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Max Z990 mode dial

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Martin H. Schwartz

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Just received my Max Z990 and it looks like a winner. I have been playing around with the settings. I find that once you set a scene or creative mode the only way to change that setting is to rotate the mode dial out of that mode and then back into it to get a display of the other scene or creative modes. Is there any way to change scene modes without having to turn the mode dial back and forth to get a display? Am I missing something that can make it easier to change or display scene or creative settings?
 
Martin H. Schwartz said:
Just received my Max Z990 and it looks like a winner. I have been playing around with the settings. I find that once you set a scene or creative mode the only way to change that setting is to rotate the mode dial out of that mode and then back into it to get a display of the other scene or creative modes. Is there any way to change scene modes without having to turn the mode dial back and forth to get a display? Am I missing something that can make it easier to change or display scene or creative settings?
Click to expand...
On older/other kodak models pressing "OK" would bring up the list of scenes for you to select one. Don't know if it will work the same on the Z990, but give it a try and see.
 
Martin,

Same thing here. As far as I know, it is the only way to do it. It's clearly missing a "None" entry within the list or a toggle action (selecting it again to disable it) .

I also checked in the Extended User Guide and nothing is mentioned about removing/disabling a mode.
 
I wonder if this shortcoming could be addressed in a firmware update. It seems ridiculous to go back and forth out of a mode just to change the setting. I also noticed that if you power off the camera in a scene mode it stays in that setting even when you power back on.
 
I sent an email to Kodak Corporate with the details of this problem. Their response was to press the OK button in scene mode and other scene modes would appear. I then sent another email stating that I and others have tried this and it doesn't work on the Max Z990 and asked them to get a supervisory technician to test this camera for this problem to see if there is a solution. Awaiting response.
 
I just received this response from Kodak Tech support, "Regrettably, Martin, the only way to change the SCN mode of your Kodak EasyShare Max camera is by turning the mode dial back and forth". I now asked them if they will issue a firmware update to fix this. I think other Z990 owners should also email them about this problem.
 
Last response from Kodak support:

"Martin, we have no information if this feature of our Kodak EasyShare digital cameras that has SCN mode like your Kodak EasyShare Max camera would be changed in the future thru a firmware upgrade. This is actually not a flaw but a design. However, we thank you for bringing this concern to our attention. We will take note of your comment. Rest assured that the concerned department will be able to read it". I think that all concerned users of this camera should email Kodak and request a firmware upgrade to solve this problem. Why would a camera be designed in this inconvenient manner?
 
I do not find it an inconvience to cycle the Mode dial out of SCN to cancel the selection. It is quick and does not require visual monitoring.

I also like that the setting does not change when the camera is powered off.
 
Typical denial. It may be "by design" but it doesn't mean the design is actually good.

In the user interface domain, this is called an "undiscoverable feature" and it should ALWAYS be avoided. The easiest and most evident interface for this would be to have the first entry in the list to be a "None" (or whatever caption fits) that can be selected exactly like the other entries.
 
Here is what Kodak says:

This firmware update: •Prevents the deletion of Share buton settings and email addresses when the internal memory is formatted.
•Improves image transfer when more than 200 images are tagged for sharing.
•Prevents the incorrect tagging of images.
•Improves user notification during processing of an Automatic Panorama image.

•Alleviates issues on subsequent USB connections if the camera was previously connected to the computer for more than 10 minutes.

Based on the above the Mode Dial is not changed. I download and installed the update. It seems to involve features that I do not have much need for.
 
This is the cut and paste from Kodak site about the upgrade for Z990, it does not seems to address any of the problems the member here complain about.

This firmware update:

Prevents the deletion of Share buton settings and email addresses when the internal memory is formatted.
Improves image transfer when more than 200 images are tagged for sharing.
Prevents the incorrect tagging of images.
Improves user notification during processing of an Automatic Panorama image.

Alleviates issues on subsequent USB connections if the camera was previously connected to the computer for more than 10 minutes.

--
chiue -
Nikon D5000 / Kodak P880 DX7590 Z915 DX6440 V803 C190
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http://www.wix.com/chiuestar/Kodak-DC

 
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