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No hard copy of manual with SX30 IS, file sent to commercial printer

Started Jan 10, 2012 | Discussions
fatfreek New Member • Posts: 16
No hard copy of manual with SX30 IS, file sent to commercial printer

I bought my camera through Amazon and am disappointed there was no hard copy guide inside. I think there was supposed to be a cd guide inside the box but that wouldn't have helped when in the field -- which is what I want.

I've had the manual downloaded (some 12 MB) for a time and that is good. Some 196 pages. I tried to print it but was having problems with size (5.8" tall length max) being somewhat small. So I sent the file to a local printer hoping he can handle it, printing both sides of sheet to keep total pages down to 98.

One problem. The few pages I did print (the first 4) prints a rectangular text box across each page center with "COPY" inside. I told the printer about that and he says that the manual probably is copywrited and that sometimes the originating company does that.

Wow! Talk about obstacles in order to have a printed field guide for which I'll have to pay some $30.

Len

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Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
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archiebald Senior Member • Posts: 1,499
Re: No hard copy of manual with SX30 IS, file sent to commercial printer

All Canon cameras that I ever bought come with the software CD which includes the full instruction manual. If it wasn't in the box then you need to dsicuss this with your retailer.

Generally, there is also a quick reference guide which is probably all you will need.

As for the "COPY" watermark. The version on the original CD does not have it. It only exists on "copies" that have been downloaded from the Canon website.

If you print the manual on A4 paper using booklet format, you will get 4 pages per piece of paper (A5 size) then it is a simple matter to bind it.

On the other hand, you could load the pdf onto your Android phone, use ezPDF Reader or similar and you'll always have the manual in your pocket.

fatfreek wrote:

I bought my camera through Amazon and am disappointed there was no hard copy guide inside. I think there was supposed to be a cd guide inside the box but that wouldn't have helped when in the field -- which is what I want.

I've had the manual downloaded (some 12 MB) for a time and that is good. Some 196 pages. I tried to print it but was having problems with size (5.8" tall length max) being somewhat small. So I sent the file to a local printer hoping he can handle it, printing both sides of sheet to keep total pages down to 98.

One problem. The few pages I did print (the first 4) prints a rectangular text box across each page center with "COPY" inside. I told the printer about that and he says that the manual probably is copywrited and that sometimes the originating company does that.

Wow! Talk about obstacles in order to have a printed field guide for which I'll have to pay some $30.

Len

OP fatfreek New Member • Posts: 16
Re: No hard copy of manual with SX30 IS, file sent to commercial printer

Hi Archie,

Thanks for those tips. I'll get back to Amazon on the CD. It could be the camera I had was sent back by a previous owner who forgot to put the CD back in the box.

Len

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Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
archiebald Senior Member • Posts: 1,499
Re: No hard copy of manual with SX30 IS, file sent to commercial printer

fatfreek wrote:

Hi Archie,

Thanks for those tips. I'll get back to Amazon on the CD. It could be the camera I had was sent back by a previous owner who forgot to put the CD back in the box.

Len

You really need it as it has Camera Window, DPP and Zoombrowser software on it.

Zoombrowser you can live without but Camera Window allows you to download images by connecting the camera to your PC and DPP allows you to edit RAW images.

Hank3152
Hank3152 Forum Pro • Posts: 13,499
Here's an alternative......

Why not just a cheat sheet?.....it's laminated and portable.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/741545-REG/PhotoBert_TC119_10_CheatSheet_for_Canon_Powershot.html

-- hide signature --

Regards,
Hank

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Canon PowerShot S95 Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EOS-1D Mark IV Canon EF 300mm f/4.0L IS USM Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM +5 more
OP fatfreek New Member • Posts: 16
Re: No hard copy of manual with SX30 IS, file sent to commercial printer

Ooooh! Thanks for that. I'm looking forward to those goodies, in addition to the user guide.

I talked with the Amazon folks yesterday and surprisingly had me call J&R Camera (that's who shipped it) to resolve the issue.

They, in turn, hooked me directly to Canon. The CD will be in the mail shortly.

Len

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Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
OP fatfreek New Member • Posts: 16
Hmmmm .... no disrespect but I've got one.

Hi Hank and thank you,

I have one of those in my hand so I'm not certain it's the one you're talking about. It's by Bert Sirkin.

To be fair, there was a tremendous amount of effort to place all that information on both halves of a sheet of paper (laminated). However, I'm embarrassed to admit that I've picked it up and put it back down with frustration more times than I care to admit.

I may changed my mind but I really like the user guide, 196 pages -- the one I downloaded and which is the subject of this post. I think if I have a spline-bound printed version in my camera case it will suit my needs somewhat better. It has a good table of contents and is well-indexed to key words. Plus, the tables on pp 182-186 are indispensable. I'm thinking of having several copies of those in my bag in order to quickly return to favorites of my own for various situations.

Len

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Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
RDCollins
RDCollins Senior Member • Posts: 1,194
Re: No hard copy of manual with SX30 IS, file sent to commercial printer

When printing the PDF, change the "size" setting to "fit" and it will expand the page to fill the 8.5 x 11 paper.

As for the "COPY" watermark, that's not on the version of the file on the CD that comes with the camera.
--
Doug Collins
Hermosa Beach, California

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Sony a6400 Sony E 50mm F1.8 OSS Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 OSS Sony E 10-18mm F4 OSS Sony E 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 PZ OSS +2 more
archiebald Senior Member • Posts: 1,499
Re: No hard copy of manual with SX30 IS, file sent to commercial printer

RDCollins wrote:

As for the "COPY" watermark, that's not on the version of the file on the CD that comes with the camera.

Why do people find the need to repeat things so much in these forums? This was commented on in the first reply to the OP.

Is it because some people are still using the archaic threaded view. Really need to get rid of that.

OP fatfreek New Member • Posts: 16
Re: No hard copy of manual with SX30 IS, file sent to commercial printer

archiebald wrote:

RDCollins wrote:

As for the "COPY" watermark, that's not on the version of the file on the CD that comes with the camera.

Why do people find the need to repeat things so much in these forums? This was commented on in the first reply to the OP.

Is it because some people are still using the archaic threaded view. Really need to get rid of that.

Hmmm ... thanks for alerting us newbies to the flat view, which I'm now using. I will use it from now on.
Len

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Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
OP fatfreek New Member • Posts: 16
Good news and bad news

I called Canon today (again) asking for a correct replacement CD since the one they sent is for the S(5, functionally less than the SX30. The male rep apologized but conceded that they don't have a CD specifically for the SX30. He said the other software on the S95 disk should be okay.

As to the manual in PDF, they will print out a hard copy for me, then ship it. She (the female rep) says it will be on 8 1/2 x 11 paper as they no longer make it available in the smaller size.

This is a bummer as I wanted it sized to fit in my field case. Push comes to shove and I may have the printer make a reduced set of copies, then spline bind it.

Len

ps: I asked him if he could email me the PDF so I could save Canon the printing and shipping expense, then arrange for my own reduced size printing and he said he doesn't have an email address.

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Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
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