Fujifilm Discovery 290 Zoom
Posted 7-21-'03
This camera manual library is for reference
and historical purposes, all rights reserved.
This page is copyright© by   M. Butkus, NJ.
This page may not be sold or distributed without
the expressed permission of the producer
I have no connection with any camera company

On-line camera manual library

Back to main on-line manual page

If you find this manual useful,
how about a donation of $3 to:

M. Butkus, 29 Lake Ave.,
High Bridge, NJ 08829-1701
and send your e-mail address
so I can thank you. 
Most other places would charge
you $7.50 for a electronic copy
or $18.00 for a hard to read Xerox copy.

This will help me to continue to host this site,
buy new manuals, and pay their shipping costs.

It'll make you feel better, won't it ?
If you use Pay Pal, use the link below.
Use the above address for a check, M.O. or cash.

This manual will show you how to use your camera correctly. Please follow the instructions carefully.

CONTENTS

NAMES OF PARTS

(1) Strap Lug (2) Shutter Release (3) Autofocus Windows (4) Finder Window (5) Liquid Crystal Display (6) Flash Lampface (7) Red-eye Reducing Lamp (8) Lens Cover Button (Power Switch) (9) AE Light Sensor (10) Lens (11) Zoom Button (wide) (12) Zoom Button (tele) (13) Remote Control Sensor (14) Self-timer/Remote Control Lamp  (15) Self-timer/Remote Control Button  (16) Exposure Mode Button

(17) Finder Eyepiece  (18) Autofocus Lamp  (19) Camera Back  (20) Date display Window (for the dating model only)  (21) Date Mode/Select Button (for the dating model only)  (22) Date Set Button (for the dating model only) (23) Battery Compartment Cover  (24) Camera Back  (25) Lock Film Confirmation Window  (26) Mid-roll Rewind Button  (27) Tripod Socket  (28) Self-timer Mode Sign (29) Exposure Counter Number (30) Red-eye Reducing Flash Mode Sign  (31) Remote Control Mode Sign  (32) Flash Mode Sign

SPECIAL FEATURES

· A fully automatic 35 mm compact zoom camera 
1. High Quality 38-9Omm Autofocus zoom. 
2. Drop-in Film Loading. 
3. Film Pre-winding. 
4. Red-eye Reduction 
5. Automatic Flash. 
6. Large Viewfinder. 
7. Date or Time Printing Capability (for the dating model only).

I. BASIC PROCEDURE

LOAD THE BATTERY

· Use one 3V CR123A lithium battery.

· A new lithium battery will provide power for taking about 400 pictures, including 200 with flash (as tested according to Fujifilm's battery testing procedure).

1. Open the battery compartment cover (Fig. 1)
Push the Cover's grained part up (toward the camera back) and open the Cover toward you.

2. Insert the battery (Fig. 2)
Insert the battery in the Battery Compartment, minus (-) end first, then press in the plus (+) end and close the Battery Compartment Cover.

3. Check the loaded battery (Fig. 3)
Push the Lens Cover Button downward. If the Lens Cover opens and the lens barrel moves out into shooting position (wideangle), the battery is loaded correctly.

· If the Flash Sign ( *** ) in the LCD blinks for 12 seconds or more after taking a flash picture, the battery is spent. Change the battery with a new one as soon as possible.

· Always reset the date after changing the battery (for the dating model only)

· If you are going on a trip or are planning to take lots of pictures, take a spare battery along with you just in case you might need it. This is especially true if you are travailing abroad because in some countries you may not be able to obtain the type of battery you want.

CLICK HERE FOR FIGURES 1 TO 6

USING THE DATA (OR TIME) PRINTING UNIT

This section applies only to the model with a dating unit.
1. Printing dates (or time) on your pictures (Fig. 4) M... Stands for month (Fig. 4-A)

To change the order of the year, month, and day press in the Date Mode/Select Button Q. The order will change as shown above. The date Showing in the Date Display Window is the date that will be printed in the bottom right of your picture.

If you don't want dates on your pictures, bring out the Dating Unit Off sign (-- -- --) in the Date Display Window.

· After changing the Camera battery, always check and reset the date (or time).

2. Correcting the date (Fig. 5)

PRINT... Printing Mark (Fig. 5-A)

( 1 ) Make the number for the year blink by pressing in the Date Mode/Select Button (1)
(2) Change the blinking number to the one you want by pressing in the Date Set Button (2).
(3) Make the next number (the number for the month) blink by pressing in the Date Mode/ Select Button again then correct the number with the Date Set Button.
(4) After correcting the number for the "minute" press in the Date Mode/Select Button to bring out the "PRINTS" sign in the Date Display Window. The Dating Unit is now ready for printing.

· Your camera's quartz date-printing unit has an auto-calendar that is designed to function up through the year 2020 The Dates (or time) are represented by the following numbers: 
Year: 89 20   Hour: 0 - 23 
Month: 1 -12 Minute: 00 - 59 
Day: 1 - 31

· The year, month, and day are interlocked with the hour and minute.

· When the shutter is released to take your picture the "PRINT" sign in the Date Display Window will blink for about two seconds to tell you the date has been printed on it.

ATTACH THE STRAP (Fig. 6)
Pass the looped end of the strap through the camera's Strap Lug, then pass the other end of the strap through the loop and pull it firmly.

LOAD THE FILM

1. Open the camera back (Fig. 7)
To open, hold the camera bottom side up and push the Camera Back Lock downward.

2. Insert the film (Fig. 8)
Just push the film gently into the Film Chamber.

· Do not open the Camera Back all the way. It is normally set to open about 15° or just enough to drop the film in smoothly and surely.

· Film with a *** mark (Advanced photo system) on it cannot be used.

· Always use your film before the expiration date printed on the film box.

3. Check the film tip position (Fig. 9)
Make sure the film tip falls within the Film Tip Mark (green lines in the far end of the film track).

4. Close the camera back (Fig. 10)
As soon as you close the Camera Back, the Exposure Counter will run though rapidly and the film will prewind itself up to the very end. (If the film is a 24-exposure roll, it will prewind itself in about 20 seconds and the Exposure Counter will stop at the number "24").

· If the film leader (the length of film protruding from the cartridge) is too short or too long, however, you'll have to adjust it before dropping the cartridge into the camera. To adjust, pull the film out or wind it in so that the film tip will fall within the camera's Film Tip Mark (green lines).

· The Film Confirmation Window will show the type and speed of the loaded film and the number of exposures it contains.
 

TAKING PICTURES

1. Turn on the power (Fig. 11)
To turn it on, press the Power Switch downward.
The Lens Cover will automatically open and the Lens will move out into shooting position. If the Lens is in retracted position, the shutter won't trip.

2. Standard 35 mm size covering area (Fig. 12)

· Parallax Correction Mark (Fig. 12-A)

· Bright Frame (Fig. 12-B)

You'll get in your picture everything you see within the Bright Frame. But if you are shooting your subject form about 1.2 meters away or closer, you'll get in your picture only the area falling within the Parallax Correction Mark.

3. Zooming to telephoto (Fig. 13)
To zoom to telephoto, press in the upper Zoom Button. The size of the Finder image will change with the movement of the Lens.

· Do not block the Lens or apply pressure to it while it is zooming.

· If the camera is left for approximately 5 minutes with the Power Switch on, the lens is retracted automatically, the liquid crystal display goes off, and the camera's power goes off. If the power switch is turned off, then again, the camera is again set ready for photographing.

4. Zooming to wide angle (Fig. 14)
To zoom to wide angle, press in the lower Zoom button.

5. Hold the camera still (Fig. 15)
When taking pictures, hold the camera still with both hands (camera shake can result in fuzzy pictures).
To shoot with the camera held vertically, position the Flash side up.

· Before pressing down the Shutter Release, take your finger off the Zoom Button.

· Keep your fingers and camera strap away from the Lens, Autofocus Windows, and Flash Lampface.


6. Aim the autofocus spot at your subject (Fig. 16)
· Autofocus Spot (Fig. 16-A)

Aim the Autofocus Spot at your subject. Make sure your subject fills the Finder's Autofocus Spot completely.


7. Press the shutter release about halfway down (Fig. 17)
If the Autofocus Lamp (green lamp next to the finder Eyepiece) turns on and glows when the Shutter Release is pressed about halfway down the Lens has completed focusing. But if you are too close to your subject, the Autofocus Lamp will blink to warn you to move back.

· The Autofocus Lamp will blink if you are too close to your subject. If it blinks, check the camera-to-subject distance once again.

· When you press the Shutter Release about halfway down, do it slowly and gently.

8. Take your picture (Fig. 18)
To take your picture, press the Shutter Release gently all the way down. As soon as the shutter trips, the film will automatically advance into position for the next shot.

· The number in the film counter decreases by one each time a frame is exposed.

· The AF lamp (or self-timer Lamp) will extinguish once and reappear immediately after the shutter is released.

· The shooting distance is 0.65 m - 00 at f=90 mm (0.9 m - 00 at other focal lengths).

· Though rarely, the Lens may not be able to focus itself sharply in the following situations. To take your picture, you'll have to use the Autofocus Lock (see page 17).

(1) If there is a very bright light shining in the vicinity of your subject, such as blazing streaks of sunlight, dazzling light reflections from the windshield of a car, etc.

(2) If your subject is a black object, such as a bunch of black hair, which cannot reflect enough light.

(3) If you are shooting through a glass window.

(4) If there is a strongly reflecting object, such as a mirror or shiny piece of metal, near the center of your subject.

END OF FILM

· Your camera will expose the film frames in descending order, starting from the highest numbered frame, and rewind each frame into its cartridge as soon as it is exposed.

· You can unload the film as soon as the last frame (frame No. 1) is exposed and the camera motor comes to a halt because there is no need to rewind it.

1. After exposing the last frame (Fig. 19)
As soon as the last frame (frame No. 1 ) is exposed, the Exposure Counter will switch from "0" to "E" and the camera motor will come to a halt.

2. Unload the exposed film (Fig. 20)
Make sure the Exposure Counter is showing the "E" sign then open the Camera Back and take the film out.

· Unloading the film in mid-roll (Fig. 21)
With the tip of a ball-point pen or something similar, press in the Mid-roll Rewind Button. Wait until the Exposure Counter shows the "E" sign and the camera motor comes to a halt, then take the film out.

· Do not use anything with too sharp a point to press in the Mid-roll Rewind Button.

· If the Camera Back is accidentally opened in mid-roll, close it quickly, wait until the film winds itself back into its cartridge, then it out. All the exposed frames, except the last, will be saved.

· If the film is unloaded before the Exposure Counter shows the "E" sign, the next roll you load will immediately wind itself back into its cartridge and the Exposure Counter will blink continuously (see page 22). 

II. ADVANCED TECHNIQUES - USING THE AUTOFOCUS LOCK

1. This is the picture you want but.... (Fig. 22) the Autofocus Spot is off your subject. It means the Lens is not focused on your subject.

2. Move the camera slightly and.... (Fig. 23) aim the Autofocus Spot so that it covers some part of your subject, then press the Shutter Release about halfway down (to lock the focus) and make sure the Autofocus Lamp (focusing completed signal) has turned on.

3. While pressing the shutter release about halfway down... (Fig. 22) move the camera back to its original position recompose your picture, then take it by pressing the Shutter Release all the way down.

· The autofocus Lock can be used as many times as necessary before tripping the shutter.

SELECTING THE EXPOSURE MODE

· A word on the camera's flash exposure modes Each time you press in the Exposure Mode Button, the exposure mode setting will switch in the order shown below:

Auto flash (No sign), Red-eye Reducing *** Fill-in Flash ( *** ) and Flash off *** mode.

· Effective flash range
(Using color negative film; distance in meters). The effective range of your camera's built-in flash will differ with the speed of the film you are using and the lens focal length as shown below.

(Using color negative film: units; m)

Taking ordinary pictures

1. Automatic-flash mode in low light (Fig. 24)

If you don't see any sign in area "A" of the LCD (see illustration) and the light is low, the Flash will automatically fire when you press down the Shutter Release. And as soon as the blinking Flash Sign ( ) in the LCD turns off, you can take your next autoflash picture.

If you want your subject's eyes to look natural and beautiful...

2. Red-eye reducing mode (Fig. 25)
 

Bring out the Red-eye Reducing Mode Sign   in the LCD by pressing in the Exposure Mode Button, then take your picture.

· The red-eye reducing mode setting will remain on ever after you turn off the power.

· The Autofocus Lamp (next to the Finder Eyepiece) will turn on the moment the Red-eye Reducing Lamp turns on then turn off the instant the Flash fires. Be sure to hold the camera still while the Autofocus Lamp is on.

· A word on red-eye effect
When you photograph a person's face in dim light with Flash, the eyes will sometimes turn out red in the picture. This is because the light from the Flash enters the person's eyes and is reflected back into the camera lens. To reduce the chances of getting red-eye pictures, observe the following rules:
 

(1) Take your picture with the camera set to the Red-eye Reducing Mode.

(2) Ask your subject to stare at the camera.

(3) Bring the camera up as close as possible to your subject.

To take backlighted pictures of subjects against a window or in the shade of a tree...

3. Fill-in flash mode (Fig. 26)

Bring out the Flash Sign ( ) in the LCD by pressing in the Exposure Mode Button. The Flash will now fire even in bright sunlight.

Taking non-flash pictures

4. Flash off mode (Fig. 27)
Bring out the Flash Off Sign in the LCD by pressing in the Exposure Mode Button, then take your non-flash (existing light) picture.

· The flash mode settings will remain on until you switch them off by closing the Lens Cover.
 

· To take stage scenes and indoor sports events that are beyond reach of the camera's built-in flash, shoot with the Flash turned off (flash off mode).
· When shooting in the flash off mode, keep-the camera as still as possible by mounting it on a tripod.

USING THE SELF-TIMER
1. Set the self-timer (Fig. 28)
To set the Self-timer, press in the Self-timer/ Remote Control Button () to bring out the triangular mark ( ) in the LCD in the spot where the Self-timer Sign () is showing.

2. Start the Self-timer (Fig. 29)
To start it, press down the Shutter Release. The Lens will automatically focus on the part of your subject that is covered by the Finder's Autofocus Spot.

· When you start the Self-timer, do not stand in front of the camera. If you do, you will either throw the Lens out of focus or the picture may turn out underexposed.
· The Self-timer has to be reset each time you take a picture.
· To switch off the Self-timer, turn off the triangular mark () in the LCD by pressing in the Self timer Button a second time.

3. Wait 10 seconds As soon as the Self-timer start, the Self-timer/ Remote Control Lamp will turn on and glow for seven seconds, then blink for three seconds, then the shutter will trip to take your picture.
 

USING THE REMOTE CONTROL SWITCH
· If the Remote Control Switch is not included with your camera, you'll have to buy it separately.
· Remote control switch (Fig. 30)
· Switch Muzzle (Fig. 30-A)
· Shutter Operating Button (Fig. 30-B)

1. Take out the remote control switch (Fig. 31) 
To take it out its holder, just side it out. To insert it in its holder, slide it in until it stops with a click.

· Switch Holder (Fig. 31-A)

2. Set the camera to remote control (Fig. 32) 
Press in the Self-timer/Remote Control Mode Button to bring out the triangular mark ( ) in the LCD in the spot where the Remote Control Sign   is showing.

3. Take your remote control picture (Fig. 33)
Aim the Autofocus Spot at your subject and compose your picture. Face the Switch Muzzle toward the camera and press down the Shutter
Operating Button. The Self-timer/Remote Control Lamp will blink for two seconds then the shutter will trip to take your picture.

· After taking your picture, switch the camera off the remote control mode.

· Take your picture within five minutes after seeing the camera to the remote control mode.

· For best results, mount the camera on a tripod when taking remote control pictures.

· Be careful when taking against-the-light pictures because the Remote Control Switch may not function if direct light enters the camera's Remote Control Sensor. You may have to use the Self-timer in such cases.

· The Remote Control Switch's battery will last about three years (as tested according to Fujifilm's battery testing procedure). If the battery runs out, you can always ask your dealer to replace it for you.
 

4. Effective switch range (Fig. 34)
The effective range of the Remote Control Switch is about five meters when held directly in front of the camera, and up to 3.5 meters when aimed at the camera at a 20° angle from all sides (left, right, above, and below).

· Carrying the remote control switch (Fig. 35)
Just pass the camera strap though the groove (see arrow in the illustration) in the Switch Holder and carry it together with the camera.


CAMERA FAULTS, POSSIBLE CAUSES, AND REMEDIES

CAMERA CARE AND CAUTIONS

1. Your camera is a precision instrument which requires careful handling. Do not wet it, drop it on the floor, or subject it to any other type of strong shock.

2. If you are not using your camera for a long interval, keep it where it will be safe from heat, dust, and moisture.

3. Remove soil and dust from the lens glass, autofocus windows, and finder window with an air blower and by wiping lightly with a piece of soft, lint-free cloth. If that is not enough, wipe off gently with Lens Cleaning Paper moistened slightly with Lens Cleaning Fluid. Never use solvents, such as alcohol or benzine, to clean your camera.

4. In hot weather, do not leave your camera in a closed compartment of your car, or on an ocean beach, and in moist places except temporarily for a very short time.

5. In case of malfunction, consult your camera dealer. Do not disassemble the camera yourself because it is equipped with high-tension circuits.

6. Never dismantle the camera's lithium battery, heat it, throw it into a fire, charge it, or cause it to short circuit.

7. This camera is designed for use within a temperature range of -10 to +40°C.

SPECIFICATIONS

. Film: 135 (35 mm) DX roll film.

. Picture Size: Standard 35 mm size: 24 x 36 mm.

. Lens: Fujinon zoom lens, power zoom, f=38-90 mm, 1:5.0 - 10.5, 5 components, 5 elements.

. Finder: Albada zoom finder, 0.4-0.86X magnification, bright frame, autofocus spot, parallax correction mark, autofocus lamp (next to finder eyepiece).

. Focusing: Active type auto focusing from 0.65 m - 00 (at f=90 mm), 0.9 m - 00 at other focal lengths, provided with autofocus lock.

. Autofocus Lamp: Turns on and glows when subject is in sharp focus, blinks when subject is too close.

. Shutter Programmed: electronic shutter.

. Exposure Control: Automatic, W: EV 10.25 (9~)-17 (ISO 100) T: EV 13.5 (9')-17 (ISO 100), ( indicates values for flash off mode).

. Film Speed Setting: Automatic with ISO 50-1600 OX roll film.

. Film Loading:  Drop-in system, automatic threading.

. Film Advance: Automatic (motorized), film prewind system, rewinding unnecessary, provision for mid-roll rewinding.

. LCD Signs: Exposure counter, flash mode signs (flash charging, red-eye reducing, fill-in flash, and flash off signs), self-timer mode and remote control mode signs.

. Flash: Autoflash, red-eye reducing, fill-in flash, and flash off modes, electronically controlled flashmatic exposure control, about 5 sec. recycle time.

. Date Printing: Unit (for the dating model only) Four mode (year month day, month day year, day month year, day hour minute) quartz dating unit, effective up through the year 2020, provision for shooting in the date off mode, draws power form the camera's battery.

. Self-timer:  Electronically controlled, about 10 sec. delay, can be switched off in mid-run, provided with countdown lamp

. Power Source:  One CR123A lithium battery or comparable battery.

. Remote Control Switch:  Infrared system, operates camera shutter, about 5 m effective range from camera front (available as camera accessory or separately).

. Others:  Built-in lens cover (lens cover serves as safety lock when closed), film confirmation window, tripod socket, provision for remote control shutter release.

. Dimensions and Weight:  Camera: 125 x 76 x 50.5 mm, 258 g. (without battery)

Notice: Specifications are subject to change without notice.