Poorly-written Instruction Manual for Sony Cyber-shot

[lucky1]

Sorry to plug up the pipe today, but just have to rant...

Finally retired my old HP 1.3 MP digital when I received a Sony Cybershot 6.0.
I was so excited to get it.

But, man oh man, feel like a total dumb-ass 'coz the instruction manual is so hard to follow, disjointed, poorly written and, frankly, leaves a whole lot of stuff to ASSUME.
The Hewlett Packard instruction book was FABULOUS for dummies like me.

Finally got so frustrated today (trying to DELETE images on the camera...still can't figure it out) that I emailed Sony and told them to fire the rocket-scientist who wrote that thing and hire a Hewlett Packard writer.

There...now I feel better! I think.
Barb

[Alchris]

But it's still a Sony.

And owning one is a privilege.

The same ADD sufferer must have written the manual for our Nikon 4800. I have pretty much figured out how to use it in the past 2 1/2 years. There isn't a mark on the manual and I haven't seen it in 2 years 5 months.

Once you figure out how to use it the pictures are going to be WOW.

Allen

[lucky1]

Hey Allen, a privilege???? really ????

Wow, I'd have thought Nikon would have their s**t together....guess not.
Oh no, it'll take ME 2.5 years too.

I got a reply from Sony, they suggested I download their 96 page Cyber-shot handbook (why wasn't it in the package?) I was using the 28-page instruction manual. Dumb me, I should've known that wouldn't be enough pages to learn

Thanks for the reply, now I don't feel too STOOPID.

I am using it now...today's pics are SONY...here we go (if it doesn't bomb).
Banana replanted pic on the other thread.
Thanks.
Barb

[turtile]

All their cameras are easy to operate. I think the instructions go to far in detail when people want to quickly operate a P&S camera. They show techniques in the instructions that may make it look harder to operate than it really is.

I think both Sony and Nikon write good instrutions but they need to make a quick setup page.

[lucky1]

OK that's encouraging for me. Thanks.
But nobody writes instructions like Hewlett Packard.
My kind of folks!
Barb

[tropicman]

I have a old FD91 sony,never made it thru the instruction book way to confusing to me,so I just played around with it until I figured how to take pics and videos,also has a voice memo,and you can copy to another floppy disk with it,I've been thinking about getting a new digi camera,anyone have any favorite one that is very very easy to operate????
One with a card reader,so I don't have to use a floppy disk anymore.

[lucky1]

Ha ha, Don, now we've scared you, huh?

In my view, anything "chip" is pretty complicated...because of all it can do.
But that's also the good thing, too.

Don, near you is there a camera mart (kinda like the Canadian London Drugs outlets) where they stock every camera and will give good advice?

I find one thing leads to another...old camera to new...my old HP smartdisk now obsolete...with my Multi Card Reader. And a Samsung photo printer so I don't have to head into the photo shop....one thing leads to the next. Oh, and I got a new computer in November, plus new software...it never bloody ends.

The Sony Cybershot takes good pics (once I let it...) but based on the 96 page handbook, and 28 page instruction manual, I'd give a 15-year old $20 to show you how to use it!

Barb

[tropicman]

Now you have scared me,talking to the techs at the store on cameras,you know they just want to sell you a camera!!!
I'd like to use one for a while,sort of a test run,to see if I like it before I spend the big bucks again on a caMERA!!!

[lucky1]

I didn't want to scare you.
It's ME...I'm beyond learning new stuff anymore.
That's why I'm retired...so I can just have fun.

My camera might be easy for YOU!
You make a good point, Don, but I doubt there's a "try it for a week" plan anywhere.

After you've talked to neighbours and friends about what they use and whether they like it, I would suggest being
really frank with a salesperson...

I'd basically say "I will probably buy a camera here BUT I'm doing a bit of research to find out which one can do the MOST I want--obviously--for the lowest price".

If he/she doesn't seem laid-back and understanding, move on (at their loss). There's no point buying a camera that can zoom to the moon if you're not into astrology/astronomy.

Want a BIG CHUCKLE????
Remember the 28 page instruction manual? And the 96 page Sony Cyber-shot handbook?
Well I tried to print it all today. Came back...and the print cartridge was fried.
Oh, it had printed 96 pages (but only 27 had ink on them).
I give up.
Barb

[tropicman]

Your right about sales people you must be frank with them!

My printer prints everything you don't want and never the things you do want,always low or out of ink,right now it's out of
color ink,and I think black ink too!

[turtile]

Never listen to people in the stores. On average, I'd say about 85% of the people haven't a clue what they talking about. Many stores will push the brands they get the most resale value from.

Do you have Sony outlet stores in Canada? They sell refurbished products for 30%-50% off the retail price. They may or may not have a lot of cameras. I live near one of them.

[lucky1]

We obviously have the same make.

What is it with "things that plug in" lately, anyway???
I'm ready to go back to clay tablets.
Barb

[lucky1]

oh, turtile should'a talked to you ages ago.
Yes there's a Sony store in Kelowna, just 35 miles south.

Re your resale value comment, I've also heard items are pushed hard when the manufacturer offers the retailer huge rebate cheques...the dirty side of business, eh?

If you ever SEE a Sony instruction manual, run.
I'll take Hewlett Packard anytime for writing instructions.
Barb

[turtile]

Sony Outlets are different than Sony Stores. Outlets only sell refurbished products at low prices.

[lucky1]

OK I get it. Nope, don't have one.
Barb

[turtile]

They have an online store:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSH ... ony_outlet

[lucky1]

Thanks that's where I found their instruction manual (28 pages)
and handbook (96 pages)...
Most of it reads like an insurance policy.
Barb