Does anybody who buys a digital camera ever read the manual.?

Lol.....one of the things that pisses me off is that, since people do NOT in fact actually read these manuals, companies hire retarded monkeys who like to smoke crack to actually write the manuals. Less than half of what you need to know is usually in the manual and it is so poorly written that it is a challenge to simply go through the manual to get a handle on all the features available. Good luck trying to find stuff if you are a newbie looking to use advanced settings.

Yes some do. And actually everyone should do.

If you are used to a particular system like Canon, then most of the features would be known and the buttons etc would be intuitive. So the dependence on the digital camera manual would be minimal. However, for some settings changes, one would need the manual.

So even if you don't read the manual end to end, keep it with you for future need.

Yes---cover to cover.

The old film cameras were pretty standard in their functions and movements. The old Nikons did have a few quirks that had to be explained...like indexing the lens each time you remounted the lens. Digital now almost requires it. There are so many "hidden" functions in the multiple menus that I really need to read the manual. Most cameras offer a quick start guide to the time challenged...for the rest of us who have the desire to know what this amazing piece of technology can do....read the manual.

Yes I have always done it, because that is the only way of understanding and fully utilizing your equipment. However it is not nessary to fully read the manual before starting using your camera. Your should be able to start using your camera after reading a few necessary pages. As the time goes on, you may read the manual and improve your skill.

Yes, cover-to-cover, just like John says. After having a few cameras, though, I may mot read it the day I get the camera and I may not read all of the footnotes, but I do end up reading it - eventually. I don't read the charts that tell you how many images will fit on a memory card, for instance, but I do run through the menu charts. I want to know what my camera can do or if there are any shortcuts for the same results.

Stan,

Does anybody read the manual for anything they buy? I've made a very good living as a Sales Engineer just because I can read an Index and a Table of Contents. Seems thats an extremely difficult task for many. I for one am not inclined to change that, because I make good money from the masses who don't want to read.

Entirely depends on how they will use the camera. While most features and functionalities of the digital camera are very standard (such as the location of the shutter button and the viewfinder), some read the manual to find out how to do special functions like zooming, using macro and infinity, or how to change camera modes (e.g. sepia, white balance, etc).

Only when I need to do something I think the system is capable of, but am unable to do currently.

Otherwise many cameras are made to be used intuitively, and do not require the manual to be read, unless you are stuck with a FAQ or technical question.

The manual is a great resource and it gives you full creative control within the means of your camera!

I just got the Sony H2 great camera and its so difficult i have to read it, i have owned 5 cameras so far but with this one i need to.