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We recommend that first-time users of the Canon PowerShot A5 start by consulting the Quick Start Guide. Read this guide for additional details about the use and functions of the Canon PowerShot A5. This guide presents ENGLISH individual explanations of each camera function.
Table of Contents Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category ... Handling and Safety Precautions ... Guide to Components ... Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 ... Image Size and Quality Specifications ... Power On/Off Switch ... Power Save Function ...
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Digital Printer CD-200 ... Troubleshooting ... List of Message Codes ... List of Messages ... Specifications ... Appendix A: Canon Battery Pack NB-5H ... Appendix B: Canon Compact Power Adapter ... Appendix C: CompactFlash™ Card ... Index ... Canon Customer Support ...
Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category Shooting Flash photography with humans or animals as subjects ... How to aim the camera at your subject to improve the focus ... How to adjust the exposure setting (Exposure Compensation) ... How to compensate for a backlight subject ... How to compensate for a subject in shadow ...
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Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category continued...2/4 What to do if the image is too bright ... What to do if the image is too dark ... Replaying Images Connecting the camera to a computer ... Connecting the camera to a television ... How to change the play time of images in a slide show ...
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Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category continued...3/4 Saving, Printing and Deleting Image Files About image file names ... How to change a file number ... How to delete an unwanted image ... How to mark a file for printing ... How to protect a file from accidental deletion ...
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Quick Guide to Page Numbers by Category continued...4/4 Other Topics About part names ... Accessories ... Camera components list ... How to use the Menu button ... How to use the Menu features ... How to use the Mode Dial ... How to use the Set button ...
Please ensure that you have read and understood these handling and safety precautions before you operate your PowerShot A5 Digital Camera. Once you have read the instructions on the next few pages, we recommend that you keep the camera with you and try each function as you read about it in the remaining pages.
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Immediately shut off the camera’s power switch, remove the camera battery and unplug the power adapter cord from the power socket. Please consult your camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
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In addition, never touch internal portions of the equipment that become exposed as a result of damage. There is a risk of high-voltage electrical shock. Please take the first opportunity to consult your camera distributor or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk.
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Handling and Safety Precautions continued...4/7 • Do not handle the power adapter cord if your hands are wet or moist. Handling the power adapter cord with wet hands may lead to electrical shock. When unplugging the cord, ensure that you hold the rigid portion of the plug. Pulling on the flexible portion of the cord may damage or expose the wire and insulation, creating the potential for fires or electrical shocks.
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Handling and Safety Precautions continued...5/7 • Avoid dropping or subjecting the battery to severe impacts that could damage the casing. It could lead to leakage and injury. • Do not short-circuit the battery terminals with metallic objects, such as key holders. It could lead to overheating, burns and other injuries.
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Handling and Safety Precautions continued...6/7 • Do not trigger the flash in close proximity to human or animal eyes. Exposure to the intense light produced by the flash may injure eyesight. In particular, remain at least one meter (39 inches) away from infants when using the flash. •...
Handling and Safety Precautions continued...7/7 Preventing Malfunctions Avoid Strong Magnetic Fields Never place the camera in close proximity to electric motors or other equipment generating strong electric fields. Exposure to strong magnetic fields may cause malfunctions or corrupt image data. Avoid Condensation Related Problems Moving the equipment rapidly between hot and cold temperatures may cause condensation (water droplets) to form on its external and internal surfaces.
Guide to Components • Shutter Button p. 24 • Strap Holder Quick Start Guide p. • Lens • Viewfinder p. 22 • Indicators p. 23 • LCD panel • Viewfinder p. 22 • Autofocus (AF) Auxiliary Light Emitter • Display Panel p.
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Guide to Components continued...2/2 • Macro/Jump Button • MENU Button • SET Button • VIDEO Terminal • DIGITAL Terminal p. 28 p. 29, 43 p. 30, 43 p. 55 p. 56 • CF Card Slot Cover • Lock for CF Card Slot Cover Quick Start Guide p.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 Image Size and Quality Specifications The PowerShot A5 can take pictures with the following screen sizes and qualities. Compression Size/Quality Format Large/Fine (1024 x 768) JPEG High Quality 180 KB Large/Normal (1024 x 768) JPEG Normal...
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued... 2/13 Power On/Off Switch The camera’s power is turned on and off with the Mode Dial. The power is off when the dial is set to the L (Lock) position and on when set in any other position.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued... 3/13 Camera Modes The PowerShot A5 features six operating modes that can be selected with the Mode Dial. : Auto Mode Auto mode is for taking standard pictures. The focus, exposure and white balance settings as well as the flash are automati- cally selected or activated by the camera.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...4/13 Display Panel The Display Panel on the camera top shows the status of camera settings, battery levels and the approximate number of images that can be stored in the CF card at the current size and quality settings.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...5/13 Viewfinder The camera is equipped with an optical viewfinder for image composition. • In Macro mode (photographic subject 9- 50 cm from the lens), the actual area shot by the lens is slightly lower than the area shown in the viewfinder.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...6/13 Indicators Two indicators appear to the left of the viewfinder. These lights shine or flash when the shutter button is pressed to confirm various actions and camera modes. Upper Indicator Lower Indicator Upper Indicator...
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...7/13 Shutter Button The camera features a two-stage shutter button. Pressing Halfway Press the shutter button halfway to automati- cally set the focus, exposure and white balance to the optimal setting. When the camera finishes metering, it will beep and lock the shutter.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...8/13 Pressing Fully Pressing the shutter button all the way down captures an image and stores the data on the CF card. • When an image is captured, a single beep will sound and the upper indicator will flash green while the data is stored on the CF card.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...9/13 • mark indicates the Continuous mode. The camera will record up to 15 frames in rapid succession as long as the shutter button is depressed and sufficient memory is free. The images are stored at the small size.
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Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...10/13 reducing the potential for reflections back from the retinas. When shooting in the Red-Eye Reduc- tion mode, press the shutter button halfway and wait a moment before pressing it fully. If the interval between...
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...11/13 Macro/Jump Button In Auto, Program or Stitch Assist mode, this button turns the Macro mode on or off. • mark indicates that the Macro mode is • In Macro mode, the lower indicator will shine orange when the Shutter Button is depressed halfway.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...12/13 LCD Button This button turns the LCD panel on or off in the Auto and Program modes. In the Play and Multi modes, the button turns the Video Output function on or off.
Basic Functions of the PowerShot A5 continued...13/13 SET Button This button selects the current menu option shown on the LCD panel. SET Button pressed MENU Button SET Button Options displayed LCD panel...
Mode Dial Functions The Mode Dial allows you to select between the various shooting and playback modes featured on the PowerShot A5. Lock The Mode Dial should be set to the Lock position when the camera is not in use. In this mode the lens cover will close and the camera power will shut off.
Mode Dial Functions continued...2/5 Program Mode In Program mode, you can manually select the Single or Continuous modes as well as the image size and quality. • You should select this mode to use the CCD RAW function (no compres- sion) for shooting.
Mode Dial Functions continued...3/5 Stitch Assist Mode What is Stitch Assist? The Stitch Assist mode is designed to make it easier to merge separate panoramic images into a single, seamless image using a compu- ter. You can shoot a photographic subject that won’t fit into a single frame, such as a landscape, and stitch it together later with a computer.
Mode Dial Functions continued...4/5 Play Mode In Play mode, you can display images from the CF card one at time on the LCD panel. • Press the + or - Button to display the next or previous recorded image. • Using the Macro/Jump Button to select the Jump mode enables you to skip to the first or last image with the + or - Buttons.
Mode Dial Functions continued...5/5 PC Mode In PC mode, you can connect to a computer to load and display images into an image processing application program. • The LCD panel will display [PC] when the camera is ready to display or load images on the computer.
Taking Pictures in Stitch Assist Mode Set the Mode Dial to the (Stitch Assist) position and follow the procedures below to merge several images into one large pano- ramic scene. In Stitch Assist mode, images can be shot in horizontal, vertical or 2x2 (matrix) sequences.
Taking Pictures in Stitch Assist Mode continued...2/6 Shooting Hints • It is convenient to use the Stitch Assist mode to quickly confirm as you shoot that successive images overlap. • When shooting images for 2x2 matrices, ensure that each frame overlaps its neighbor to prevent a gap appearing in the middle of the merged image.
Taking Pictures in Stitch Assist Mode continued...3/6 Procedures for Shooting Horizontal/Vertical Se- quences 1. Turn the Mode Dial to the Assist) position. 2. Select [Horizontal] or [Vertical] with the +/- Buttons and press the SET Button. • To change the direction, press the + Button.
Taking Pictures in Stitch Assist Mode continued...4/6 graphic subject captured by the lens. • To retake the previous image in the sequence, press the + Button before shooting the next image. The previously recorded image will be replaced by a preview of the new photographic subject captured by the lens.
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Taking Pictures in Stitch Assist Mode continued...5/6 3. Shoot the first image. After the indicator stops flashing green, the recorded image will display in the upper right, and a preview of the new photographic subject captured by the lens will appear in the lower right. 4.
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Taking Pictures in Stitch Assist Mode continued...6/6 6. Orient the camera so that the fourth image will correctly overlap a portion of the third image and take the shot. After the indicator stops flashing green, the fourth recorded image will display in the upper left, and a preview of a new photographic subject captured by the lens will appear in the position of...
Menu Features Menus can be used to select image size and quality settings (Record Menu), to select the display options, such as information formats and the Slide Show option (Play Menu), and to select date, time and other camera settings, such as the LCD panel brightness (Setup Menu).
Menu Features continued...2/13 Basic Menu Operations Menu functions are operated by the MENU, +/- and SET Buttons. MENU Button SET Button MENU Button This button turns the menu display on or off. This button also displays the previous menu when a submenu has been selected. +/- Buttons These buttons move the selection from one option to another within a menu.
No Compression • JPEG file sizes will vary between photo- graphic subjects. • Figures noted herein reflect standard shooting conditions established by Canon. • The Small and CCD RAW sizes are not available in Auto mode. File Size 180 KB...
Menu Features continued...4/13 • The CCD RAW size is not available in Stitch Assist mode. Review The Review function displays the picture on the LCD panel if you continue to press the shutter after a shot is taken. The Review function will still display the picture even when the LCD panel is turned off.
Menu Features continued...5/13 • The Exposure Compensation function can not be activated in Auto mode. Reset File No. This function resets the file number that was automatically assigned to each frame as it was recorded. A new CF card will be assigned file number 1 and previously recorded CF cards will be assigned file numbers greater than those on the new CF card.
Menu Features continued...6/13 Play Menu Pressing the MENU Button in the Play or Multi modes displays the Play Menu on the LCD panel. Show Info. This function displays information about an image, such as its shooting date and file number. •...
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Power Save function to off and use the compact power adapter to conserve the camera battery. • Only images shot with the PowerShot A5 will show the image number and total number of marked images when the Show Info function is on.
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Menu Features continued...8/13 • A Checkmark appears beside slide shows in which marked images have already been registered. • Use the +/- Buttons to scroll through images and the SET Button to mark an image. If you select the marked image and press the SET Button, the image is unmarked.
Menu Features continued...9/13 Play Time The length of time an image is displayed on the LCD panel can be set to manual (+/-) or to the 2-, 5- or 10-second settings. • With the manual setting, the slide show can be advanced forward or backward with the +/- Buttons.
Menu Features continued...10/13 • Use the +/- Buttons to scroll through images and the SET Button to protect or unlock an image. • An icon will appear next to an image that is protected. Erase This function can be used to erase image files from a CF card.
Menu Features continued...11/13 unmark an image. A checkmark is appears beside with the marked images. • Use the camera to confirm the checkmarks. The checkmarks can’t be checked or altered once the CF card is placed in the printer. • A maximum of 100 images may be marked.
Menu Features continued...12/13 Beep The beep that signals the completion of the autofocus process and the closing of the shutter can be turned on or off with this function. Power Save This option turns the Power Save function on or off. If turned on, the camera will automati- cally powerdown if left unused for several minutes in any mode.
Menu Features continued...13/13 Format This function enables you to format a CF card for use with the camera. • Please note that formatting a CF card permanently erases all the data, not only the images, previously recorded on it. • Selecting the [OK] initiates the format- ting process.
Connecting to a TV You can connect your camera to a television to display the images you have recorded by following the procedures below. 1. Turn the camera’s Mode Dial to the L (Lock) position (Off) and ensure that the TV power switch is off. 2.
Connecting to a Computer Connecting to a Windows Computer The camera is shipped with a PC interface cable that fits into the camera’s DIGITAL Terminal so that it may be connected to the serial port of a computer running a Windows operating system.
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Connecting to a Computer continued...2/2 • Before connecting the interface cable, ensure that both the camera and computer power switches are turned off. This means that you should turn the camera’s Mode Dial to the L (Lock) position. • Once the interface cables have been connected and the power switches turned on, you can load images onto the computer from the camera by turning...
Changing the Button Battery and Setting the Date/Time If the Clock Not Set message Display Panel, it means that the button battery charge is low and the date/time setting has been lost. Purchase a generic CR2016 lithium battery and exchange it for the spent battery with the following procedures.
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Changing the Button Battery and Setting the Date/Time continued...2/3 5. Place the new button battery into the holder with the negative terminal (-) facing upward as shown. Open End 6. Place the loaded button battery holder back into place in the battery chamber. Align the button battery holder with its slot and lightly press it forward into place with your fingertip.
Changing the Button Battery and Setting the Date/Time continued...3/3 Setting the Date/Time Follow the procedures below to set the date/ time once you have changed the button battery. • The Clock Not Set message continue to flash on the Display Panel until you set the date/time, even if you have changed the button battery.
If the lens accumulates dirt that will not come off with a lens blower, contact your camera retailer or the closest Canon Customer Support Help Desk. Viewfinder Use a lens blower to remove dust and dirt from the viewfinder.
FC-4M FC-8M FC-15M • Figures noted herein reflect standard shooting conditions established by Canon. • The performance of the PowerShot A5 can be guaranteed only with CF cards manufactured by Canon. N=Normal F=Fine CCD RAW= Non compressed FC-15M Large/F CCD RAW...
A printer into which a CF card can be inserted to print out high-quality image prints. Easy operation. If print marks are placed on your target images with the PowerShot A5 camera, the printer will automatically print only those images.
Troubleshooting Problem Camera will not operate Camera will not shoot Cause(s) Battery cover lock not in lock position 2CR5 lithium battery is inserted the wrong way Insufficient battery power (LCD panel displays [Lb]) Incorrect battery type Poor contact between battery and camera terminals Mode Dial is set to L (Lock) position...
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• The logic circuits of the CF card may be faulty or damaged. Please consult the nearest Canon Customer Support Help Desk. • Restrict use of the battery pack to places with ambient temperatures over 0 C.
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Troubleshooting continued...3/5 Problem Battery fails prematurely Battery pack will not charge Cause(s) Battery capacity has diminished after non-use for a year or more Battery pack life has been exceeded Poor connection between battery pack and compact power adapter Camera is drawing power from the AC power source Solution(s) •...
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Troubleshooting continued...4/5 Problem Image is blurred or out of focus Images are too dark Cause(s) Camera or photographic subject is moving Photographic subject is out of focal range Autofocus (AF) Auxiliary Light Emitter is obscured, hampering autofocus function Insufficient ambient light Photographic subject is insufficiently illuminated in comparison with surround-...
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Troubleshooting continued...5/5 Problem Images are too dark Images are too bright Flash will not work Cause(s) Photographic subject is beyond the range of the flash Photographic subject is too close Photographic subject is brighter than surroundings Light is shining directly on or reflected onto camera from the photographic subject...
Exx: (xx: number) Camera malfunction. Turn Mode Dial to L (Lock) position and retry shot or replay. Problem exists if error code reappears. Note the number and contact Canon Cus- tomer Support Help Desk. If error code displays directly after taking a picture, shot may not be recorded. Check image with Play function.
List of Messages The following messages may appear on the LCD panel. Busy: Image is recording on CF card. CF card full!: CF card is too full to accommodate more images. No Image.: No images recorded on CF card. Image too Large.: You attempted to view an image larger than the Large (1024 x 768) size.
Image Data Storage: CompactFlash™ card File Format: CIFF (Camera Image File Format) Image Compression: Images: JPEG and proprietary Canon format (CRW); Thumbnails: JPEG Compression Modes: Fine, Normal and CCD RAW Recorded Image Size: 1024 x 768 or 512 x 384 pixels Image Properties: Shooting date and time, image serial number, etc.
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0 to 40 C Operating Humidity: 10 to 90 % Dimensions: 103 x 68 x 32.5 mm Weight: Approximately 230 g, excluding batteries and CF card *All data are based on Canon’s standard testing methods. Subject to change without notice.
Appendix A Canon Battery Pack NB-5H Instructions Canon Battery Pack NB-5H is a nickel-hydride battery pack intended for exclusive use with Canon PowerShot digital cameras. The battery pack can be charged with the Canon Compact Power Adapter CA-PS100E for approximately 300 charge cycles.
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Before you use the battery pack for the first time, charge it fully. Full Charging Time: Approx. 90 minutes (Based on Canon’s standard testing method with the Compact Power Adapter CA-PS100E. ) Charge times will vary with ambient tempera- tures and battery charge states.
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Appendix A continued...3/4 Safety Precautions • Do not charge this battery pack with chargers other than those recommended by Canon. • Do not use the Battery Pack NB-5H in products other than those recommended by Canon. • Do not short-circuit the positive and negative terminals of the battery pack with metallic or other objects.
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Appendix A continued...4/4 Storage Precautions Battery packs continually discharge small amounts of energy while installed in the camera. Long storage of a battery pack in the camera could cause unnecessary discharge that will shorten its life. We recommend that you remove the battery pack from the camera if you do not anticipate its immediate use.
CA-PS100E Instructions Compact Power Adapter CA-PS100E is designed for exclusive use as the AC power source for Canon PowerShot digital cameras using Battery Pack NB-5H and the charger for NB-5H. Voltage Range Compact Power Adapter CA-PS100E is rated for input voltages ranging between 100 and...
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A fully depleted battery pack will require approximately 90 minutes to charge fully (based on Canon’s standard testing method). Unplug the compact power adapter from the power outlet after charging and when the unit is not in use.
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Appendix B continued...3/4 Powering the Camera with the Compact Power Adapter 1. Place the DC Coupler DR-100 into the camera's battery chamber and connect the DC terminal to the compact power adapter (Fig. 2). 2. Ensure that the camera's Mode Dial is set to the [L] Lock position (power off).
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Appendix B continued...4/4 Operating Precautions • Do not use the compact power adapter to charge products other than Battery Pack NB-5H. • To prolong the life of the battery pack and prevent deterioration of performance, do not charge it for more than 24 hours at a time. •...
Appendix C Canon CompactFlash Instructions The CompactFlash™ Card (CF card) is designed for exclusive use as storage media for PowerShot digital cameras. CF cards can be used to record images and sound when installed in the camera. They can also be inserted into a PCMCIA (PC card) slot (PCMCIA 2.1/JEIDA 4.2...
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Appendix C continued...2/4 2. Insert the PCMCIA adapter all the way into the PC card slot as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 Inserting the PCMCIA adapter will cause the eject button to pop out. Use this button to eject the assembly. Operating Precautions •...
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Appendix C continued...3/4 • Store CF cards in the special case provided. • Do not use or store CF cards in places subject to the following conditions. strong magnetic fields abundant dirt or dust high temperatures, high humidity Precautions with the FC-15M Please note that a short interval of time (about 1 minute) may be required on certain computers for the PC card icon to appear on the Taskbar...
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Appendix C continued...4/4 Procedures to Install the SanDisk ATA FlashDisk Device Driver 1. Insert the FC-15M in the PC card slot. 2. When the New Hardware Found dialog box appears, select the [Select from a list of alternate drivers] option and click the [OK] button.
Index Symbols + Button ... 25, 43 +/- Buttons ... - Button ... 26, 43 Auto Exposure ... Auto Flash mode ... Auto Mode ... Auto White Balance ... Autofocus ... Autofocus (AF) Auxiliary Light Emitter Battery cover ... 17, 58 Battery cover lock ...
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Index continued...2/2 PC Card Adapter ... PC Interface Cable ... PC Mode ... 19, 20 PCMCIA Card Adapter ... Play Menu ... 29, 42, 47 Erase ... Print Mark ... Protect ... Show Info..Slide Show ... Play Mode ... Playback Modes ...
Canon Europa N.V. PO Box 2262, 1180 EG Amstelveen, The Netherlands Canon (Uk) Ltd For technical support, please contact the Canon Help Desk: P.O. Box 431, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 0XU Tel: (0990) 143723 (Calls may be recorded) Fax: (0990) 143340 BBS: (0990) 143350 For sales enquiries, please call on (0121) 666-6262 Canon France S.A.
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Canon Customer Support continued...2/3 Canon España S.A. C/Joaquin Costa, 41, 28002 Madrid, Spain Tel: (91) 538 45 00 Fax: (91) 411 4176 Help Desk: (91) 538 47 87 & (91) 538 47 88 E-mail: helpdesk@lander.es Canon Norge A.S. Hallagerbakken 110, Postboks 33, Holmlia, 1210 Oslo 12, Norway Tlf.
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