This is not about the small, printed 62 page "Instruction Manual Operations E-mount" that comes in the box with the camera. This really only covers "Getting Started' and some advanced operations using the major functions". It does have an alphabetical index at the back. (Page 56-58)

My problem is with the "Handoook' which is pesent as a PDF on the CD which is also in the box. I downloaded this handbook onto my computer (a Mac Pro) and can read it and use it from the computer screen. As a PDF it can be opened and read and also has a sidebar index (or "Table of contents".) Clicking on this index takes one to the subject concerned on a particular numbered page. e.g. clicking on "Wind Noise reduct.' in the side bar takes one to Page 141 in the handbook which is titled "Wind Noise Reduct." So far so good!

However, still on the computer and using the PDF, If one clicks on "Table of contents" in the left sidebar one gets a Table of contents but the page numbers are not sequential and the pages from 60 to 174 are not listed. So, not a problem using the PDF on the computer!

However - I want to carry the handbook when I am out and about taking photos, or for example when I am on holiday and do not have access to my computer. So I printed out the PDF and got a man who is an expert printer to make it into an A5 book. Obviously, the printed book does not have the sidebar that is available on the computer so if I want to find, for example, "Wind Noise Reduct." there is no way of knowing which page it is on.

I thought maybe I could get round this by putting the PDF on my iPhone but it doesn't show the sidebar either.

I think the answer is relatively simple though. All it needs is for the PDF manual to have an alphabetical index at the end of it as does the small, printed 62 page "Instruction Manual Operations E-mount I described in my first paragraph above.

I have to add I find the NEX 7 to be unbelievably amazing and I am just beginning to get my head around its wonderful performace. It is, however, complicated and has a long and steep learning curve and at my age (71) I find I have to repeatedly go to the manual because I have forgotten how to do something I knew how to do the day before!  If I am out and about or on holiday with my camera and my printed PDF manual I cannot look it up if it is on a page between 59 and 174! An additional alphabetic index on the PDf file would solve this problem.

I think that there are computer programs that can automatically generate an alpphabetic index from a from a PDF or other computer file. I'm sure your experts at SONY could do this easily, quickly and efficiently. Can you send me the first copy please?  :-)

Thank you for your quick reply. I fyou need further information please just ask.

Maurice

Thanks, simon. I'll try that. Doen't really help with the printed handbook though!

Maurice

Simon,

I am sooooooo embarrassed! I was looking at my Handbook PDF on my computer and noticed, for the first time, that the last entry in the Table of contents in the left sidebar is "Index". When I looked at it, it is indeed an aplhabetical index. it even shows on my iPhone when I look in the correct place! And it is the last page in "printed" Handbook. 

The only excuse I can give for being so stupid is that that partiular item was off the bottom of my screen on my computer and I never needed to scroll down there! :-))

Please could you delete all  this thread so no more of the world will think I am an idiot!

Thank you for your help and understanding anyway. I can just imagine all the clever people at SONY saying "What the hell is he talking about."

Maurice