Editing Apple QuickTake 150

{{Infobox computer peripheral
| name         = Apple QuickTake 150
| image        = [[File:Apple QuickTake 150.jpg|260px|frameless]]
| caption      = QuickTake 150 with the lens cover open (photo: Picto, CC BY-SA 3.0)
| manufacturer = Apple Computer, Inc.; designed by Kodak, built by Chinon
| type         = Digital still camera
| release_date = 1995
| interface    = Serial, 8-pin mini-DIN socket on the camera
| compatible   = Macintosh with a 68020 or later processor and System 7.1 or later; PCs running Windows 3.1 or NT 3.5 (Windows edition)
| resolution   = 640 × 480 pixels, 24-bit colour
| storage      = 1 MB flash EPROM, not removable
| power        = Three AA lithium or NiCad cells, or 4.5 V DC/1.75 A to 8.0 V DC/1.0 A external
| dimensions   = 155 × 135 × 55 mm
| weight       = 0.5 kg
| model        = M3790LL/A (Macintosh), M3791LL/A (Windows)
| predecessor  = [[Apple QuickTake 100]]
| successor    = [[Apple QuickTake 200]]
}}
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
The '''Apple QuickTake 150''' is the second QuickTake digital camera, sold by Apple Computer from 1995. It uses the same hardware as the [[Apple QuickTake 100]] with new firmware, a close-up lens and new software. Both quality settings record 640 × 480 pictures, and the 1 MB memory holds 16 high-quality or 32 standard-quality pictures.<ref name="qt150ugm">Apple Computer, ''Apple QuickTake 150 User's Guide for Macintosh'', 1995, hosted as [[:File:Apple QuickTake 150 Users Guide for Macintosh 1995.pdf]]. Package contents and system requirements p. 2; camera and close-up lens at a glance p. 3-4; installing software p. 5; batteries p. 7; reinstalling after a system upgrade p. 8; storage time p. 11; close-up lens and rangefinder p. 12-13; flash settings p. 14; image quality settings p. 15; battery icon p. 16; sleep p. 18; power adapter p. 19; travel case p. 20; QuickTake Image Access and PhotoFlash p. 26-41; care p. 43-44; solving problems p. 44-47; specifications and accessories (Appendix A) p. 49-50; battery information (Appendix B) p. 51-52; Windows (Appendix C) p. 53-55.</ref><ref name="til18091">Apple Computer, "QuickTake 100: Upgrade to QuickTake 100 Plus (Discontinued)", Tech Info Library article 18091 (TA34002), in the archive.org collection ''Apple's Technical Information Library Articles'', https://archive.org/details/APPLE_TIL_ARTICLES, file TA30000-TA39999. Source for: the QuickTake 100 upgrade to 150 capability being firmware only, with the close-up lens, 32 standard or 16 high-quality images at 640 × 480, and the QuickTake 150 manual.</ref> Kodak designed the 100 and 150 and Chinon built them.<ref name="wpqt">"Apple QuickTake", ''Wikipedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_QuickTake (retrieved 2026-10-02). Source for: Kodak design and Chinon manufacture; release of the 150 in April 1995 as the 100's replacement. Used for history and dates only.</ref>

== History ==
Apple released the QuickTake 150 in April 1995 to replace the QuickTake 100.<ref name="wpqt" /> Its data sheet is dated March 1995 and gives order number M3790 for the Macintosh camera; Apple's support notes give the full numbers as M3790LL/A for Macintosh and M3791LL/A for Windows.<ref name="qt150ds">Apple Computer, ''Apple QuickTake 150: 24-Bit Color Digital Camera for Macintosh'', data sheet, March 1995, L00578B, hosted as [[:File:Apple QuickTake 150 Data Sheet 1995.pdf]]. Source for: order number M3790; package contents (camera, close-up lens, software with PhotoFlash 2.0 and QuickTake Image Access, serial cable, three AA lithium batteries, neck strap, manuals); storage of up to one year without batteries; close-up lens range 10 to 14 inches with parallax correction, flash diffusion and rangefinder; flash modes and 7-second cycle time; battery life over 200 images; supported cell types; viewfinder coverage 92 per cent; system requirements; accessory order numbers (booster pack M2655, travel case M2848, AC adapter M2851, Connection Kit for Windows M3793).</ref><ref name="til17939">Apple Computer, "QuickTake 150 Close-Up Lens Works With QuickTake 100 (6/95)", Tech Info Library article 17939 (TA33896), APPLE_TIL_ARTICLES collection, file TA30000-TA39999. Source for: model numbers M3790LL/A (Macintosh) and M3791LL/A (Windows); the close-up lens features; the lens fitting the QuickTake 100; the lens sold only as service part 922-1371.</ref> QuickTake 100 owners could have their cameras brought up to the 150's specification in 1995 (see [[Apple QuickTake 100#History]]).<ref name="til18091" /> The [[Apple QuickTake 200]] followed in 1997.<ref name="wpqt" />

== Differences from the QuickTake 100 ==
The case, lens, flash, controls, memory and power arrangements are the same as on the 100.<ref name="qt150ugm" /><ref name="til18091" /> The changes are in the firmware, the bundle and the software.

* The 100 records standard pictures at 320 × 240. The 150 records both settings at 640 × 480 and varies the compression instead: Apple gives 1.5 bits per pixel for high quality and 0.75 bits per pixel for standard.<ref name="til20291">Apple Computer, "QuickTake 150: Image Quality Differences (8/96)", Tech Info Library article 20291 (TA35897), APPLE_TIL_ARTICLES collection, file TA30000-TA39999. Source for: the same 640 × 480 resolution for both settings on the 150 and compression of 1.5 bits per pixel (high) and 0.75 bits per pixel (standard).</ref> Colin Leroy-Mira, who decodes both formats on the Apple II, identifies the 100's pictures as ADPCM-compressed and the 150's as RADC-compressed.<ref name="colinoproto">Colin Leroy-Mira, "The Apple Quicktake 100 and 150 serial communication protocol", colino.net, 29 October 2023, https://www.colino.net/wordpress/archives/2023/10/29/the-apple-quicktake-100-150-serial-communication-protocol/ (retrieved 2026-10-02). Community reverse-engineering notes. Source for: the shared protocol of the 100 and 150; ADPCM data from the 100 (qtkt files) and RADC data from the 150 (qtkn files); variable picture sizes from the 150.</ref>
* A clip-on close-up lens focuses at 10 to 14 inches. It shifts the viewfinder's view to correct parallax, diffuses the flash, and carries rangefinder triangles: when an object about 9 cm across just fills the space between them, the camera is 30 cm away.<ref name="qt150ugm" />
* The 150 comes with three AA lithium cells and no charger. Apple says NiCads may be used but alkaline cells should not.<ref name="qt150ugm" />
* The Macintosh camera comes with PhotoFlash 2.0 and the QuickTake Image Access control panel, which mounts the camera on the desktop like a disk. The Windows camera comes with QuickTake 1.5 and the PhotoNow! TWAIN driver.<ref name="qt150ugm" /><ref name="facts9510">Apple Computer, ''Apple Facts'', October 1995, QuickTake 150 entry, https://vintageapple.org/applefacts/pdf/Apple_Facts_9510_10.95_October_1995.pdf (retrieved 2026-10-02). Source for: the close-up lens in both packages; PhotoFlash 2.0 for Macintosh and QuickTake 1.5 with the PhotoNow! TWAIN driver for Windows; the accessory list.</ref> QuickTake 150 software also works with a QuickTake 100.<ref name="til19300">Apple Computer, "QuickTake 100: Compatible With QuickTake 150 Software? (1/96)", Tech Info Library article 19300 (TA35046), APPLE_TIL_ARTICLES collection, file TA30000-TA39999.</ref>

== Specifications ==
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%;"
|+'''QuickTake 150 specifications'''
! Item !! Value
|-
| Type || CCD still frame camera
|-
| Image size || 640 × 480 at both settings; up to 16 high-quality or 32 standard-quality pictures
|-
| Colour || 24-bit
|-
| Memory || 1 MB flash EPROM; storage for up to one year, with or without batteries<ref name="qt150ds" />
|-
| Lens || Fixed focus, 8 mm (Apple's equivalent: 50 mm on 35 mm film); 4 ft to infinity, or 10 to 14 in with the close-up lens
|-
| Aperture || f/2.8 to f/16
|-
| Shutter speed || 1/30 to 1/175 second
|-
| Sensitivity || About ISO 85
|-
| Flash || Automatic, fill or off; 4 to 9 ft, or 10 to 14 in with the close-up lens; 7-second cycle time<ref name="qt150ds" />
|-
| Viewfinder || Optical, 92 per cent coverage<ref name="qt150ds" />
|-
| Interface || RS-422 (Macintosh), RS-232C (Windows)
|-
| Internal power || Three AA cells, 3.6 to 5.4 V DC
|-
| External power || 4.5 V DC at 1.75 A to 8.0 V DC at 1.0 A
|-
| Power consumption || Under 500 mW standby, under 4.5 W operating
|-
| Operating environment || 0 to 40 °C, 20 to 95 per cent humidity, non-condensing
|-
| Dimensions || 155 × 135 × 55 mm (6.1 × 5.3 × 2.2 in), 0.5 kg (1 lb)
|}
Figures are from Appendix A of the user's guide except where marked.<ref name="qt150ugm" />

Apple's documents disagree on two points. The QuickTake 150 Service Source lists a 320 × 240 standard size and a GeoPort interface, as the QuickTake 100's does; the user's guide, the data sheet and Apple's support note give 640 × 480 for both settings, and the user's guide gives RS-422 for the Macintosh.<ref name="qt150ss">Apple Computer, ''QuickTake 150'' Service Source, from the Apple Service Source 2.0 CD (1996), hosted as [[:File:Apple QuickTake 150 Service Source.pdf]]. Specifications pp. 1-4 (including the 320 × 240 standard image size and GeoPort interface); Parts 1-20: accessory kits 601-1030 (Macintosh) and 601-1031 (Windows), booster pack 922-0751, battery rechargers 922-0661 and regional variants, DIN-8 to DB-9 cable 922-0676, Macintosh DIN-8 to DIN-8 cable 922-0671, PC adaptor DB-9/DB-25 922-0675, battery cover 922-0673, close-up lens 922-1371, power adapters 922-0043, X922-0043, B922-0043, Z922-0043 and 922-0376, whole unit 661-0909.</ref><ref name="til20291" /> The data sheet's metric sizes are printed in centimetres where millimetres are meant (for example "2.2 in. (55 cm)").<ref name="qt150ds" />

== Package and service parts ==
The Macintosh package holds the camera, the close-up lens, the serial cable, the software, a neck strap and three batteries.<ref name="qt150ugm" /> Apple's service list for the 150 includes separate accessory kits for Macintosh (601-1030) and Windows (601-1031), the close-up lens (922-1371), the battery cover (922-0673), the serial cables and the power adapters; the whole camera was replaced as one unit, 661-0909.<ref name="qt150ss" /> Accessories sold separately were the battery booster pack, the AC adapter, the travel case and the Connection Kit for Windows (M3793LL/A).<ref name="qt150ugm" /> They are described on [[Apple QuickTake accessories]].

== Connecting the camera ==
The camera connects to the Macintosh modem or printer port, or to any working serial port on a Windows PC, with the serial cable from the package.<ref name="qt150ugm" /><ref name="qt150ugw">Apple Computer, ''Apple QuickTake 150 User's Guide for Windows'', 1995, hosted as [[:File:Apple QuickTake 150 Users Guide for Windows 1995.pdf]]. System requirements p. 2 (80386 or later; Windows 3.1, "3.1.1 for WorkGroups" or Windows NT 3.5; MS-DOS 3.3 or later; 2 MB of free RAM); battery booster pack p. 20; connecting, port settings and the 9-to-25-pin adapter p. 22-23; specifications p. 55-56.</ref> On a Power Macintosh G3 use the modem port: Apple's G3 Read Me says the printer port does not communicate reliably with the 150.<ref name="til-g3">Apple Computer, "Power Macintosh G3 Read Me", Tech Info Library article TA21807, APPLE_TIL_ARTICLES collection, file TA20315-TA29994.</ref> The 150 uses the same serial protocol as the 100.<ref name="colinoproto" />

== Known problems ==
* A QuickTake 150 repaired by Colin Leroy-Mira sent its greeting to the computer but would not respond. The receive line and pin 2 were open at the serial connector on the camera's small I/O board.<ref name="colinofix">Colin Leroy-Mira, "Fixing a Quicktake 150 serial connector", colino.net, 21 June 2026, https://www.colino.net/wordpress/archives/2026/06/21/fixing-a-quicktake-150-serial-connector/ (retrieved 2026-10-02). Community repair report.</ref> The checks and his pin map are on [[Apple QuickTake 100 Troubleshooting Guide#Serial connector repair]].
* Under Mac OS 8.5 the QuickTake 150 installer replaces the system's QuickTime PowerPlug with an older version.<ref name="til-powerplug">Apple Computer, "Mac OS 8.5: QuickTime PowerPlug Version", Tech Info Library article TA38741, APPLE_TIL_ARTICLES collection, file TA30000-TA39999.</ref>
* Some QuickTake scripts in PhotoFlash 2.0.1 do not work on the Power Macintosh G3.<ref name="til-g3" />

Maintenance and fault-finding for the 150 are covered with the 100 on [[Apple QuickTake 100 General Maintenance]] and [[Apple QuickTake 100 Troubleshooting Guide]], including the flash capacitor hazard.

[[File:Apple QuickTake 150 with accessories.jpg|thumb|center|500px|A QuickTake 150 with a travel case and grip, serial cable and battery booster pack (photo: moparx, CC BY-SA 2.0)]]

== Documentation ==
* [[Apple QuickTake 150 Documentation]]: the user's guides for Macintosh and Windows, the Service Source and the data sheet.

== Related pages ==
* [[Apple QuickTake 100]]
* [[Apple QuickTake 200]]
* [[Apple QuickTake 100 General Maintenance]]
* [[Apple QuickTake 100 Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Apple QuickTake accessories]]
* [[Apple QuickTake Software]]

== References ==
<references />

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[[Category:Apple Vintage Accessories]]