shutter lag with compact digital

[dg94556]

I have a Minolta Dimage Xi 3.2 mp which I love because of its compact size. However, the shutter lag drives me nuts. I would like some advice on alternative cameras 3.2 or larger where shutter lag is not such a problem. I like to take pictures of my dogs, as an example, and all too often they have left the scene before the picture is captured. Fustrating, yes. I have used the multiple frames feature but I don't like that as I have grown up using SLRs, and it is that type of a quick shutter response I am looking for.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Michael Fanelli]

I have a Minolta Dimage Xi 3.2 mp which I love because of its compact size. However, the shutter lag drives me nuts. I would like some advice on alternative cameras 3.2 or larger where shutter lag is not such a problem. I like to take pictures of my dogs, as an example, and all too often they have left the scene before the picture is captured. Fustrating, yes. I have used the multiple frames feature but I don't like that as I have grown up using SLRs, and it is that type of a quick shutter response I am looking for.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Shutter lag is due to poor AF performance. Most P&S cameras, film and digital, are just too cheap to be able to include fast AF. Many of the new cameras have gotten better but I don't know any that are as good as a DSLR.

You might do what photographers did before AF was invented (yes, there was a time!): prefocus. At first, this can be slow and annoying but afetr a while it becomes second nature. I take excellent white-water kayaking sports shots with my tiny Canon S400 P&S.

[Liz]

I have grown up using SLRs, and it is that type of a quick shutter response I am looking for.

The only way that I know of to avoid the shutter lag is to get a digital SLR. Since you're used to the SLR, I think you'll be happy with the digital version. I have a Canon Rebel 350XT and love it.

My first digital camera was a Canon G2 and I enjoyed it a lot, but the shutter lag was also a problem for me.

Just my personal input - and advice.

Liz

[another view]

Nothing will compare with any DSLR here - you may want to look at a Rebel, Nikon D50 or D70s.

On my Coolpix, I have pre-focused and had a lot better response. The great thing about it is that these cameras have tiny sensors so the lens focal length is tiny too. My Coolpix is about a 28-80 equivalent but it's really about 7-21mm. Even at 21mm and f5.6 I've got huge depth of field. Pre-focus at 6' and as long as you're in the ballpark you've got a shot. Zoom out wider and the depth of field (in this case, margin of error) is even larger.

[dg94556]

Michael,

Thanks for the advice. I recall somehow hearing about pre-focusing, and I'll give that a try.

Dave

[dg94556]

Liz,

I may have to consider SLRs, but the compact size of the Minolta is a real plus. It is so easy to just tuck it in a pocket and carry it along anywhere. I used to do a lot of backpacking and was a devoted SLR photographer, and I just got so tired of hauling the bigger camera around. Well, there are tradeoffs, and maybe I'll go "back" (really, forward, now) to the SLR.

[dg94556]

Dear Another,

I'll check out the Coolpix. I know the hame, but virtually nothing else about it. There ae SO many choices out there now, thank goodness! Bu it can get confusing for one who doesn't follow the field all that closely.

Thanks for your advice.

[SmartWombat]

I found not only prefocus, but also manual exposure helped.
As well as the time for the AF to do its thing, the exposure calculation on the Minoltas was significant.

I was getting about 1 in 10, maybe 1 in 5 shots of F1 cars on the track with the Minolta A1 and A2. My wife's Z1 was just not up to the job at all.
Her new Panasonic Lumix FZ20 is far better, I got usable results at the Goodwood Revival with it when my 20D batteries died (all 3 of them) before the big race

[another view]

I'll check out the Coolpix. I know the hame, but virtually nothing else about it.

Steve, BTW.

"Coolpix" is Nikon's line of compact digitals - there have been many. I have a 5000 which at 3+ years old is ancient in the world of digital cameras. It still works great for me and I have no reason to replace it though. It was replaced by the 5400 and now the 8400 which has been out long enough that you might find a good deal on it. Cool thing about it (pun intended) is that the 8400 has the equivalent of a 24mm lens on the wide end, which is very wide. Mine only goes to 28, but not bad either considering most start in the 35mm area.