Too late - quicker reaction times required.

[Skyedriver]

OK so I know I'm old and my reaction times with the camera aren't maybe what they should be but I see a shot through the viewfinder and click the button and....and....and then the camera takes the photograph.

I have a problem where by the time the photo is taken the subject has moved, don't recall this ever with film cameras but my two Fuji S5600 are just slow to react. (Yes they are old too).

I was trying to get some photographs yesterday at a dog walk over the Forth Bridge and I got the pose but they moved by the time the camera clicked. And don't ask to see my motorsport photography..

It's coming up to Christmas (well in under 4 months anyway), can you recommend me a decent camera with quick reaction times, that'll "see me out".
I was recommended to look for a RAW camera for scenery shots but not sure if that's what I really require for day to day stuff.
I have to admit to having the camera set on Auto a lot, is that part of the cause of the slower reaction times?

I do like Fuji stuff but happy to look elsewhere.

Thanks

[Luca Brazzi]

Might be the auto-focus speed. It's a very old camera, if an article about it is 2005
https://www.ephotozine.com/article/fujifilm-finepi...

Says shutter lag is 0.01s, so that shouldn't be the problem. And which is why I think it's a case of the machine waiting until it can focus lock on something before allowing the shutter to activate.

Go into a shop and try all the latest efforts from all the big brands.....you should enjoy :-)

[RobDickinson]

Honestly those fuji are point and shoot trash compared to a modern real camera.

My 5d4 starts up from cold in 0.5 seconds to first shot focusing is pretty much instant with no shutter lag etc.

Thats a pretty high end camera and my a7r mk2 (mirrorless) is a fair bit slower but focus with my adapted lenses is pretty good still.

All the lower spec entry level stuff is pretty competent now too. Usually dslr is faster to start up and some of the mirrorless focus systems can be iffy but that's a comparison to peers rather than old point and shoot

[RobDickinson]

Fuji have a few levels of camera

X100 stuff fixed lens
X-t20
X-t2
And some new super fast sports model

There's also Xt1 older but still decent

[InitialDave]

I had a Fuji HS10 bridge camera from 2011, and I always found it could be similarly slow.

Have a look at the modern compact cameras you can get, I've just bought a Panasonic TZ200 as they have a really good (£130) cashback offer on them at present.

[Tony1963]

OP,

Your budget would be very, very useful.

[dave_s13]

I've got a Sony RX100ii gathering dust that I was thinking of wacking on eBay.....would that fit the bill?

[Andy M]

Dependant on your budget, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II may be a good choice.

Not hugely expensive, relatively lightweight and good AF.

[Simpo Two]

Skyedriver said:

I have to admit to having the camera set on Auto a lot, is that part of the cause of the slower reaction times?

No, it's the system it uses to focus.

You can take the lag out by semi-depressing the shutter (so the camera can do its whirr-whirr-back-and-forth-trying-to-get-focus) - then press it the rest of the way when the action happens. But if you want real speed, you'll need a better camera.

[Skyedriver]

Thanks
I wondered about the auto bit although I do use the press half way etc to focus and get an average light reading too
Budget: not sure I'm not extravagant but want something that's a worthwhile upgrade on the "point and shoot trash" I have at the moment.

[Skyedriver]

Thanks
I wondered about the auto bit although I do use the press half way etc to focus and get an average light reading too
Budget: not sure I'm not extravagant but want something that's a worthwhile upgrade on the "point and shoot trash" I have at the moment.

[RobDickinson]

😃 It's only relative, pns esp older ones just don't focus and perform like modern stuff.

Go to a camera store have a play.

The new fuji stuff is great as is Sony/canon.

[SCEtoAUX]

Your camera *might* have an option whereby the shutter will only release when the camera hits focus, or thinks it has hit focus.

That's certainly an option on a lot of cameras, so perhaps worth having a read of the manual.

[Tony1963]

SCEtoAUX said:

Your camera *might* have an option whereby the shutter will only release when the camera hits focus, or thinks it has hit focus.

That's certainly an option on a lot of cameras, so perhaps worth having a read of the manual.

I'm not sure that's any help, because that'll just mean the OP's camera is very slow to focus.

The camera is old. Bridge cameras were, in 2005, sluggish in many situations. Have a look at what they fetch on eBay. Not a lot.

Decide on a budget, OP. Without that, we can't help.

However, al Kat any current camera will better what you have in most, if not all areas.

[Derek Smith]

I've got a Panasonic G7. It has a nice little trick up its sleeve that gets rid of all those little problems of timing.

It takes a photo one second before you press the button and goes on taking 25 per second for two seconds.

It's the coolest thing for kids' birthdays. No relighting candles, no being irritated by one of the people in shot blinking, no being irritated by failing to press the button at the precise moment. I don't use it all that often but when I have, it's been magic.

Apart from the fact that it eats batteries, I can see no downsides.

[Simpo Two]

Derek Smith said:

It takes a photo one second before you press the button

Can you fool it by pretending you're going to press the button.. but then not...?

[Derek Smith]

Simpo Two said:

Derek Smith said:

It takes a photo one second before you press the button

Can you fool it by pretending you're going to press the button.. but then not...?

Of course not. It knows what you are going to do.

I've had some cracking images of my grandkids. Balloon going off, candles being blown out, mummy coming home early. I was asked how I managed it, and not wanting to give up my secret I replied honestly. But telling your grandkids 'It takes the photo just before I press the shutter.' makes them say, 'Oh, grandad!'

They think I'm cool. Worth the money just for that.

[Simpo Two]

Derek Smith said:

Simpo Two said:

Derek Smith said:

It takes a photo one second before you press the button

Can you fool it by pretending you're going to press the button.. but then not...?

Of course not. It knows what you are going to do.

My god, the HAL9000 of cameras.... 'Open the card hatch HAL...'

[Skyedriver]

Derek Smith said:

I've got a Panasonic G7. It has a nice little trick up its sleeve that gets rid of all those little problems of timing.

It takes a photo one second before you press the button and goes on taking 25 per second for two seconds.

It's the coolest thing for kids' birthdays. No relighting candles, no being irritated by one of the people in shot blinking, no being irritated by failing to press the button at the precise moment. I don't use it all that often but when I have, it's been magic.

Apart from the fact that it eats batteries, I can see no downsides.

That sounds ideal for what I need TBH can't fail, can I? Apart from batteries it must have a huge card?
Budget: well if that's what it takes to get the camera that will "see me out" than so be it
Will read a few reviews and as suggested, will get to a camera shop and try a few out, not many camera shops here in Oban so may have to delay that.

[RobDickinson]

I assume the Panasonic just has a limited buffer for storing the previous seconds worth and chucks it if not required