Discussion
I have a Nikon Coolpix 5000 digital compact camera and am being driven mad by an almost 2 to 3 second delay between pressing the shutter release and the picture being taken.
I suspect that I might not be operating the auto focus correctly, as I don't really understand how it works.
Any suggestions as to what the problem might be?
I suspect that I might not be operating the auto focus correctly, as I don't really understand how it works.
Any suggestions as to what the problem might be?
That seems waaaayyyy to slow. Should barely be noticeable on a modern compact camera.
Do you pre-focus? Ie hold the shutter release button down half way so that the camera does the focusing and then locks this. Then you press the shutter the rest of the way down to take the photo when you're ready.
Do you pre-focus? Ie hold the shutter release button down half way so that the camera does the focusing and then locks this. Then you press the shutter the rest of the way down to take the photo when you're ready.
Compacts use a different focusing system from SLRs, so they all have shutter lag to some extent.
However you may notice that the shutter release is progressive - ie press it halfway and the camera goes 'dur' and eventually finds focus (in my experience this locks exposure as well so focus on the bit you want). Then, when Bonzo leaps through the hoop or whatever you're trying to capture, press it the rest of the way and the camera will fire almost immediately. So you can mitigate the lag with planning and prefocusing, but it will never be as fast as an SLR.
ETA It may focus more slowly in poor light as it hunts for something to grip on.
However you may notice that the shutter release is progressive - ie press it halfway and the camera goes 'dur' and eventually finds focus (in my experience this locks exposure as well so focus on the bit you want). Then, when Bonzo leaps through the hoop or whatever you're trying to capture, press it the rest of the way and the camera will fire almost immediately. So you can mitigate the lag with planning and prefocusing, but it will never be as fast as an SLR.
ETA It may focus more slowly in poor light as it hunts for something to grip on.
Thanks for all this good advice.
The camera has an AE/L button on the front of the body.
Once I have set the focus with a halfway press of the shutter button, should I then press the AE/L button to lock the setting prior to firing the shutter?
I should , of course, read the instructions but something was lost in the translation from Japenese!
The camera has an AE/L button on the front of the body.
Once I have set the focus with a halfway press of the shutter button, should I then press the AE/L button to lock the setting prior to firing the shutter?
I should , of course, read the instructions but something was lost in the translation from Japenese!
Following on from your comments,I've been experimenting with the camera and have found a half press of the shutter to be the solution.
If done correctly, a 'ready to shoot' green light comes on and the shot then goes off almost instantaneously.
A clear case then, of operator error but in my defence,the half way point on the shutter is not very precise and the camera instructions were a nightmare!
However, many thanks for your help. You have saved me the cost of a new camera and I can start to enjoy taking a few photographs again!
A virtual pint for you all, except for 'Tenex', who may ask for the real deal!
If done correctly, a 'ready to shoot' green light comes on and the shot then goes off almost instantaneously.
A clear case then, of operator error but in my defence,the half way point on the shutter is not very precise and the camera instructions were a nightmare!
However, many thanks for your help. You have saved me the cost of a new camera and I can start to enjoy taking a few photographs again!
A virtual pint for you all, except for 'Tenex', who may ask for the real deal!
fadeaway said:
Should barely be noticeable on a modern compact camera.
D2x and P7000 user here.D2x - almost instant i.e. touch a boiling pan, feel the pain.
P7000 - like the vague sensation you get after five hours at a beer festival. Touch a boiling pan and......... ....... ....... ...... Wassssssat???
Biggest mistake so far? Set up for a panoramic sequence where the dSLR is "click, twist, click, twist, click, twist, click, twist, click, twist, click, twist, click, twist, click, twist, click, twist, click, twist, click. "
Doesn't work like that with a compact! Doh!!!
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