Dumb questions about digital cameras

[Fabooliss]

We are shopping for our first digital camera and I'm confused about lag time, shutter lag etc.

I was of the opinion that there is a delay between pushing the button and the picture being taken and that this delay is greater with digital cameras than with film cameras. My DH says no, you just don't see the picture so you don't remember with a film camera.

If there is a delay, what do I look for to reduce this?

Thanks!

 

[Scottl]

I would say in P&S digital cameras there is a slight delay but in DSLR's there isn't. In P&S if you have the shutter pressed 1/2 way to focus and then push to take the picture there is a small delay. Same scenario with DSLR and it takes the picture instantly. What type of camera are you looking to get?

 

[Master Mason]

There are 2 different lags to concider. First one is when you push the button how quickly does it take the picture. The second is how long from the time you take the first picture until you can take the second.

in the SLR world, they are very much equal at this point from film to digital.

In the P&S world, while things have improved greatly there are still issues with some cameras.

Check dpreview for the model your looking at they should tell you what the delays are.

 

[oxfordcircus]

I have a digital point and shoot (Pentax Optio 50). I love the camera. It takes great pictures. But I absolutely loathe the lag times (both of them). When I press the button to take the photo, there is a lag of something like 1 second. Doesn't seem like much, but in that second facial expressions change, kids run out of the frame, etc. As Master Mason said, there's that second lag before you can take another picture. That lag makes sure that you can't get a second bite at the apple when you missed the shot because of the first lag. Double whammy.

So I just dropped $450 on a digital SLR - camera body only (no lens!). With a DSLR, the lag times are not an issue. In fact, there's a setting for just holding down the button to take a series of photos (5 in 3 seconds) like you see with "fashion" photographers. That's GREAT for action. If money isn't a big issue, I'd recommend the DSLR.

 

[oxfordcircus]

I meant to mention P&S's that claim to eliminate lag time. Read this excellent review: CNET review on P&S lags

 

[ukcatfan]

So I just dropped $450 on a digital SLR - camera body only (no lens!).

You have to let us know which one you bought. We need to see which club you are joining

Kevin - Pentax Club!!!

 

[oxfordcircus]

You have to let us know which one you bought. We need to see which club you are joining

Kevin - Pentax Club!!!

In my family, cameras are like cars: you can't go against the family. Dad has a Ford, I have a Ford. Dad is a Pentax man, I just bought the Pentax K110D. I kid about the legacy thing a little, but in fact legacy was the deciding factor - specifically the ability to use all my dad's pentax lenses.

I'm not a photographer, but I do like to take pictures. After looking at some of these threads, I may have to spend a little time learning the tricks of the trade.

 

[Fabooliss]

Thanks for the review links... I found this : 15sec min shutter... what does that MEAN!?

We are looking for a P&S camera (after I figured out what that meant! )
Before I started finding out about lag times we had just about decided on the Canon A540, based partly on the Consumer Reports review of the earlier models, what is available in Canada, and on our budget. It is about the top of our budget but the extra screen size was worth it compared to the A530.

The most important things are:
1. good quality 4x6 pictures with occasional 8x10's (or zooming in on the 4x6 to make a cropped picture).
2. be able to take a picture of my kids at birthday parties, disney world, opening Christmas presents etc. without missing the key shot

Any suggestions?

 

[Groucho]

Another happy Pentax owner! Welcome to the club.

As for shutter lag - the statement that DSLRs have no shutter lag is just not true. Any camera that autofocuses will have shutter lag. DSLRs tend to autofocus much faster than PnS cameras, but there have been large strides in the current PnSs and they're much closer.

Now, a DSLR in manual focus mode will have basically no shutter lag. But a PnS that has a manual focus mode will have basically no shutter lag, either.

Fabooliss, 15 second shutter? Not knowing the context, I would guess any statement like that refers to the maximum time that the shutter can stay open, which can be important if you like to take nighttime photos on a tripod.

 

[ducklite]

As for shutter lag - the statement that DSLRs have no shutter lag is just not true. Any camera that autofocuses will have shutter lag.

Yes and no. I have a DSLR with autofocus that is pretty much ALWAYS used. I can avoid the autofocus lag by pre-focusing my lens by slightly depressing the shutter button to focus, then quickly depressing it fully when I'm ready to snap the photo.

The type of DSLR lens used will also make a difference.

By using these techniques and fast, motorized glass, the lag is about .04 seconds. I can't count that fast...

Anne

 

[Groucho]

Yes and no. I have a DSLR with autofocus that is pretty much ALWAYS used. I can avoid the autofocus lag by pre-focusing my lens by slightly depressing the shutter button to focus, then quickly depressing it fully when I'm ready to snap the photo.

The same trick works just as effectively on a PnS... I think we're talking about shutter lag when starting with the button not pressed at all.

Another thing that DSLRs can be (at least mine can, I assume others can?) is be set to not require autofocus to be set to fire the shutter. This is usually useful when you're set for continuous autofocus but you're taking a series of photos and don't want to chance the camera missing any photos because it's still trying to perfect the focus.

That will give you no shutter lag but possibly at the cost of focus.

 

[ducklite]

The same trick works just as effectively on a PnS... I think we're talking about shutter lag when starting with the button not pressed at all.

Another thing that DSLRs can be (at least mine can, I assume others can?) is be set to not require autofocus to be set to fire the shutter. This is usually useful when you're set for continuous autofocus but you're taking a series of photos and don't want to chance the camera missing any photos because it's still trying to perfect the focus.

That will give you no shutter lag but possibly at the cost of focus.

Mine can be set to not autofocus as well--it's a menu option. I can set my camera for multiple exposure with or without autofocus--it will keep shooting as long as I hold the shutter down until the processor gets overloaded.

My DH has a cheapie P&S digital, it doens't have the option to pre-focus. My high end P&S will pre-focus, or that can be turned off. I've found that turning it off results in crappy photo's.

Anne

 

[Groucho]

Probably what the PnS is doing if you turn off autofocus is putting it in manual focus mode... unfortunately with a PnS, that usually means using buttons to set the focus, which is a little wonky - usable for still lifes from a tripod, not so good for anything else.

The exception being one or two of the real high-end SLR-like PnSs, like the Fuji (can't think of the model), that give you a "proper" zoom and focus ring.

 

[ducklite]

Probably what the PnS is doing if you turn off autofocus is putting it in manual focus mode... unfortunately with a PnS, that usually means using buttons to set the focus, which is a little wonky - usable for still lifes from a tripod, not so good for anything else.

Yup! It's a DiMage. Higher end, but not the best. Takes a really nice quality photo though--for a P&S.

Anne

 

[Groucho]

I know that setting then... I had a Dimage Z5 before getting my Pentax DSLR. Unfortunately the noise was a real problem on the camera, but I just started playing with some noise reduction software and it really makes a huge difference in my old Minolta pics. Not sure which model you have, but it's worth looking in to if you're seeing any noise issues.