Camera advice - avoiding shutter delay

Old May 20th, 2007, 12:13 PM
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cfc
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Camera advice - avoiding shutter delay

Need a new digital camera, do not have $500-1000+ for SLR and/or top of the line but get really seriously annoyed at slow trigger-shutter delays. Can someone either point me to some good comparison reviews or suggest a camera that takes the picture reasonably quickly once you press the button?

I've been using a Canon A85, nice but the delay is still too much (and it's now been dropped one time too many, hence the need for a new one).
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Old May 20th, 2007, 01:24 PM
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Outside of a dSLR, you're going to get the shutter delay. For the best way to find a new camera follow these instructions:

1. go to www.betterphoto.com

Click on Resources and select Best Cameras. Use the calculator (use text so you can select shutter delay) to identify the important factors.

This will provide you with a list of 5-15 cameras that somewhat to completely meet your needs.

Looking at the ratings in the specific categories, select up to 5 cameras that meet as many of your needs as possible.

2. go to www.dpreview.com

Read the reviews for each of the cameras in your final list. Cross off anything that doesn't get a Recommended or Highly Recommended. If you have 2 or more choices with a Highly Recommended, dump the Recommended cameras.

Compare the Pros and Cons of the top choices to see which cameras but your needs in the Pro section. Knock off all but 2 or 3 cameras from the list.

3. go to a local store. Try out the 2 or 3 cameras on your list. Press buttons, etc. Choose whichever camera feels the best to you.

I have had over 10 people follow this process and every one of them has been completely satisfied with their camera. I have done it for myself 3 times over the years and have not regretted any purchase.
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Old May 20th, 2007, 01:59 PM
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I recently (20 days) bought an Olympus FE-230 it is a thing of beauty. It replaces my Olympus C-60. It has more features , is 1/3 the size and cost less than 1/2 as much as the C-60. I'd check out B&H photo.
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Old May 20th, 2007, 05:43 PM
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I am no camera expert, although I take lots of photos in my line of work (they are utilitarian, not artistic). I find that my el cheapo HP "boxy" camera that turns on when you slide the lens cap open has a shorter delay than the new Nikon I purchased (not an expensive one) AND my husband's much, much better Nikon. The difference seems to be the optical zoom. Those cameras that have it have a longer delay. My little digital zoom has the shortest delay of any camera I have tried.
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Old May 20th, 2007, 05:48 PM
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The new ones are lots faster. One thing you can do is invest in a fast memory card. The faster the read speed the faster your camera can save photos. Read you manual to see what works.
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Old May 21st, 2007, 07:49 AM
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Good info toedtoes, I am bookmarking.
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Old May 21st, 2007, 07:53 AM
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PP, I just bought a new Nikon four days ago and it is slower.
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Old May 21st, 2007, 08:09 AM
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Learn to use the "half-push" technique.

Shutter delay is caused by the camera's computer "thinking" about all the parameters that have to be adjusted before exposure. Simpler cameras and those having faster logic do this with alacrity.

If you "half-push" the trigger button, the camera will go through all the computations without capturing the image. Then when you press the trigger the rest of the way, the exposure is instantaneous.
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Old May 21st, 2007, 12:34 PM
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Jbass - I swear by this. It is so much more efficient than just asking people. People will always recommend their current camera (unless it is currently broken) which may or may not be a good fit for you.

As a amateur photog, I get a lot of folks at work asking me to choose their next camera. They are disappointed when I give them these instructions instead of just telling them which camera to buy. But after they do it, and get their camera, they always come back and say "you were right - this camera is perfect!".

The other advice I give is to not buy from the online site with the cheapest prices. Too many do the whole bait and switch scam - usually requiring you to purchase $30 of crappy accessories for an additional $100 - $200. Instead, use sites like b&hphotovideo.com - they won't be the cheapest, but they have good prices, quality merchandise and don't push crappy accessories.
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Old May 22nd, 2007, 05:44 AM
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Grateful to all.

Toed -- how current would you say the betterphoto site is?

kswl -- how old is your "el cheapo"?

Robes -- have managed to use the half-push technique when I know I am about to get an action shot. What's hard is knowing ahead of time and/or being able to do several quick shots in a row -- something my old analogy/acoustical ( ;-) ) camera did with no problem.
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Old May 22nd, 2007, 09:52 AM
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Cfc - I don't think betterphoto removes older cameras from their database, so you will get discontinued ones on the list. DPReview, however, is very good about identifying those cameras still available in stores.

So, I wouldn't depend solely on the betterphoto list, but use it in conjunction with the dpreview site.

Lots of cameras have the "rapid shoot" mode. If you half-press the shutter first, it will hold those settings for the entire series shot on the one full press.
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