Shutter lag on Sony DSC F828

[hairbrushes]

Hi guys, I'm new to the forums and fairly new to photography. I was using a compact Olympus point and shoot before someone was kind enough to let me use their Sony Cyber-Shot DSC F828 as much as I please. I think it's a great camera with capabilities I have yet to master but I have a love-hate relationship with it right now.

The time that it takes to take the shot from the time i press the shutter button all the way down bothers me. I'd get blurry shots a LOT. I first thought it was camera shake, so I would try to stabilize (I don't have a tripod). Pre-focusing was something I had learned early on and so I know it is not the factor that affects this. Is this really shutter lag? I have read reviews about this CyberShot model and it says it has excellent (minimal) shutter lag. I have noticed that I don't experience this problem as much when I am outdoors or in otherwise well-lit conditions. I shoot primarily in Program mode and adjust ISO levels when in low light conditions, but it bothers me because I never had this problem with that tiny Olympus. I am reading about shooting in Aperture priority but I'd appreciate any tip anyone can throw my way as I'm not even sure that's what I should be reading foremost. Thanks much!

[spookie5150]

I suspect what you're experiencing is just slow shutter speed. Shooting indoors is almost always considered low-light, and in program mode the camera will set a longer exposure and wider aperture to compensate for the lack of light if you aren't using the flash. Shooting in aperture priority might help some, but you will be limited in the types of shots you can get because you will probably always have your shutter wide open which will effect your depth of field.

The reason the little point and shoot did better in those conditions was because there wasn't nearly as much glass for the light to travel through as there is on the camera you're using now.

If you can't get a tripod, try resting the camera on a table or chair and use the timed shot feature. That way you won't be moving the camera when you press the shutter release.

Good luck and happy shooting!

[hairbrushes]

Thanks, that helps! I'll experiment a bit more. I'm not a big fan of the in-camera flash, I've tried the paper 'bounce cards' but found that I need to test to know how I'll compensate with the white balance. My dad has a tripod, but it's missing a bolt, LOL. Your reply will send me bolt-hunting tomorrow Thanks again!

Cheers,
Hazel

[Les Unsworth]

G'day Hazel,

The F828 is a great camera, I'm looking to upgrade but have yet to find a value for money replacement that can match all the specs. I need (want) a longer lens and shake compensation. So I will probably have to save up for a DSLR

I note you say that you prefocus. Have you tried Manual Focus? This would help determine if it is a focus lag problem. As will comparing hand and tripod held photos .

The F828 has a significant lens which extends out front, your typical P&S does not. The F828 does not have any shake compensation. These two factos are particularly important when using a long lens setting. I shoot with the ISO set to 64 most of the time, so I tend to use longer shutter speeds and this means you need a steady hand or a tripod. You may need to review how you hold the camera. Cradle the lens in your left hand, hold the camera close not out at arms length. If you can, use the view finder rather than the LCD screen.

Hope this helps

Les