Re: [Leica] R8 Shutter release time lag

["Mike Quinn" <mlquinn@san.rr.com>]

I agree that the "decisive moment" is no time to be worrying about lag time.

Still, the second part of Ted's advice is a good prescription for addressing
that very issue (even if he won't let us think about it!).

Ted says that we can overcome time lags and other equipment problems by
training ourselves to understand how we work with the equipment.

My only reservation is that while we can anticipate and compensate for a
CONSTANT time lag, I've found it difficult to adjust to a VARIABLE time lag.
(That's what led me to turn off autofocus on my SLR's.)

No matter how well you are trained, it's maddening to push the shutter and
then watch the decisive moment pass when the camera decides to adjust the
focus. I have the same problem with the "lash" in most autofocus lenses that
I've tried to focus manually. I can anticipate and adjust to most constant
and predictable lags. Variable lags anywhere in the exposure sequence
destroy my hard won experience and force me to think about things that Ted
advises me to ignore...

- ----------
Ted Grant wrote:
>To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us

> It's techie things like "lag time." You as a sports photographer don't need
> to know, unless you are dealing in some type of scientific photography,
> then it might have some relevance. Otherwise don't even waste your time
> thinking about it.

(snip)

> Before I went to any major Games, I always set-up with a camera and long
> lens, 280, 400 or whatever at the side of the highway.  Shooting a pile of
> film, working on my reflexes to trip the shutter and manually focus on the
> front of oncoming cars.