Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/08/05

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Subject: Re: [Leica] M7 vs M3 "lag time" -- How can we find out some real numbers?
From: Douglas Herr <telyt@earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 15:19:35 -0700 (PDT)

Ted Grant <tedgrant@shaw.ca> wrote:

> Gee folks I have to ask, I suppose this is of some critical 
> mass measuring moment of timing information, but what the 
> heck in the world does it have to do with actually taking a 
> really cool photograph?
>
> And exactly what does it have to do with catching a moment of 
> motivation?
>
> And oh please dear God don't tell me it makes the difference 
> between a successful photo OR not!

But that's exactly what it is.  If I'd had to wait for the camera to focus, to stabilize or if it took it's sweet time getting the shutter open this photo would have been only twigs:

http://www.wildlightphoto.com/birds/prwa0.html

> And does the photographer releasing the shutter
> knowingly calculate this delay into the exact moment of 
> release??

No of course not - but the more time there is between the photographer thinking "NOW" and the shutter opening the greater the chances are that something is going to change between the first squish of flesh on the shutter button and the closing of the 2nd curtain.

> And if that's the case what the hell have I been doing wrong 
> the past 50 years not knowing about these highly technical 
> delays? OK since I started using M cameras 40 years ago?

How many different types of camera do you use at the same time?  I'd guess at most two, M and R.  You have enough experience with these that the delay has been programmed into your neurons.  When I used an R4sP I missed too many photos with the R4sP 'cuz it's shutter lag was noticable longer than the SL's. I gave it 10 years to re-program my neurons and the lag was still too long, too much stuff changed during the lag.


Doug Herr
Birdman of Sacramento
http://www.wildlightphoto.com
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