Why doesn't the N95 click IMMEDIATELY?

[Nokia N95]

Suppose I have to take an instant picture... of say, someone tossing a ball up in the air and I need a picture of the person with the ball in mid-air, I click when the ball is at highest position, but .... by the time the phone takes the picture... the ball is back in the person's hand and he's gone to sleep!!

Isn't there a way the N95 takes a picture AS SOON AS the button is clicked? ... instead of waking up... then focusing... then taking 2-3 seconds to capture?

[vash_h]

thts the difference between a camera phone and a digicam bro..

[pseudofinn]

Are you using auto-mode? It has to focus. Try sports mode if you haven't already.

[Homer]

The best chance you have got is to half press the button and get the green focus lock then wait for the moment and press the button the rest of the way. You will still need to anticipate the moment by a split second.

It's the same with most digital cameras, and is known as "shutter lag", although it's really the autofocus and autoexposure causing the lag.

[pseudofinn]

The problem that I have with your suggestion, Homer, is that if he's trying to capture an image with a good amount of movement, as it sounds, automode is more likely to result in a blurred image than sports mode. Sports mode also has the benefit of not using the autofocus, which in this case is actually a benefit. If the guy catching the ball is running and you get a focus lock on him, when he catches the ball further or closer down the field, your autofocus is going to be off.

Try sports mode. No autofocus, quicker shutter speed, less chance of blur.

Even though the N95 has a mechanical shutter, it's still not going to rival the shutter speed of a regular camera. Especially in automode. Sports mode is the best chance you have, in my opinion.

Cheers

[Vitrify]

I would agree with pseudo, I got my friend highjumping with sports mode so...

[Nokia N95]

Can you post a couple of pics?

WHOever's been successful capturing something/someone in mid-air... I'd like to see that please.

Thanks in advance.

[nin95]

professional cameras all require a bit of focusing first

[pseudofinn]

nin95 is right... real cameras require focusing to get allow for a crisp shot- and the N95 is the closest the mobile market has come to a real camera so far. Of course, even though the N95 has an actual mechanical shutter, the shutter speed still isn't fast enough to capture much motion with any reliability.

The best I can show you as far as motion capturing goes is my dog playing with her Kong chew toys. I call it Kong Fest. All of those shots were taken with "Sports mode". On auto setting, it would have been out of focus, and blurred even if it did get a good focus lock due to the slowish shutter speed. Despite these shortcomings, it's far better from the results you'll achieve with practically any other device of its kind on the market today. Certainly any I've personally come across yet.

Still, the N95 just isn't all that brilliant at capturing this type of moment in time. We'll have to wait a bit for that yet- after all, as good as the N95 is, it's not a professional camera! You really have to set a shot up and be patient with the device.

[Nokia N95]

Thanks pseudofinn for the sample pictures... I guess sports mode worked out pretty well for you.

Would love to see more shots though... specifically, something captured in mid-air... anyone?