One of the annoying "features" of some digital cameras is the delay between the time you push the shutter release button and the time the shutter actually opens and closes.
I've created a short QuickTime movie that will help you evaluate the delay your camera
has.
Download the QuickTime movie to your computer and run it with the QuickTime Player. [22 January 2007 - I have added a version of the test movie in Windows Media Player form. Download here.]
The movie starts with a countdown timer on a black background with beeps and numbers:
5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1. Each beep/number represents one second. They are designed to help
you get set to push the shutter release at -0-.
Examine the picture you just made. Numbers on a white background are tenths of a second up to 1 second which starts the beige background times ( 1.0 seconds to 1.9 seconds ). 2 seconds to 2.5 seconds are on a blue background.
Try the test several times.
Note: This is a modified version of the test I first posted on my website 13 August
2003.
9 January 2006
Frederick L. Shippey, Electronic Imaging Consulting