"Shutter lag - is a common compact bugbear."

My top tip for compacts - if you have a viewfinder (not all of them do these days) then switch off the LCD display and use it, some cameras will speed up dramatically without having to refresh the screen, and shutter lag can be reduced.

Also use the pre-focus, focus on a spot on the ground where you want the rider to be in your photo. Do this, & fully release the shutter when the rider goes past. Shutter lag usually not a problem if you do this, especially important for jump shots.

Great photos all of the above.

alright stranger, you still in Malaysia?

Yeah - pre-focus makes a huge difference. If your camera has manual modes you can often get a quicker shutter response too.

I thought long and hard about getting a DSLR (looking at the EOS400D), but ended up getting a Canon G7, which is fantastic. What swung the balance was the fact that a DSLR is always going to be bulky in a camelbak (even the Dakine Apex I've got), whereas a smaller compact can fit into just about any pack.

Nikon D40 fits nicely in my Deuter Superbike pack and that's with it contained in a Lowepro toploader case.

;-)

Focus, aputure, exposure time, have to be established before the shot is taken in automatic mode. As previously described, if the shutter button is depressed half way the settings are captured allowing the shutter to release almost imediatly when the button is fully depressed.


I've also got the Canon G7, the manual mode is exellent for a compact.

JB
Does your mount as a device on your desktop when attached, as mine doesn't. It just opens iphoto ready for import. (Mac OS)

Great article, some really useful tips there.