Continuous Focus

I have a Canon S2IS. Could someone please explain the benefits of
continuous focus vs focus when you shoot. I understand that continous would
use more battery but would it help with action shots etc. Many thanks

Larry

"Larry" wrote in message
. 76...
I have a Canon S2IS. Could someone please explain the benefits of
continuous focus vs focus when you shoot. I understand that continous
would
use more battery but would it help with action shots etc. Many thanks

Larry

Hi Larry,
I may be wrong, but in my view, you still have shutter lag.
Marcel

"Larry" wrote in message
. 76...
I have a Canon S2IS. Could someone please explain the benefits of
continuous focus vs focus when you shoot. I understand that continous would
use more battery but would it help with action shots etc. Many thanks

Larry

Larry:

I presume that your Canon S2-IS is like every other P&S digital camera in
this regard.

In the normal mode, the camera begins to autofocus when you depress the
"shutter release" button. Depending on the scene, lighting, and camera,
this can cause a noticeable delay before the camera has achieved the proper
focus. (Some cameras will take the picture immediately if you completely
push the button, but there is no guarantee that the focus is correct.)

In Continuous-Focus mode, the camera is constantly autofocusing where
ever it is pointed. Hence there is a good probability that the camera has
achieved focus and can take the picture immediately when you depress
the button. The down-side is indeed that battery life will be shortened.

I admit that I haven't tried Continuous-Focus modes on my cameras.
I've had good luck with both using manual focusing to pre-focus where
I expect to take the picture, or using the half-press_and_hold method.
All three approaches are designed to circumvent what is often called
"shutter lag" in P&S digital cameras.

I hope that helps.


--
Dan (Woj...) [dmaster](no space)[at](no space)[lucent](no space)[dot](no
space)[com]
===============================
"Did I see the shade of a sailor / On the bridge through the wheelhouse pane
Held fast to the wheel of the rocking ship/ As I squinted my eyes in the rain
For the ship had turned into the wind/ Against the storm to brace
And underneath the sailor's hat/ I saw my father's face"

"Dan Wojciechowski" wrote in
:

"Larry" wrote in message
. 76...
I have a Canon S2IS. Could someone please explain the benefits of
continuous focus vs focus when you shoot. I understand that continous
would use more battery but would it help with action shots etc. Many
thanks

Larry

Larry:

I presume that your Canon S2-IS is like every other P&S digital camera
in this regard.

In the normal mode, the camera begins to autofocus when you depress
the "shutter release" button. Depending on the scene, lighting, and
camera, this can cause a noticeable delay before the camera has
achieved the proper focus. (Some cameras will take the picture
immediately if you completely push the button, but there is no
guarantee that the focus is correct.)

In Continuous-Focus mode, the camera is constantly autofocusing where
ever it is pointed. Hence there is a good probability that the camera
has achieved focus and can take the picture immediately when you
depress the button. The down-side is indeed that battery life will be
shortened.

I admit that I haven't tried Continuous-Focus modes on my cameras.
I've had good luck with both using manual focusing to pre-focus where
I expect to take the picture, or using the half-press_and_hold method.
All three approaches are designed to circumvent what is often called
"shutter lag" in P&S digital cameras.

I hope that helps.



Thanks Dan - it helps