This site is really valuable. But who is the chief guru? I'd like to see if you would add a couple of things to check out and report on when you review a camera.

1. Self -Timer and Metering

When set to self-timer mode, some cameras perform their exposure and range metering at the time the shutter button is pressed. Some do it at the time immediately before the picture is taken. More cameras do it the former way, which is really dumb! Let us know how each camera performs this parameter.

I have plenty of cases where I have to use the self-timer feature. My Agfa ePhoto 1280 does it the right way. My Olympus C-2000 doesn't, but it has a remote control, which really is as good as, or better than self-timer done the right way. A Kodak tech support rep told me that the DC290 does it the right way.

2. Video Output

With some cameras the video output is the same video that feeds the LCD monitor. With others, the video is directed to the output only during "playback." In the former case the video out can be connected to a TV monitor which can then be used for composing a shot. This is great when using macro mode or self portraits.

The Agfa ePhoto 1280 and the Olympus C-2000 have continuous video out, which can be used for composing shots. Kodak's SC290 and Sony's DSC-F505 have video out only for playback. Not having continuous video out is a fatal deficiency for me. Please let us know whether a camera's video output is continuous or available in playback only.

Thanks,

- Dave McKeen

-- Dave McKeen (dmckeen@bigfoot.com), December 13, 1999

Answers

I'd also like to see this info in reviews, but I don't agree with Dave's assessment of "the right way." I *want* exposure and focus to lock when the button is pressed, rather than just before the picture is taken.

Why? Usually when using the self-timer, you've got the camera on a tripod or other support. I want to be able to focus and meter the most important area of the picture -- which may NOT be dead-center -- then recompose before the shutter goes off. If the camera locks settings when I press the release, I've still got plenty of time to re-aim it before it fires. If it locks settings just before the picture is taken, I'm stuck with focusing/metering the center of the frame -- whether that's appropriate for my composition or not.

Again, though, I agree with Dave that it would be good to know which way each camer

-- Jim Williams (jlw@eritas.org), December 17, 1999.