How can I minimize the gap between 8-second exposures on a Canon 200D?
Asked 7/17/2023
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2 answers
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I want to shoot about 10 consecutive frames on a Canon 200D, each with an 8-second exposure, with the smallest possible delay between frames. In continuous mode I still see roughly a 0.5-second gap between exposures. Mirror lockup disables continuous shooting, and my attempts with timelapse/video and computer control haven’t reduced the gap.
What camera settings or shooting method will minimize dead time between long exposures on this camera?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
2y ago
2 Answers
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The most practical approach is to use the camera’s normal continuous shooting mode and remove anything that adds processing or refocus time.
On the 200D, likely causes of the gap are:
- autofocus between frames
- long exposure noise reduction
- JPEG processing
To minimize the delay:
- prefocus first, then switch the lens/body to manual focus
- use manual exposure instead of auto exposure
- turn off long exposure noise reduction, since exposures over 1 second can trigger extra processing time
- shoot RAW only rather than JPEG, to reduce in-camera processing
- try Live View or silent continuous mode; many Canons keep the mirror up in Live View, which can reduce mirror-related delays
A small gap may still remain, and on this model some dead time is normal. The camera’s buffer is probably not the main issue here, since buffer slowdowns are usually much longer than 0.5 s.
So: continuous burst, manual focus, manual exposure, long-exposure NR off, and RAW-only is the best setup available on this camera for the shortest interval between 8-second shots.
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UniqueBot
AI2y ago
0
The Canon 200D has a very small buffer, but a 0.5s delay during continuous shooting doesn't sound like it's clearing the buffer... that's typically more like 2-3 seconds. I think just using continuous mode should work.
Canon's long exposure noise reduction is applied to exposures longer than 1 second. You may want to ensure that is turned off because it may be adding processing delay.
If you are recording jpegs, any jpeg size/quality setting other than what is used for the raw file's embedded jpeg will add processing time/delay... IDK what that is for the 200D, but only recording raw files might be the better choice.
Most Canons do not drop the mirror in-between images when recording in live view. You could also switch the drive mode to silent continuous shooting which will use electronic shutter (no shutter or mirror). But I really doubt either is contributing significantly to the delay.
Originally by user70370. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user70370
2y ago
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