Troubleshooting: USB camera shutter not in sync with the app

(Flash or Shutter Sound Happens Before the Photo is Taken)

If your connected USB camera is snapping photos noticeably after the Booth.Events app flashes the screen or plays the shutter sound, this is almost always caused by an issue with autofocus timing.

The Booth.Events app sends a “fire autofocus” signal about 1 second (by default) before taking the photo. This gives your camera time to lock focus. When the actual photo command is sent, it tells the camera not to refocus, since doing so would delay the shot and throw off the sync.

If you're experiencing this delay, here’s how to fix it:

1. Fix the Lighting First

Autofocus depends on light and contrast. If your test shots are in a dim room or at night without proper lighting, your camera will struggle to lock focus quickly.

✅ Make sure your camera setup is well-lit - ideally with event lighting or studio-quality lights.

✅ Try pointing your camera at a subject that’s brightly lit by a lamp or softbox.

✅ Increase contrast by angling the light slightly to the side rather than directly on the subject - this helps the camera “see” depth more easily.

Tip: Many sync problems in Booth.Events are caused by trying to test in a dark home environment. Lighting makes a huge difference!

2. Adjust Camera Autofocus Settings

Check your camera’s focus mode settings next. The wrong autofocus mode can cause your camera to refocus at the wrong time, creating delays.

✅ Use Single-Shot AF (One-Shot AF):

This tells the camera to focus once and hold that focus until the shutter fires.

❌ Avoid Servo / Continuous AF (AI Servo):

This will cause the camera to keep refocusing, even during the final shot adding unwanted delay.

3. Tweak In-App Autofocus Timing (Slow Autofocus Mode)

If your lens is slow to focus or the delay is still noticeable, try enabling the Slow Autofocus setting in Booth.Events:

1. With your camera connected, open the Camera Settings in the Booth.Events iPad app.
2. Scroll the settings right-to-left until you find “Slow Autofocus.”
3. Turn it ON – this changes the autofocus command to be sent 2 seconds before the photo, instead of 1 second.

This gives slower lenses more time to lock focus before the shutter fires.

4. Switch to Manual Focus (Advanced)

If you're using a fixed distance or shooting in a controlled environment, switching to manual focus can eliminate timing issues altogether.

• Turn off autofocus on your camera or lens (usually a physical switch).
• Set a higher aperture (e.g. f/6.3 or above) to get more depth of field—this helps ensure your subjects are in focus even if they move slightly.
• Make sure your lighting is strong, since high apertures require more light.

Summary of Fixes for Camera Sync Delay in Booth.Events

• Improve lighting and contrast for faster focus
• Use Single-Shot AF mode instead of Servo/Continuous AF
• Enable Slow Autofocus in Booth.Events camera settings
• Use manual focus with high aperture for full control

Still running into issues syncing your USB camera with the app? Contact us at support@booth.events and we’ll help fine-tune your setup.