diff --git a/camlibs/kodak/dc210/dc210.h b/camlibs/kodak/dc210/dc210.h
index 0dc9e2c37..50efe5fa2 100644
--- a/camlibs/kodak/dc210/dc210.h
+++ b/camlibs/kodak/dc210/dc210.h
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ typedef struct {
 } dc210_picture_info ;
 
 #undef DEBUG
-#define TIMEOUT 1000
+#define TIMEOUT 500
 #define RETRIES 5
 #define GP_MODULE "kodak-dc210"
 
diff --git a/camlibs/kodak/dc210/library.c b/camlibs/kodak/dc210/library.c
index 8f8a1e7a9..6aeb2140d 100644
--- a/camlibs/kodak/dc210/library.c
+++ b/camlibs/kodak/dc210/library.c
@@ -730,7 +730,10 @@ int dc210_init_port (Camera *camera){
 
 	/* ok, run a dummy command; if the camera was off,
 	   this will activate it and set the speed to 9600; 
-	   but the command will return an error */
+	   but the command will return an error;
+	   It makes no sense to shorten the timout time, 
+	   because it may need up to 10 seconds (information
+	   of the manual) to startup */
 	if (dc210_check_battery(camera) == GP_OK) return GP_OK;
 
 	/* Fine, the last command didn't work, but we are now