with spd's I hardly had to look down to clip in, and could pedal a few strokes before I clipped in. I now have ultegra pedals w/ road shoes and cleats, and clipping in takes more concentration and deliberance.
I usually push off strongly, then look down (longer than w/ spd's) to get the pedal right, then position foot and clip in. The smooth carbon sole below the cleat does not allow ANY pedaling if the pedal ends up there, my foot slides off the pedal like ice. So, I take a second longer on the "look down" phase to get it right the first time.