HuubL
hunter-gatherer
I was just browsing through some recent posts and noticed several about selftimers. Magus doesn't like them and in the Russian forum Spyderman and others are removing them from Kievs... What's wrong with selftimers?
back alley
IMAGES
i never use them, perhaps folks prefer the cleaner look of no self timer?
350D_user
B+W film devotee
Beats me. If a camera has one, I rarely use it. If the camera hasn't got one, it's not missed.
M
Magus
Guest
Post deleted by posters request
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
I agree Magus, but on my M4s it's not in the way.
BTW, people seem to like them on a IIIf. It increases it's value with 150-dollar easily
BTW, people seem to like them on a IIIf. It increases it's value with 150-dollar easily
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
I don't like them - mostly because it seems 9 times out of 10, if the camera is jammed beyond what I can fix, it's because of the Self timer. One more thing to go wrong.
I have them on a few cameras... with the exception of the digital, where it was needed to avoid bumping the camera during exposure at night, I've never used them.
I have them on a few cameras... with the exception of the digital, where it was needed to avoid bumping the camera during exposure at night, I've never used them.
MartinP
Veteran
They are handy if you have a Fed or Zorki (I have only tested a FED3 and Z.4) and don't have a cable release to make a timed exposure of around four seconds.
I think someone else passed on the tip here, but I have found it useful so . . . Set the shutter to "B" and wind then fire the self timer. There is a consistent delay between the two shutter curtains although, on my examples, it is about a second different between the FED and the Zorki. Test before use, and then save some fiddling around with cable-releases and counting
Also useful for the family group etc, as originally envisaged I suppose....
I think someone else passed on the tip here, but I have found it useful so . . . Set the shutter to "B" and wind then fire the self timer. There is a consistent delay between the two shutter curtains although, on my examples, it is about a second different between the FED and the Zorki. Test before use, and then save some fiddling around with cable-releases and counting
Also useful for the family group etc, as originally envisaged I suppose....
palec
Well-known
I like selftimers. I have to like it, how can I make whole family photos without it? There is some magic in running from camera to the rest of posed group several times
Finder
Veteran
I'm glad my cameras have a self-timer. They have saved me from camera shake a few times. Also good for tripod work when you forget a cable release.
colinh
Well-known
Finder said:
Exactly! The M7 doesn't have one, but the M2 and M3 do. I tried taking a sneaky no hands shot using the self-timer and the camera around my neck - but it made such a racket that I never tried that again
I also think it looks good on a III - the more controls, dials and levers the better
colin
markinlondon
Elmar user
I have M2s with and without selftimers. I prefer the one without. Every time I take my camera out of the bag I get an irritating little ticky noise where I've inadvertently grabbed the selftimer. It also falls under my fingers when I'm walking about with the camera so I find myself fiddling with it. To my mind their only use is the avoidance of camera shake in static shots at low speeds but I'll agree with Colin about the look of the III DA versions, they have that utterly cool '50s "mad scientist" look.
ferider
Veteran
They are very useful instead of cable release, on tripod or when bracing
the camera against something and shooting slow.
Roland.
the camera against something and shooting slow.
Roland.
V
varjag
Guest
I think removing self timer on Kiev/Contax makes shutter action less jerky.
And I'd concur with Mark: on M4, self-timer always gets in the way and makes a buzz now and then.
On all cameras with mechanical self-timer I owned, it was used perhaps twice.
And I'd concur with Mark: on M4, self-timer always gets in the way and makes a buzz now and then.
On all cameras with mechanical self-timer I owned, it was used perhaps twice.
edodo
Well-known
Once had a button rewind M2 without selftimer... Was the best M I've handheld, such a nice grip...
dmr
Registered Abuser
I know on the GIII it has the reputation of jamming and preventing the shutter from operating.
As long as I've been taking photos, I can't remember a single time using a self timer. In fact, my K1000 does not have one and I didn't realize it until several years later. They really are most useful when you use a tripod, and I seldom use those.
As long as I've been taking photos, I can't remember a single time using a self timer. In fact, my K1000 does not have one and I didn't realize it until several years later. They really are most useful when you use a tripod, and I seldom use those.
Se44
Newbie
selftimer
selftimer
Hi! For my style of shooting selftimer is very important:
I dont like to go around with a heavy tripod; many times I shoot freehand, but when I want a long exposure, then I just rest my M3 anywhere and use the selftimer as an in camera tripod. Works wonders; in fact I never upgrade to one of the new Leicas due to the lack of a selftimer.
If you work only freehand, well then, of course selftimer has no reason of being.
Kind regards
Sergio
selftimer
Hi! For my style of shooting selftimer is very important:
I dont like to go around with a heavy tripod; many times I shoot freehand, but when I want a long exposure, then I just rest my M3 anywhere and use the selftimer as an in camera tripod. Works wonders; in fact I never upgrade to one of the new Leicas due to the lack of a selftimer.
If you work only freehand, well then, of course selftimer has no reason of being.
Kind regards
Sergio