How often do you use a self-timer?

[airfrogusmc]

Only when I forget my cable release.

 

[shimokita]

One "feature" of the Nikon F3P is that it doesn't have a self timer and a rubber cap covers the shutter button ;-) There is a cable release solution if you use the MD-4 (motor drive). Only use a self timer for stabilization...

 

[ChrisPlatt]

The self-timer is often the first thing to go on older mechanical cameras.
Are you feeling lucky today? Try it and hope your camera doesn't jam up.

Chris

 

[farlymac]

I thought about it some more, and there were often times many years ago where I'd use the timer for situations where the shutter speeds were long, and the light was low. It helps to get the camera shaking done from the mirror slapping up before the shutter fires when doing astrophotography. Some night photos taken at Christmastime. Anytime I don't want my hand to be on the camera inducing shake. With the new DLSRs it's now electronically controlled, so no issues with jamming shutters. But I can go long periods of time between uses.


PF

 

[Rob-F]

I will use it to reduce camera shake when using a tripod. About once every 7 to 14 years.

 

[Hari]

Nikon F and F2 self timers can be set for the second.
The F2 self timer doubles as long exposures 2-10 sec.
I've got the add on Leica screw mount era APDOO that's
a lot of fun. My Leica M2 lacks the self timer.

 

[Hari]

I sometimes use the self time if there's no cable release

 

[Richard G]

My M9-P shutter button is not as smooth as my Monochrom or M2. When I am hand holding a slow shutter speed I will put the camera to 2s self timer and will remove one step in getting the exposure. I think it makes a difference when the precise timing of the shot doesn't matter. The down side is when the light is better and a dynamic subject arrives and I've forgotten this unconventional setting.

 

[E.M]

I used to use it a lot in the past and would like to have it on my M6. I think Leica should have put it on the M-A there is room because there is no battery compartment. It is also nice looking imo.
When with a friend I put it a few meters away and made a picture of us . Now sometimes I ask someone to make a photo of us, usually I ask a woman on stilettos, never someone on running shoes.

 

[Hari]

There's that scene in the doc-fiction about
Weegee's solving a case by getting the
shot with the self timer on a skate!!

 

[Deleted member 65559]

I used to use it a lot in the past and would like to have it on my M6. I think Leica should have put it on the M-A there is room because there is no battery compartment. It is also nice looking imo.
When with a friend I put it a few meters away and made a picture of us . Now sometimes I ask someone to make a photo of us, usually I ask a woman on stilettos, never someone on running shoes.

The MA likely just has vulcanite over the battery chamber of the common MP/MA body shell. It would have been a higher production cost to add a self-timer.

 

[hendriphile]

I've taken many a great shots at dusk and even dark with nothing but the self timer, mostly on my Leica's. Set your camera on a fence post, stone wall, even a big rock and use the self timer. Sometimes you need to hold unto the camera to keep it from falling off a natural support but just apply firm pressure downward. No I don't use it all time and no I don't use it with a tripod (who carries a tripod with a 35mm film camera).

This has come in handy from time to time.

Also, when you're abroad solus and want yourself in a couple of frames, are you going to hand over your M3 to a stranger in a foreign land whose language you don't speak? It's a life-saver in such situations.

 

[dof]

I've taken to using a bulb-activated pneumatic cable release in place of the self timer when the need arises. Got one in the late nineties and it's become a staple for use with film cameras.

The self timer modes on the digital cameras I've owned have had every feature I've needed. The LED timer countdown features in particular are great for group portraits.

I rely on my voice for the countdown when using the bulb release with a film camera. Old-school - I know, but it works just as well!

 

[Doug]

This reminds me of my Pentax Spotmatic Motor Drive model... The drive's battery/grip has a shutter-release trigger and is detachable -- There's a 10m accessory cord to connect the grip to the motor... I recall using that configuration for selfies with a girlfriend out hiking... in 1970!

 

[Gregm61]

The one camera where I used the timer relatively often was the Nikon F2, where I could set it to time shutter speeds longer than one second.

 

[kram]

I have found I use the self timer now and again. When I use a camera without a timer (i.e Zeiss ZM), it is a right pain when you need to use one and the camera is lacking one.

 

[seany65]

I've never used one, except to see if it works.

When I got my Ensign Selfix 20 mk5 it actually had a self-timer (a quite rare thing), and it didn't work, so when I got the rest of it checked and adjusted I hed the tech repair that as well. Even though I never use self-timers, and it added to the cost of the work, lol.


I've also got an auto-knipps mk2. I got it to give me 1/2 second and longer speeds for my Gevaert Gevabox 6x9, but I can't get it to work properly. I'm probably using it incorrectly, but the numbers on the long bit which runs alongside the cable release are so indistinct that I can't tell if I'm not setting it right.

 

[Hari]

I've got one of those auto-knipps, mine lacks
the cable socket. I think it's hard to find one that
functions with a plunger action.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Honestly, I could use it much more. But tripod is a such buttpainer.

 

[B-9]

... tripod is a such buttpainer.

Ko, this would make a good T-Shirt.