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Self timer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A self timer is a device on a camera that gives a delay between pressing


the shutter release and the shutter's firing. It is most commonly used to
let photographers to take a photo of themselves (often with family),
hence the name.

The self-timer is also used to reduce camera shake when taking


photographs in low light or with long (telephoto) lenses. The timer's
delay gives the photographer time to steady the camera before the
shutter fires, and allows vibrations from the mirror flipping up (on
SLRs) to die out. It also eliminates any photographer-induced camera A manual self-timer
motion when the shutter button is pressed.

Most modern cameras with a self-timer flash a light during the


countdown, emit a beeping sound, or both. These warnings generally
increase in speed or intensity during the last few seconds, to warn that
the shutter is about to fire.

The most common delay is ten seconds. Some cameras also have a two-
second setting. A few cameras provide continuously variable delay.

Single-lens reflex cameras have to flip up the viewing mirror before the A manual self-timer mounted on a
picture is taken, which can also shake the camera. It is not uncommon film camera
for a camera to combine mirror lockup with the two-second self-timer
mode, which reduces camera shake still further.

Alternatives to the self-timer include a cable release, and infrared or


radio remote control.

On some leaf-shutter cameras, the self-timer mode is selected with the


flash-sync lever, and is marked V, for the German word Vorlaufwerk.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?


title=Self_timer&oldid=770751245" A self-timer button on a Canon digital
camera
Categories: Photography equipment Timers

This page was last edited on 17 March 2017, at 10:37.


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