Topic: self-timers

[choppert]

Tally-ho,

Can anyone recommend mechanical self timers?  I've looked on the bay and they seem to be antique/collector types.

All I want is a small cheap version - help!

Chops

[Francois]

I think you stand a better chance of finding a cheap bulb type release than a mechanical self timer...

I've only seen a mechanical self timer once in my life... and most of the people at the camera show didn't know what it was

[Heather]

I bought a clockwork one. I can't get it to trigger any of my old cameras - it's just not strong enough to push down hard enough like a cable release can.

[Francois]

You could go DIY using parts of an old cable release, a solenoid and a timer...
Spiratone used to make an intervalometer (Spiratone Surefire) that works with a 9 volt battery. It uses a 1/16 audio jack and can be connected to just about anything.

In my head, I see a plan for something using an old cable release (for the camera side plunger and screw on thread) with a small solenoid mounted on it. All this hooked up to a battery and a MOC 3010 series opto-isolator (it's more complicated looking than it is and it isolates the potentially higher voltage mechanical side from the electronics side). On the intervalometer side, I would just put a small resistor to avoid burning the diode inside the opto-isolator...

I know it sounds complex but if you know somebody with basic electronics knowledge, they could probably whip up the main parts in an afternoon...

[Pete_R]

Nah! What you do is teach the dog to run at exactly one meter per second. You also teach him how to use a cable release. You then place the dog exactly the number of meters away that you want to delay the shutter and let him go. Works every time and doesn't use any of this new fangled electronic stuff...

Anyway Chops. I've discovered what you want it for. You obviously want to go into competition with this guy and see if you can get further away from the camera than him in two seconds.

[choppert]

Anyway Chops. I've discovered what you want it for. You obviously want to go into competition with this guy and see if you can get further away from the camera than him in two seconds.

Wicked!!!!