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A self-timer is a device on a
A self-timer is a device on a camera
A camera is an instrument used to capture and store images and videos, either digitally via an electronic image sensor, or chemically via a light-sensitive material such as photographic film. As a pivotal technology in the fields of photograp ...
that gives a delay between pressing the shutter release and the shutter's firing. It is most commonly used to allow the photographer to take a photo of themselves (often with a group of other people), hence the name.
Camera shake
The self-timer is also used to reduce camera shake when taking photographs in low light or with long (telephoto
A telephoto lens, also known as telelens, is a specific type of a long-focus lens used in photography and cinematography, in which the physical length of the lens is shorter than the focal length. This is achieved by incorporating a special lens ...
) 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 single-lens reflex camera's) to die out. It also eliminates any photographer-induced camera motion when the shutter button is pressed.
Single-lens reflex cameras have to flip up the viewing mirror before the picture is taken, which can also shake the camera. It is not uncommon for a camera to combine mirror lockup
Mirror lock-up (often abbreviated to MLU) is a feature employed in many Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras. It allows the operator to reduce vibration-induced motion blur during exposure. It also allows the mounting of lenses which extend into th ...
with the two-second self-timer mode, which reduces camera shake still further.
Flash and delay
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 and five-second settings. A few cameras provide continuously variable delay. 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'' (Pre-drive).Alternative
Alternatives to the self-timer include acable release
The Bulb setting (abbreviated B) on camera shutters is a momentary-action mode that holds shutters open for as long as a photographer depresses the shutter-release button. The Bulb setting is distinct from shutter's Time (T) setting, which is ...
, and infrared or radio remote control.
See also
*Bulb (photography)
The Bulb setting (abbreviated B) on camera shutters is a momentary-action mode that holds shutters open for as long as a photographer depresses the shutter-release button. The Bulb setting is distinct from shutter's Time (T) setting, which is ...
*Intervalometer
An intervalometer, also called an interval meter or interval timer, is a Machine, device that measures short intervals of time. People commonly use such devices to signal, in accurate time intervals, the operation of some other device. The inte ...
*Long-exposure photography
Long-exposure, time-exposure, or slow-shutter photography involves using a long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements. Long-exposure photography ...
External link
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Self-timer Camera features Timers Selfies