The history and functions of self-timers on analog still cameras are diverse and have evolved over time. Early mechanical cameras often did not have built-in self-timers, but it was possible to connect external self-timers. These were often powered by clockwork mechanisms that created a delay between the shutter release and the shot being taken. Often this accessory was attached to the cable release connector. This gave the photographer enough time to position himself in the picture or to avoid camera shake with longer exposure times.
Later, cameras with built-in self-timers came onto the market. In most cases, the self-timer had to be cocked. By pressing the shutter button, the mechanics ran and the recording was captured on the film material.
In analogue cameras with integrated electronics, which came onto the market later, the triggering was then triggered by an electronic signal. In the 1990s, most 35mm cameras had a built-in self-timer. The lead time, i.e. the time between the start of the self-timer and the recording, was usually ten seconds. Some models also offer the option of taking several pictures in a row.
Areas of application for a self-timer
There are many different uses for the self-timer on analogue cameras. Here are some of the most important:
Group photos
When trying to take a group photo, it is often difficult to get everyone in position before the photo is taken. With the self-timer you can put yourself in the picture after placing the camera on a tripod or a stable surface.
Self-portraits
When trying to take a self-portrait, it’s often difficult to release the camera’s shutter button in time while staying in position. With the self-timer you can place the camera on a tripod or a stable surface and then go into the picture in peace.
Long exposures
When you want to take a long exposure, you often have to hold down the camera’s shutter button for several seconds or even minutes. With the self-timer you can place the camera on a tripod or a stable surface and then activate the self-timer. This allows you to let go of the camera while the photo is being taken.
Avoiding camera shake
Holding the camera by hand can easily result in camera shake, which blurs the image. With the self-timer you can place the camera on a tripod or a stable surface and then activate the self-timer. This way you can avoid camera shake and take sharp pictures.
Experimental Photography
The self-timer can also be used for experimental photography. For example, you can place the camera on a tripod and activate the self-timer before dropping the camera or exposing it to some other unforeseen event. In this way, interesting and unusual images can be created.
Model overview
- Twin-lens reflex camera
- 120
Seagull 4B
A cheap two-lens reflex camera from the Far East.
- Twin-lens reflex camera
- 120
Seagull 4C
A TLR for medium format and 35mm film by Seagull.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Seagull DF-300
The Seagull DF-300 is an SLR camera and is based on a model from Minolta.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Sears KS 500
The Sears KS 500 is a 1979 manual SLR camera with a Pentax K-mount, ideal for 35mm film.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Sears TLS
The Sears TLS is a single lens reflex camera for M42 lenses.
Smena-8
A 35mm camera from the USSR from various manufacturers.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Soligor SR-300 MD
The Soligor SR-300 MD is a Chinese-made camera based on a Japanese model.
Sputnik
The Sputnik is a stereo camera for medium format film built by LOMO / GOMZ in Leningrad.
Taron Auto EE
The Taron Auto EE is a rangefinder camera from the 60's from Japan of the manufacturer Taron.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Topcon Wink Mirror S
The Topcon Wink Mirror S is a single lens reflex camera and was built by Tōkyō Kōgaku.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Universa Interflex TL
The Universa Interflex TL is a single lens reflex camera built by Cosina and sold by a German company.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar 220/SL
The Vivitar 220/SL is a manual SLR camera with a light meter for 35mm film.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar 250/SL
The Vivitar 250/SL is a 35mm SLR camera with M42 mount. It offers manual focus and a versatile flash system.
Vivitar 35EF
The Vivitar 35EF is a compact camera from the 1970s with zone focus for the 35mm format.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar 400/SL
The Vivitar 400/SL is a mechanical 35mm SLR camera with M42 mount made in Japan.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar V3000s
The Vivitar V3000s is a mechanical SLR camera from the 1990s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar V3300SE
The Vivitar V3300SE is a mechanical 35mm SLR camera with a Pentax K bayonet.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar V3800N
The Vivitar V3800N is a 35mm SLR camera made in China, ideal for beginners and purists of analog photography.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar V4000s
The Vivitar V4000 is an entry-level SLR camera for the 35mm format from the 1980s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar V50
The Vivitar V50 is an SLR camera for 35mm camera with Minolta bayonet.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XC-2
The Vivitar XC-2 is a M42 single lens reflex camera built in Japan.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XC-3
The Vivitar XC-3 is a SLR camera with an M42 thread for the 35mm format from the 1970s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XC-4
The Vivitar XC-4 is a 35mm SLR camera with manual focus, M42 screw thread and TTL exposure metering.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XV-1
The Vivitar XV-1 is a mechanical 35mm SLR camera with a Pentax K interchangeable lens mount.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XV-10
The Vivitar XV-10 is a manually operated 35mm SLR camera with TTL exposure metering made in Japan.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XV-11
The Vivitar XV-11 is a 1980s SLR camera made in Japan.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XV-2
The Vivitar XV-2 is a compact analog 35mm SLR camera made in Japan.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XV-20
The Vivitar XV-20 is an analog 35mm SLR camera with automatic aperture and manual focus.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XV-3
The Vivitar XV-3 is a versatile 35mm SLR camera with automatic aperture priority made in Japan.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Vivitar XV-5
The Vivitar XV-5 is a compact 35mm SLR camera with exposure metering and Pentax K-mount.
Voigtländer VF 135
A rangefinder camera from Voigtländer that is identical to the Rollei XF 35.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Voigtländer VSL 43
The Voigtländer VSL 43 is a Cosina built SLR camera with Pentax K bayonet.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Wards SLR 700
The Wards SLR 700 is a Konica FP SLR camera and was sold under the private label of the American department store chain "Montgomery Ward".
Yashica Electro 35
The Yashica Electro 35 is a Japanese rangefinder camera and was the first model in Yashica's Electro line.
Yashica Lynx 14E
The Yashica Lynx 14E is a 1960s 35mm rangefinder with a fast f/1.4 lens.
Yashica T2
A compact camera for 35mm film with a 35 mm lens from Carl Zeiss.
Yashica T3
A compact camera by Yashica with a Carl Zeiss f2.8 lens.
Yashica T3D
A compact camera from Kyocera with a data back.
Yashica T4
A Japanese compact camera with Carl Zeiss lens.
Yashica T4 Zoom
The Yashica T4 Zoom is a compact camera with a zoom lens from Zeiss.
Yashica T5
A compact camera from Kyocera with Carl Zeiss lens.
- Twin-lens reflex camera
- 120
Yashica-635
The Yashica-635 is a two-lens reflex camera with the ability to expose 35mm film.
- Twin-lens reflex camera
- 120
Yashica-D
The Yashica-D is a Japanese medium format camera with two lenses.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit 11
A black SLR from the USSR for 35mm film.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit 12
The family of Zenit 12 cameras for 35mm film.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit 122
A 35mm SLR from Russia from the 90s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit 122k
The Zenit 122k is an SLR with a mount for Pentax lenses.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit 18
The successor of the Zenit 19 SLR camera.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit 19
An SLR from the production of KMZ.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit 3
A 35mm camera from KMZ from the late 1950's.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit 3M
A 1960s 35mm SLR from KMZ.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit APk
The Zenit APk is an SLR camera with Pentax K bayonet.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit Automat
An SLR from KMZ with Pentax K mount.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit B
An SLR camera for the M39 thread.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit DF-300
The Zenit DF-300 is a 35mm SLR manufactured in China.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit EM
The successor to the Zenit E.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit ET
An old 35mm SLR from the USSR with a M42 lens thread.
Zenit Junior
The Zenit Junior is an international version of the Zorki 10 by KMZ.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit TTL
A KMZ single-lens reflex camera made in millions.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Zenit-E
A 35mm camera that was produced over 3 million times.
Zorki 10
The Zorki 10 is a rangefinder camera and was the first fully automatic 35 mm camera from the Soviet Union.
Zorki 11
The Zorki 11 is a camera built by KMZ. It is similar to the Zorki 10 but lacks the coupled rangefinder.
Zorki 2
The successor to the Zorki 1 by KMZ.
Zorki 6
A KMZ 35mm camera with rangefinder from the late 1950s.
