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
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Fujica STX-1N
The Fujica STX-1N is the successor of the Fujica STX-1 and differs only in one small detail.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Fujifilm Cardia Super 28WP
The Fujifilm Cardia Super 28WP is a snapshot camera with a 28 mm lens.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Fujifilm Discovery S100
The Fujifilm Discovery S100 is a snapshot camera for the North American market.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Fujifilm DL-100
The Fujifilm DL-100 is a Fuji snapshot camera with a built-in flash and was also sold under the name Fujifilm Discovery S100.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Mini
Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S Mickey Mouse
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S Mickey Mouse is an instant camera edition for fans of the Disney mouse.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Mini
Fujifilm Instax Mini 70
An instant camera from Fujifilm introduced in 2015.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Mini
Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Chums
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Chums is a 2019 special edition in collaboration with the Chums brand.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Mini
Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Colette
A Special Edition of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 for the French boutique Colette.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Mini
Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Jean-Charles de Castelbajac
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Jean-Charles de Castelbajac instant camera is a limited edition created in collaboration with a fashion designer.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Mini
Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Michael Kors
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Michael Kors is a limited version of the Instax Mini 70 in collaboration with the well-known fashion brand.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Mini
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90
An instant camera with an elegant design and various functions from Fujifilm.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Mini
Fujifilm Instax Mini 99
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 is a modern instant camera with various creative possibilities.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Mini
Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is an instant camera with a digital sensor for the Instax Mini film format.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Square
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10 is a hybrid instant camera.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Square
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ20
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ20 is a blend of digital camera, printer and instant camera.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Square
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 is an instant camera for the Instax Square format.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Square
Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 Taylor Swift
The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6 Taylor Swift is a special edition of a Fuji instant camera.
- Instant camera
- Fuji Instax Wide
Fujifilm Instax Wide 400
The Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 is an instant camera from 2024.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Fujifilm Natura Black F1.9
The Fujifilm Natura Black F1.9 is an edition of Fuji's Natura S.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Fujifilm Natura S
A snapshot camera for the Japanese market with an aperture of f/1.9.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Fujifilm Silvi 70
The Fujifilm Silvi 70 is a camera for quick snapshots from 35mm film.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Fujifilm Zoom Date 70
The Fujifilm Zoom Date 70 is a camera for the 35mm format from the year 2001.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Fujifilm Zoom Date 77
The Fujifilm Zoom Date 77 is a 35mm entry-level camera from 2001.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
GAF L-CX
The GAF L-CX is a 35mm SLR camera for the M42 lens thread by a American brand.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Haking Mini AF
The Haking Mini AF is a modern entry-level automatic camera from Hong Kong-based Haking.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Haking Vision Mini Matic
The Haking Vision Mini Matic is a classic automatic camera that was widely used in the 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Halina Prestige 280AS
The Halina Prestige 280AS is a cheap compact camera with built-in flash and autofocus.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Halina Prestige 280S
The Halina Prestige 280S is a fully automatic fixed focus snapshot camera for the 35mm format.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Halina Tegra AF290
The Halina Tegra AF290 is a compact camera with built-in flash and panorama mode for the 35mm format.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Halina Vision AFS-Mini
The Halina Vision AFS-Mini is an automatic camera for the 35mm format with flash, autofocus and self-timer.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Halina Vision AFW-28
The Halina Vision AFW-28 is one of the top models in the Halina Vision series.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Halina Vision Mini-MZ
The Halina Vision Mini-MZ is a compact camera with a zoom lens with a flash.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Halina Vision XAS Mini T
The Halina Vision XAS Mini T is an automatic camera for 35mm format with autofocus, flash and self-timer.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Halina Vision XMS Mini T
The Halina Vision XMS Mini T is an automatic camera with a self-timer and a built-in flash.
- Rangefinder camera
- 35mm
Hanimex 35 Auto-EE CDS
The Hanimex 35 Auto-EE CDS is a rangefinder camera sold under the Hanimex brand.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 120
Hanimex Praktica 66
The Hanimex Praktica 66 is medium format camera with a East German origin. It was built by the VEB Pentacon Dresden in the GDR and sold on the Australian market.
- Viewfinder camera
- 35mm
IOR Orizont Amator D
The IOR Orizont Amator D is a simple camera from Romanian production with self-timer.
- Multi lens camera
- 35mm
Kalimar Action Shot 16
The Kalimar Action Shot 16 is a multi lens camera built by Fuji.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Kalimar SR200
The Kalimar SR200 is a Soviet-made 35mm SLR camera for the M42 thread.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Kalimar SR300
The Kalimar SR300 is a Soviet-made SLR camera for the 35mm format.
- Viewfinder camera
- 35mm
King Regula Picca CBS
The King Regula Picca CBS is a camera with self-timer and selenium exposure meter.
- Viewfinder camera
- 35mm
King Regula Picca CLK
The King Regula Picca CLK is a viewfinder camera from the 60s with a maximum shutter speed of 1/500 s.
- Viewfinder camera
- 35mm
King Regula Picca CS
The King Regula Picca CS is a 35mm camera of the company King from Bad Liebenzell (Germany) with self-timer.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Kmart Focal TLX
The Kmart Focal TLX is an SLR camera produced by Cosina and sold in the USA.
- Rangefinder camera
- 35mm
Kodak 35 RF
The Kodak 35 RF is a rangefinder camera from the 1940s from Eastman Kodak.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak Cameo 230 Zoom
The Kodak Cameo 230 Zoom is an everyday camera for amateur photographers from the 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak Cameo afm
The Kodak Cameo afm is a snapshot camera with built-in flash from the 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak Cameo Motor EX
The Kodak Cameo Motor EX is a snapshot camera from the 90s with a built-in flash.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak Cameo Sharp Focus
The Kodak Cameo Sharp Focus is a camera for everyday snapshots from the 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak Cameo Zoom
The Kodak Cameo Zoom is a snapshot camera from the 90s and was also sold as Kodak Cameo Zoom Plus.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE115 Zoom
The Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE115 Zoom is a basic consumer camera with zoom and built-in flash from 2002.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE30
The Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE30 is a basic 35mm camera with self-timer and built-in flash.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE40
The Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE40 is a 90s point-and-shoot-camera for 35mm film with built-in flash.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE50
The Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE50 is an automatic camera from Kodak for 35mm film.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE60
The Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE60 is a basic point-and-shoot-camera for daily life.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE85 Zoom
The Kodak EasyLoad 35 KE85 Zoom is a basic camera from Kodak for everyday life.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak KB 12 Plus
The Kodak KB 12 Plus is a point-and-shoot-camera from the early 2000s built in India.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak KB 30
The Kodak KB 30 is a basic 35mm camera for quick snapshots from the 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak KD45
The Kodak KD45 is a point-and-shoot camera with the possibility of exposing the exposure time in the pictures.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak KD65
The Kodak KD65 is a point-and-shoot-camera for 35mm film from the late 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak S1100 XL
The Kodak S1100 XL is a camera commissioned by the U.S. photo pioneer was built in Japan.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak Star 1035Z
The Kodak Star 1035Z is a point-and-shoot camera with zoom functions from the 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak Star 1075z
The Kodak Star 1075z is a compact camera with zoom functions for the 35mm format.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak Star Zoom 105
The Kodak Star Zoom 105 is a 90's zoom lens camera for quick snapshots.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak Star Zoom 70
The Kodak Star Zoom 70 is an automatic camera with a zoom lens and built-in flash from the 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak VR35 K12
The Kodak VR35 K12 is a flagship model of the VR35 series from the 80s by Eastman Kodak.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Kodak VR35 K14
The Kodak VR35 K14 is a flagship model of the Eastman Kodak VR35 series from the 1980s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Konica Acom-1
The Konica Acom-1 is an SLR camera for the Japanese market from the 1970s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica Ai Big Mini BM-411Z
Konica Ai Big Mini BM-411Z: A user-friendly 35mm film camera with zoom lens.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica AIBORG
The Konica AIBORG is a futuristic 35mm compact camera with a 35-105mm zoom lens.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Konica Auto-Reflex
The Konica Auto-Reflex was the first SLR from the Japanese company for the AR lens mount.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Konica Autoreflex TC
The Konica Autoreflex TC is a Japanese SLR camera from the 1970s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica Big Mini BM-201
The Konica Big Mini BM-201 is a slim camera for the 35mm format.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica BIG Mini BM-302
The Konica Big Mini BM-302 is a user-friendly 35mm film camera.
- Half-frame camera
- 35mm
Konica EYE 3
The Konica EYE 3 offers auto exposure and a self-timer in a compact half-frame design.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Konica FP
The Konica FP is a single lens reflex camera from the 60s and the first Konica SLR with a Copal shutter.
- Viewfinder camera
- 35mm
Konica Hexar
The Konica Hexar is a premium fixed-lens 35mm film camera from 1993.
- Rangefinder camera
- 35mm
Konica Hexar RF
The Konica Hexar RF is a versatile 35mm rangefinder with M-mount lens support.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica Lexio 115
The Konica Lexio 115 is a compact 35mm camera from Konica's later history.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica Minolta Zoom 150c
The Konica Minolta Zoom 150c is a camera from the Japanese brand Konica/Minolta for the 35mm format.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica Minolta Zoom 80c
The Konica Minolta Zoom 80c is a basic camera with zoom and automatic exposure for 35mm film.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica MR.640
The Konica MR.640 is a user-friendly dual-focal-length 35mm film camera from the 1980s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica MR.70
The Konica MR.70 is a fully automatic 35mm camera that allows both wide-angle and telephoto shots at the touch of a button.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica MR.70 LX
The Konica MR.70 LX is a compact 35mm film camera with a zoom lens, autofocus, and built-in flash.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica Z-up 110 VP
The Konica Z-up 110 VP is a classic compact camera for snapshots on vacation or at family celebrations.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica Z-up 120 VP
The Konica Z-up 120 VP is a snapshot camera from the 1990s for the 35mm format.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Konica Z-up 140 Super
The Konica Z-up 140 Super is a user-friendly compact camera for 35mm film with a zoom lens and automatic functions.