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
Minolta X-500
The Minolta X-500 is a 35mm format camera from Minolta with interchangeable lenses.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta X-570
The Minolta X-570 is a manual SLR camera from the 1980s by Minolta.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta X-600
The Minolta X-600 is a 1980s SLR camera with manual focus for the Japanese market.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta X-7
The Minolta X-7 is an SLR camera from the 1980s with aperture priority.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta X-70
The Minolta X-70 is an SLR camera for Japanese photographers from the 1980s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta X-700
The Minolta X-700 is a popular 1980s SLR camera from the Japanese manufacturer for the 35mm format.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta X-7A
The Minolta X-7A is a 1980s manual SLR camera for the North American market in black.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta X-9
The Minolta X-9 is a manual focus SLR camera from the 1990s for the American market.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XD
The Minolta XD was the Japanese manufacturer's first SLR camera with aperture and shutter priority.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XD-11
The Minolta XD-11 is an SLR camera from the 1970s with aperture and shutter priority for the American market.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XD5
The Minolta XD5 is a budget version of the Minolta XD SLR camera from the 1970s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XD7
The Minolta XD7 was the first Minolta SLR camera with aperture and shutter priority for the European market.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XE
The Minolta XE is an SLR camera with interchangeable lenses for the 35mm format from the 1970s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XE-1
The Minolta XE-1 is a 35mm camera from Minolta with interchangeable lenses.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XE-5
The Minolta XE-5 is an SLR camera from the 1970s with automatic exposure.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XE-7
The Minolta XE-7 is a 1970s Japanese camera for photographers in North America.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XEb
The Minolta XEb is a 35mm camera for Minolta's Japanese home market from the 1970s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG 1
The Minolta XG 1 is a 1970s camera from the Japanese manufacturer for export.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG 2
The Minolta XG 2 is the first model in the XG series and was sold in Europe and other markets.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG 7
The Minolta XG 7 is a 1970s SLR camera for the North American market.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG 9
The Minolta XG 9 is a 35mm camera with interchangeable lenses from the Japanese manufacturer Minolta.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG-1N
The Minolta XG-1N is a 1980s SLR camera from the Japanese manufacturer.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG-A
The Minolta XG-A is an SLR camera from the 1980s and the last model in the Japanese manufacturer's XG series.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG-E
The Minolta XG-E is the first model in the XG series and was sold in Japan.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG-M
The Minolta XG-M is a 35mm camera with interchangeable lenses from the early 80s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG-S
The Minolta XG-S is a single lens reflex camera for the 35mm format with interchangeable lenses.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XG-SE
The Minolta XG-SE is an SLR camera from the late 1970s for export.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XK
The Minolta XK was the Japanese manufacturer's first SLR camera with an electronic shutter for the American market.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Minolta XM
The Minolta XM was Minolta's first SLR camera with an electronic shutter for the European market.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Minolta Zoom 110
The Minolta Zoom 110 is a 35mm camera with zoom from Chinese production in 2002.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Minolta Zoom 130C
The Minolta Zoom 130C is a zoom camera from 2003 with a built-in flash for the 35mm format.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Minolta Zoom 160c
The Minolta Zoom 160c is a 35mm camera with zoom and built-in flash.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Minolta Zoom 60
The Minolta Zoom 60 is a 35mm camera with zoom that was also sold under the Konica/Minolta brand.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Minolta Zoom 60 Date
The Minolta Zoom 60 Date is a camera with a date back for the 35mm format.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Minolta Zoom 70
The Minolta Zoom 70 is a 35mm camera with zoom and built-in flash.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Minolta Zoom 80
The Minolta Zoom 80 is a camera from Minolta with a zoom lens and built-in flash.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Miranda DX-3
The Miranda DX-3 is one of the last SLR 35mm cameras of the Miranda brand.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Miranda MS-1 Super
The Miranda MS-1 Super is a single reflex camera built by Cosina.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikkormat EL
The Nikkormat EL is one of the first SLR cameras with electronics from Nikon.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikkormat ELW
The Nikkormat ELW is a black version of the Nikkormat EL single lens reflex camera.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikkormat FS
The Nikkormat FS is a single lens reflex camera without a light meter from the 60s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikkormat FT
The Nikkormat FT is a single lens reflex camera for the Nikon F lens mount from the 60s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikkormat FT2
The Nikkormat FT2 is a single lens reflex camera from the 1970s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikkormat FT3
The Nikkormat FT3 is a single lens reflex camera from the late 70s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikkormat FTN
The Nikkormat FTN is a single lens reflex camera from the 60s for 35mm film.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Nikon 35Ti
The Nikon 35Ti is a high-end 35mm compact camera with fixed lens from the 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Nikon AF230
The Nikon AF230 is a snapshot camera from the 90s with 29 mm lens and was also sold as Nikon Fun Touch 5.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Nikon AF3
The Nikon AF3 is a 35mm camera. It is part of the group of snapshot cameras.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Nikon AF400
The Nikon AF400 / Nikon One Touch 30 is a camera with fixed lens from the 90s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Nikon AF600
The Nikon AF600 is a very compact camera with a 28 mm lens. It was also marketed as Nikon Lite Touch.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Nikon AW35
The Nikon AW35 is a splash-proof compact camera. The camera dates back to the 90s and was also sold as Nikon Sport Touch.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Nikon BF100
The Nikon BF100 is a point and shoot 35mm camera with fixed lens from the 1990s.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Nikon EF300
The Nikon EF300 is a 35mm camera with a fixed focus lens from the 90s and was also sold under the model name "Nikon Nice Touch 4".
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F
The Nikon F is a single lens reflex camera. It is the first model of the F series of the Japanese company.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F Photomic
The Nikon F Photomic is a single lens reflex camera from the 1960s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F Photomic FTn
The Nikon F Photomic FTn is a single lens reflex camera from the 1960s and is based on the Nikon F.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F Photomic T
The Nikon F Photomic T is a single lens reflex camera with a light meter in the viewfinder.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F Photomic Tn
The Nikon F Photomic Tn is a single lens reflex camera from the 1960s with light meter.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F-301
The Nikon F-301 is an SLR with automatic film transport from the 80s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F-401
The Nikon F-401 is a single lens reflex camera with autofocus from the 80s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F-401S
The Nikon F-401S is a SLR camera with revised autofocus from 1989.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F-401X
The Nikon F-401X is a 35mm SLR camera with autofocus and automatic film transport.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F-601
The Nikon F-601 is an autofocus Nikon F camera for 35mm film.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F-601 Quartz Date
The Nikon F-601 Quartz Date is a 35mm SLR camera with a data back.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F-601M
The Nikon F-601M is a single lens reflex camera without an autofocus.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F-801
The Nikon F-801 is a single lens reflex camera with autofocus from the 1980s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F-801S
The Nikon F-801S is an SLR with Nikon F connector from the early 90s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F100
The Nikon F100 is one of the top models of the Nikon F film series.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F2 Photomic
The Nikon F2 Photomic is a professional single lens reflex camera from the 70s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F2 Photomic A
The Nikon F2 Photomic A is a pro single lens reflex camera for 35mm film.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F2 Photomic AS
The Nikon F2 Photomic AS is a SLR for professional photographers from the 70s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F2 Photomic S
The Nikon F2 Photomic S is a single lens reflex camera for professional users from the 70s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F2 Photomic SB
The Nikon F2 Photomic SB is a professional reflex camera for the Nikon F bayonet.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F3
The Nikon F3 is a top model of the Nikon F series and was sold from the 1980s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F3 AF
The Nikon F3 AF is a variant of the Nikon F3 with autofocus viewfinder.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F3 HP
The Nikon F3 HP is part of the professional F series and comes with a special viewfinder.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F3 P
The Nikon F3 P is a Nikon SLR camera specially developed for press photographers.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F4
The Nikon F4 is a professional SLR from Nikon from the late 80s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F4E
The Nikon F4E is a 35mm camera from Nikon and was produced in the 1990s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F4S
The Nikon F4S is the most popular version of the Nikon F4 series.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F5
The Nikon F5 was introduced in the mid-90s as the new flagship of the film camera line.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F50
The Nikon F50 is a single lens reflex camera for beginners from the early 90s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F55
The Nikon F55 is a single lens reflex camera from the early 2000s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F60
The Nikon F60 is an entry level camera from Nikon for the F bayonet.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F75
The Nikon F75 is a single lens reflex camera. It was manufactured between 2003 and 2006 by Nikon.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F80
The Nikon F80 is an entry-level-camera from Nikon for the Nikon F mount.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon F90X
The Nikon F90X is a single lens reflex camera from the 1990s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon FA
The Nikon FA is an SLR from the 80s with four exposure programs.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon FE
The Nikon FE is a 35mm camera for the Nikon F bayonet from the late 70s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon FE10
The Nikon FE10 is a manual 35mm camera and was built by Cosina for Nikon.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Nikon FE2
The Nikon FE2 is a single lens reflex camera and was produced in the 1980s.