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
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Pentax Zoom 90
The Pentax Zoom 90 is a 35mm camera for quick snapshots with a multiple exposure function.
- Viewfinder camera
- 35mm
Petri 35 AF-F
The Petri 35 AF-F is a Japanese 35mm camera with autofocus and flash from the 1970s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri FT 1000
The Petri FT 1000 is a camera from Petri. It is a single-lens reflex camera.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri GX-1
The Petri GX-1 is a single lens reflex camera built by Cosina.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri GX-1 Super
The Petri GX-1 Super is a single lens reflex camera. The 35mm camera was produced by Petri.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri GX-3
The Petri GX-3 is a simple SLR camera from Japan that is ideal for beginners.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri GX-4
The Petri GX-4 is a single lens reflex camera. The 35mm camera was produced by Cosina.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri GX-5
The Petri GX-5 is a single lens reflex camera. It was developed by Cosina and presented in the 80s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri MF-101
The Petri MF-101 is a single lens reflex camera with Pentax K bayonet.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri MF-101A
The Petri MF-101A is a single lens reflex camera made by Cosina.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri MF-104
The Petri MF-104 is an SLR camera, built by Cosina and designed for the 35mm format.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri MF-2
The Petri MF-2 is a classic SLR camera from Japan for the 35mm format.
- Viewfinder camera
- 35mm
Petri Racer
The Petri Racer is a 35mm camera from the 1960s by the Japanese manufacturer.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Petri V6II
The Petri V6II is a Japanese-made SLR camera for shooting on 35mm film.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Phenix DC303N
The Phenix DC303N is a SLR camera from the early 2000s and made in China.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Phoenix P2
The Phoenix P2 is a single lens reflex camera built by Cosina, Japan.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Phokina RX2
The Phokina RX2 is a 35mm format SLR camera built by KMZ in the Soviet Union.
- Snapshot camera
- 35mm
Polaroid 3000 AF
The Polaroid 3000 AF is a cheap compact camera for the 35mm format.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid Caperino & Peperone
The Polaroid Caperino & Peperone is a variant of the Polaroid One600 Pro in collaboration with Colette.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Flip
The Polaroid Flip is a modern instant camera with a folding design, sonar autofocus, and a 4-lens system that shoots on Polaroid i-Type and 600 film.
- Instant camera
- Polaroid Go
Polaroid Go
The Polaroid Go is a compact instant camera presented in the year 2021.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid I-2
The Polaroid I-2 is a modern instant camera with an extensive feature set.
- Instant camera
- Image/Spectra
Polaroid Image Elite Pro
An instant camera for professionals from Polaroid.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid Nero
The Polaroid Nero is a black color instant camera for the 600 instant format.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now
The Polaroid Now is a modern camera for instant film that was introduced by the Polaroid successor.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now Gen 2
The Polaroid Now Gen 2 is a modern instant camera with built-in flash from 2023.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now Gen 2 Basquiat Edition
The Polaroid Now Gen 2 Basquiat Edition is a limited edition instant camera edition released in 2024.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now Gen 2 Eames Edition
The Polaroid Now Gen 2 Eames Edition is an instant camera edition from 2024.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now Gen 3
The Polaroid Now Gen 3 is the third iteration of the modern Now instant camera from Polaroid.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now Gen 3 MoMA Edition
The Polaroid Now Gen 3 MoMA Edition is an instant camera from Polaroid from 2025.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now Keith Haring Edition
The Polaroid Now is a modern camera for instant photography in a limited edition.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now Star Wars: The Mandalorian
The Polaroid Now Star Wars: The Mandalorian is a limited instant camera for Polaroid films in the design of the cult film series.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now+
The Polaroid Now+ is an instant camera with modern features.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now+ Gen 2
The Polaroid Now+ Gen 2 is an instant camera with a possibility to connect a smartphone app.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Now+ Gen 3
The Polaroid Now+ Gen 3 is the third generation of the Now+ instant camera.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid One
The Polaroid One is an instant camera from 2003 and part of the last generation of the 600 series.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid One Flower
The Polaroid One Flower is an instant camera edition with flower pattern.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid One600 JobPro
The Polaroid One600 JobPro is an instant camera from the 00s for the 600 format.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid One600 Pro
The Polaroid One600 Pro is an instant camera with self-timer, built-in flash and fixed lens for Polaroid's 600 format.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid One600 Ultra
The Polaroid One600 Ultra is an instant camera from the 00s with a self-timer and built-in flash for the 600 format.
- Instant camera
- Image/Spectra
Polaroid Onyx
The Polaroid Onyx is a limited edition version of the Polaroid Spectra.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Originals OneStep 2
The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 is an instant camera for the i-Type format.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Coral
The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Coral is an edition of the Polaroid Originals instant camera.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Mint
The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Mint is a mint coloured edition of the OneStep 2.
- Instant camera
- 35mm
Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Red
The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Red is a special edition instant camera.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Stranger Things
The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Stranger Things is a special edition of the us series.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Summer Blue
The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 Summer Blue is a summer edition of the OneStep 2.
- Instant camera
- i-Type, Typ 600
Polaroid Originals OneStep+
The Polaroid Originals OneStep+ is a modern instant camera with Bluetooth.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid Panna
The Polaroid Panna is a white color instant camera edition for the 600 format.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid Poison Frog
The Polaroid Poison Frog is an instant camera from the 2000s for the 600 frame format.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid Pro Redhat
The Polaroid Pro Redhat is an instant camera edition for the Superheadz brand.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid Pro Röyksopp
The Polaroid Pro Röyksopp is an instant camera edition for a Norwegian music group.
- Instant camera
- Image/Spectra
Polaroid Spectra
The first instant camera for the "Spectra" format from Polaroid.
- Instant camera
- Image/Spectra
Polaroid Spectra 1200si
An instant camera for the Spectra/Image/1200 film format.
- Instant camera
- Typ 600
Polaroid Ultra Popkit
The Polaroid Ultra Popkit is an instant camera edition with included stickers for decorating the camera.
- Rangefinder camera
- 35mm
Porst 135 C
The Porst 135 C is a 35mm camera with rangefinder and was built in Japan for the German company.
- Rangefinder camera
- 35mm
Porst 135 E
The Porst 135 E electronicblitz is a 35mm camera and was built by Cosina.
- Rangefinder camera
- 35mm
Porst 135 L
The Porst 135 L is a rangefinder camera from the German camera seller.
- Rangefinder camera
- 35mm
Porst 135 S
A 35mm camera with rangefinder; sold by Photo Porst and built by Cosina in Japan.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Compact Reflex AM
The Porst Compact Reflex AM is a single lens reflex camera.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Compact Reflex OC
The Porst Compact Reflex OC is a 35mm camera with a Pentax K bayonet built by Cosina for the German photo dealer.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Compact Reflex OS
The Porst Compact Reflex OS is by Cosina built 35mm camera with interchangeable lenses.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Compact Reflex OV
The Porst Compact Reflex OV is a 35mm camera from Photo Porst with Pentax K bayonet.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Compact Reflex S
The Porst Compact Reflex S is a single lens reflex camera with M42 lens thread.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Compact Reflex SP
The Porst Compact Reflex SP is a single lens reflex camera and was sold by the German photo dealer.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst compact-reflex
The Porst compact-reflex is a M42 35mm camera built by Cosina for the German photo dealer.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst CR-3
The Porst CR-3 is a single lens reflex camera with Fujinon X mount.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst CR-5
The Porst CR-5 is a single lens reflex camera with manual and aperture priority mode.
- Rangefinder camera
- 35mm
Porst EL 300
The Porst EL 300 is a rangefinder camera from the late 60s, built by Dacora.
- Rangefinder camera
- 35mm
Porst EL 500
The Porst EL 500 is a compact camera from Photo Porst with a central shutter.
- Viewfinder camera
- 35mm
Porst KB 200
The Porst KB 200 is a viewfinder camera and was built probably by a German company.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Reflex C-EE
The Porst Reflex C-EE is a 35mm camera with M42 thread.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Reflex C-TL
The Porst Reflex C-TL is a SLR camera for 35 mm film. It was sold under the own brand of Photo Porst and built as "Cosina Hi-Lite HDL" by Cosina.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Reflex C-TL super
The Porst Reflex C-TL super is a single lens reflex camera built by Cosina for the German camera dealer.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst reflex CX4
The Porst reflex CX4 is a camera based on a camera from Eastern Germany.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Reflex M-CE
The Porst Reflex M-CE is a single lens reflex camera from the 70s. The cameras was produced by Chinon for the German photo dealer Photo Porst.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Reflex S
The Porst Reflex S is a single lens reflex camera and was sold in West Germany
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Reflex TL
The Porst Reflex TL is a single lens reflex camera for 35mm film with M42 lens thread.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Superflex 1000 C
The Porst Superflex 1000 C is a single lens reflex camera and was introduced by Photo Porst in the 60s.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Uniflex 1000S
The Porst Uniflex 1000S is a single lens reflex camera for M42 lenses.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Porst Uniflex Reflex TTL
The Porst Uniflex Reflex TTL is a SLR camera from Photo Porst and was built by Cosina.
- Viewfinder camera
- 35mm
Porst V2001
The Porst V2001 is a 35mm camera with zoom lens sold by Photo Porst in Germany.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Praktica Autoreflex S-TL
The Praktica Autoreflex S-TL is a SLR camera and was also sold under an other name.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Praktica B 100
The Praktica B 100 is a single lens reflex camera produced in the 1980s by the VEB Pentacon Dresden in East Germany.
- Single lens reflex camera
- 35mm
Praktica BCA
The Praktica BCA is a single lens reflex camera by Pentacon.
