Self-timer question: Canon 550D

JaneH

JaneH

Messages
57
Name
Jane
Edit My Images
No
I have a Canon 550D and want to use the self-timer. When I go into the setting for it, however, I can only see that it's set to go off in TWO seconds. I need longer time setting but can't find any way to do it. Can anyone tell me, please, if this is possible?

Thanks for any help.
 
Rebel t3i said:
I thought it was only men that didn't read the user manual
Click to expand...

Actually Mr/Mrs Helpful, I *have* read the manual. It's on page 71 that the self-timer is discussed. The choices are 10-seconds (although it's misleading as on the camera menu it looks at first glance as if this setting is for when you use a remote control), 2-seconds, and 10-sec continuous shots. My question was whether this could be changed. I find even 10-sec to be a bit hasty for a self-portrait.

Note: The only reason I'm doing the SP is for a class, otherwise I stay well out of the FRONT of a camera!

Now if anyone has a REAL answer to my question, please let me know.
 
I only have the 400d and the 600d not a 550d so don't know
on the 600d I press the timer button scroll across to the c option then use the up down arrows to alter the timer then press set
I can only assume your 550d would be very similar
and being male I haven't read the user manual at all lol
i think the sense of humour default settings are on p72 please set yours to on roflol
 
Last edited:
It's the other self timing icon, it'll give you 10 seconds to get in position :)
 
When you choose the 10second option, press the down button under the set button to change the timer.
 
scottishguy said:
When you choose the 10second option, press the down button under the set button to change the timer.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but it didn't do anything. Oh well, guess I just need to get better at the 10-second dash or buy a remote timer.

Sense of humour is intact, I think. Just annoyed at the camera, not at postings. :lol:
 
JaneH said:
Thanks, but it didn't do anything. Oh well, guess I just need to get better at the 10-second dash or buy a remote timer.

Sense of humour is intact, I think. Just annoyed at the camera, not at postings. :lol:
Click to expand...

10 seconds is an awful long time in reality. It used to be even longer when you had your SLR whirring away as the clockwork mechanism ran. And it was positively forever when you were getting beep...beep....beep...bip.bip.bip.bip..

But alternatively, any cheap remote shutter will trigger the countdown when in self-timer mode, so you can get into position, hit the remote, and have 2 seconds to put your hands back in a normal pose :) Amazon has a 100m wireless BV & Jo trigger, that would do the job, for £13.

Actually, for self-poses, a line-of-sight IR remote will do the job too, amazon have one of those for £2.50 that'll allegedly work with a 550d.


(I'll leave you to find the items yourself on amazon, just search for 'wireless shutter 550d' and you'll find them - this way it doesn't look like a dodgy referral link thingy)

I wouldn't spend anything on a more advanced remote shutter that had it's own timing stuff, unless you have a compelling need for that.
 
JaneH said:
Thanks, but it didn't do anything. Oh well, guess I just need to get better at the 10-second dash or buy a remote timer.

Sense of humour is intact, I think. Just annoyed at the camera, not at postings. :lol:
Click to expand...

Try just highlighting the "C" then press down to change the number.then hit set. That's how it works ok mine.
 
Just ordered a remote from Amazon, so that should do the trick. Thanks everyone for the help. I got the kind that will also allow me to start/stop a video recording, too. Aha! A new gadget to play with!

As for pressing down (Rebel t3i and Scottishguy), I do understand what you're saying, as it looks pretty straight forward, but it isn't working on my 550D. At least not with THIS operator.....
 
just tried it on my 600d and can't change from 10 secs either
seems c is continuous shots
now you have made me get my instruction manual out
you don't realise how annoying this is for a man roflol
Ignore my other posts as it seems not to be correct
will be back after I have read the manual from cover to cover at least 5 times with some definitive answer
surely some expert on here knows
 
NikkiA said:
10 seconds is an awful long time in reality.
Click to expand...

We are talking a woman here, Lippy and hairdoo have to be taken into consideration for the final pose :D
 
not page 71 on the 600d lol
doesn't appear that the 10 second timer can be changed
c is for the number of continuous shots to be taken after the 10 sec timer
looks like the remote is the only way to alter it and from what I have worked out that is either immediately or with a 2 sec delay
personally I'd just set the timer and walk more slowly to the shoot zone and slap some more make up on whilst I am waiting or do a spot of hoovering on route lol
 
Last edited:
As stated 10 seconds continuous shooting is only 10 seconds, buy a remote, they are pretty cheap on ebay.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top