Some self timer questions (D70s)

Stratman

Stratman

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I needed some pictures of me, so I thought 'no problem'. I hung a backdrop and put a chair well in front of it, framed the shot so my lovely face would be centred in the shot, selected self timer and pressed the button. The backdrop was nicely in focus while I was as fuzzy as I felt.

How do I make the camera focus as it's about to take the timed shot, rather than when I press the shutter?

And how do I set the camera to stay in self timer mode after the shot? It kept reverting to single shot after each picture.
 
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The easiest way to achieve what you're trying to do is to focus on the back of the chair and then switch the lens or body into manual focus mode. Reframe so that you will be in the shot and press the shutter release, as before. You may need to play around with the aperture to get a nice crisp shot.

Should work :)
 
Thanks for the replies.

I ended up using my Tamron 90mm macro lens on manual focus as a workaround, the 18-55 is auto focus only. I'm stunned that Nikon didn't think it through properly, focussing when the countdown is started rather than when the picture is about to be taken. What do they think the self timer is for? Still, it would appear that's the way it is so I'd better learn to live with it.

Thanks again for the help.
 
Stratman said:
Thanks for the replies.

I ended up using my Tamron 90mm macro lens on manual focus as a workaround, the 18-55 is auto focus only. I'm stunned that Nikon didn't think it through properly, focussing when the countdown is started rather than when the picture is about to be taken. What do they think the self timer is for? Still, it would appear that's the way it is so I'd better learn to live with it.

Thanks again for the help.
Click to expand...

Surely the 18-35 afs? Has a manual switch on it or you could use the af/m switch on the bodies front lhs? For older lenses.
 
Indeed it does but it didn't occur to me to switch it to manual at the time, hence the Tamron with a nice big focus ring :)

A case of not seeing the wood for the trees.
 
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