How to do self portrait with timer?

lightbulb · 03-08-2012, 05:48 AM

I just can't get it to focus when I set off the 2 sec timer and go to the front. I have tried afc and 11 point auto focus. Just can't get it to work. Any way out?

gp1806 · 03-08-2012, 06:00 AM

Use manual focus. The 12s timer might be better as well.

mrjamesabels · 03-08-2012, 06:03 AM

Get the Pentax brand wireless remote and have af on in remote trigger settings. Use 12 timer to give yourself time to hide the remote and dont move.

lightbulb · 03-08-2012, 06:09 AM

Thanks! Hmmm, a simple job that needs either manual or remote? Can there be a better way out?

stevedh · 03-08-2012, 08:49 AM

Live View + tv + timer?

Dirtistasty2 · 03-08-2012, 10:24 AM

prefocus on something the same distance?

Marc Sabatella · 03-08-2012, 01:13 PM

You don't say which camera, but some (most?) have an option somewhere to control whether focus happens immediately upon hitting the shutter button or at the end of the timer interval. Consult your mamual, looking over the the various Custom settings.

Oops, just noticed this is the K-5 forum, so I'll assume that's your camera. Looking at the manul online, I actually don't see any such function.

Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 03-08-2012 at 01:26 PM.

Tommot1965 · 03-08-2012, 02:00 PM

I was trying a SP at the weekend..its frustrating to say the least.. particularly under studio strobes where you chasing the perfect exposure!!.......I was lucky to have my sons at home...so I set up a bar stool and prefocused on one of my lads who sat on it to make sure the distance was always gonna be correct..then I switched to Manual focus and used the 12 sec timer....but it not a easy thing to do...and quite often the pose is crap...I have now got a new respect for people that have pulled a good SP out of the bag

rawr · 03-08-2012, 02:53 PM

Just manual focus and set aperture to give you enough depth of field latitude to ensure things will be in focus when you move around in front of the camera.

Or just get a $5 camera IR remote off eBay.

Usuqa · 03-08-2012, 03:00 PM

I normally just focus on a light stand then place myself were that is

,

pinholecam · 03-08-2012, 10:56 PM

Face detect 'ON' + AF when on IR remote 'ON' ?

lightbulb · 03-09-2012, 05:04 PM

I wonder other brand dslr camera is just as difficult if without remote?

Den · 03-09-2012, 06:04 PM

What could be easier than prefocus, shoot with 12 sec timer? That sure is plenty of time to strike a pose. Am I missing something here???

lightbulb · 03-09-2012, 06:10 PM

Yes, imagine a body of water in front of the camera (shoreline) and alone. How do you do pre focus?

Rupert · 03-09-2012, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by lightbulb

I have tried afc and 11 point auto focus. Just can't get it to work. Any way out?

Maybe it is best if it doesn't focus all that well......Here I used the 43 Ltd, obviously a little sharper than anticipated.....maybe a softer lens would have helped?
Regards!

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Just use the wireless Pentax remote, it works great for me....well, it worked.....great depends on what you get I guess?

03-08-2012, 05:48 AM	#1
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691	How to do self portrait with timer? I just can't get it to focus when I set off the 2 sec timer and go to the front. I have tried afc and 11 point auto focus. Just can't get it to work. Any way out?

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03-08-2012, 06:00 AM	#2
gp1806 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Photos: Albums Posts: 848	Use manual focus. The 12s timer might be better as well.

03-08-2012, 06:03 AM	#3
mrjamesabels Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NEW JERSEY USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 198	Get the Pentax brand wireless remote and have af on in remote trigger settings. Use 12 timer to give yourself time to hide the remote and dont move.

03-08-2012, 06:09 AM	#4
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691 Original Poster	Thanks! Hmmm, a simple job that needs either manual or remote? Can there be a better way out?

03-08-2012, 08:49 AM	#5
stevedh Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 30	Live View + tv + timer?

03-08-2012, 10:24 AM	#6
Dirtistasty2 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 325	prefocus on something the same distance?

03-08-2012, 01:13 PM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	You don't say which camera, but some (most?) have an option somewhere to control whether focus happens immediately upon hitting the shutter button or at the end of the timer interval. Consult your mamual, looking over the the various Custom settings. Oops, just noticed this is the K-5 forum, so I'll assume that's your camera. Looking at the manul online, I actually don't see any such function. Last edited by Marc Sabatella; 03-08-2012 at 01:26 PM.

03-08-2012, 02:00 PM	#8
Tommot1965 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Perth Western Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,026	I was trying a SP at the weekend..its frustrating to say the least.. particularly under studio strobes where you chasing the perfect exposure!!.......I was lucky to have my sons at home...so I set up a bar stool and prefocused on one of my lads who sat on it to make sure the distance was always gonna be correct..then I switched to Manual focus and used the 12 sec timer....but it not a easy thing to do...and quite often the pose is crap...I have now got a new respect for people that have pulled a good SP out of the bag

03-08-2012, 02:53 PM	#9
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Just manual focus and set aperture to give you enough depth of field latitude to ensure things will be in focus when you move around in front of the camera. Or just get a $5 camera IR remote off eBay.

03-08-2012, 03:00 PM	#10
Usuqa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scotland Photos: Gallery Posts: 348	I normally just focus on a light stand then place myself were that is ,

03-08-2012, 10:56 PM	#11
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Face detect 'ON' + AF when on IR remote 'ON' ?

03-09-2012, 05:04 PM	#12
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691 Original Poster	I wonder other brand dslr camera is just as difficult if without remote?

03-09-2012, 06:04 PM	#13
Den Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington (State) Posts: 929	What could be easier than prefocus, shoot with 12 sec timer? That sure is plenty of time to strike a pose. Am I missing something here???

03-09-2012, 06:10 PM	#14
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691 Original Poster	Yes, imagine a body of water in front of the camera (shoreline) and alone. How do you do pre focus?

03-09-2012, 06:33 PM	#15
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	Originally posted by lightbulb I have tried afc and 11 point auto focus. Just can't get it to work. Any way out? Maybe it is best if it doesn't focus all that well......Here I used the 43 Ltd, obviously a little sharper than anticipated.....maybe a softer lens would have helped? Regards! [IMG] [/IMG] Just use the wireless Pentax remote, it works great for me....well, it worked.....great depends on what you get I guess?