I want to be in focus using the Self Timer

OhSnap · 07-24-2010, 12:17 PM

Hi, I have a bit of an issue that I'm hoping someone could help me with.

When I use the self timer on my k-x I'm almost always out of focus. I have tried all the little tricks I could think of but when I scramble back to be in the shot, alas everything else around me is in focus and I am not.

I also tried using my old wireless remote but that doesn't focus before taking the shot either. I have the switch set to AF on the body by the lens. Any assistance would be appreciated. I will try anything.

Jenn

ChooseAName · 07-24-2010, 12:29 PM

If your camera is trying to do lower shutter speeds, the "out of focus"-ness could actually be due to subject movement.

If you are certain it's not movement on your part, try increasing your depth of field (by setting your aperture to higher number values). That way, more of the picture will be in focus.

I believe shake reduction is automatically disabled when using a timer, so that shouldn't be an issue. (you should always turn shake reduction off when using a tripod, or else the camera will try to compensate for shaking that isn't there, for some reason)

OhSnap · 07-24-2010, 12:38 PM

Ooo I never thought about incresing the field depth. I will give that a try. I know it's not movement because I freeze until I hear it snap.

Thanks for the tips. I will definitely give those a try!!!

kalison · 07-24-2010, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by OhSnap

Ooo I never thought about incresing the field depth. I will give that a try. I know it's not movement because I freeze until I hear it snap.

Thanks for the tips. I will definitely give those a try!!!

Are you using a wireless remote or the wired one?

I am not sure for the Kx but my K7 has an option to auto focus and then snap.

Plus yes, increasing the depth will help you out as well.

Marc Sabatella · 07-24-2010, 09:20 PM

Isn't there a menu option somewhere on your camera to control when AF happens when using the timer - either when you press the shutter or when the picture is taken? Most other models have such an option. I'm betting the problem is that you have it set to AF immediately.

Rufus T. Firefly · 07-25-2010, 08:46 AM

The menu option for AF is for remote control use, not self-timer by itself. The K-x manual pages 131 - 135 show this. When using the self-timer you have to press halway for focus then completely press the shutter release before the timer kicks in.

MPrince · 07-25-2010, 11:08 AM

If you're using a tripod, take the camera off the tripod, and stand or sit where you will be. Focus on the tripod, then put the camera in manual focus mode. Put the camera back on the tripod, set the self-timer, go to your mark, and you should be in focus. If not using a tripod, place an object where the camera will be placed and focus on that. You may still need to do a little fine tuning, but this should make it easier.

**Kerrowdown** · 07-25-2010, 03:08 PM

You could try manual focus as an quick and easy option.

GerryL · 07-25-2010, 07:26 PM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

You could try manual focus as an quick and easy option.

This is actually the best option I can agree with coupled with a deeper DOF.
Maybe while you run the AF is also trying to catch up with you or has locked focus somewhere else.
Manually focusing where you want the focus to be and where you would want to rush to in place would guarantee that you are in focus!

Marc Sabatella · 07-26-2010, 03:23 PM

Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly

The menu option for AF is for remote control use, not self-timer by itself.

My mistake! In that case, I guess just be careful with where you focus and be sure to stand in that same spot.

reeftool · 07-28-2010, 09:51 AM

Just to add to what's been covered, use an aperture that will give you a lot of depth of field, like f/11.

Reportage · 07-28-2010, 10:51 AM

otherwise...3rd party wireless remote trigger.

Ira · 07-29-2010, 12:57 PM

You have to use manual focus in this situation. Want me to lend you my dummy to lock your focus on?

Ironically, I'm going to have to do the same thing in a week or two for my website when I get my new body (camera body, not MY body), taking a picture of myself.

My wife tried shooting me yesterday with her point and shoot and the results were beyond horrible.

I plan to place my dummy on a stool on my patio, chalk out footprints in the right spot, set my manual focus, remove dummy and stool, shoot with self-timer and apertures of 5.6, 8 and 11, and run back to my footprints. (I'll later clip myself out of the background/wall in PS.)

I'll also try to teach my wife a little about my camera, focus confirmation at the least, and have her knock off some additional shots.

Marc Sabatella · 07-29-2010, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by Reportage

otherwise...3rd party wireless remote trigger.

The Pentax version works fine, too.

07-24-2010, 12:17 PM	#1
OhSnap Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 6	I want to be in focus using the Self Timer Hi, I have a bit of an issue that I'm hoping someone could help me with. When I use the self timer on my k-x I'm almost always out of focus. I have tried all the little tricks I could think of but when I scramble back to be in the shot, alas everything else around me is in focus and I am not. I also tried using my old wireless remote but that doesn't focus before taking the shot either. I have the switch set to AF on the body by the lens. Any assistance would be appreciated. I will try anything. Jenn

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07-24-2010, 12:29 PM	#2
ChooseAName Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southeast USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 390	If your camera is trying to do lower shutter speeds, the "out of focus"-ness could actually be due to subject movement. If you are certain it's not movement on your part, try increasing your depth of field (by setting your aperture to higher number values). That way, more of the picture will be in focus. I believe shake reduction is automatically disabled when using a timer, so that shouldn't be an issue. (you should always turn shake reduction off when using a tripod, or else the camera will try to compensate for shaking that isn't there, for some reason)

07-24-2010, 12:38 PM	#3
OhSnap Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 6 Original Poster	Ooo I never thought about incresing the field depth. I will give that a try. I know it's not movement because I freeze until I hear it snap. Thanks for the tips. I will definitely give those a try!!!

07-24-2010, 04:17 PM	#4
kalison Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Utah Posts: 376	Originally posted by OhSnap Ooo I never thought about incresing the field depth. I will give that a try. I know it's not movement because I freeze until I hear it snap. Thanks for the tips. I will definitely give those a try!!! Are you using a wireless remote or the wired one? I am not sure for the Kx but my K7 has an option to auto focus and then snap. Plus yes, increasing the depth will help you out as well.

07-24-2010, 09:20 PM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Isn't there a menu option somewhere on your camera to control when AF happens when using the timer - either when you press the shutter or when the picture is taken? Most other models have such an option. I'm betting the problem is that you have it set to AF immediately.

07-25-2010, 08:46 AM	#6
Rufus T. Firefly Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Marshfield MA. Posts: 35	The menu option for AF is for remote control use, not self-timer by itself. The K-x manual pages 131 - 135 show this. When using the self-timer you have to press halway for focus then completely press the shutter release before the timer kicks in.

07-25-2010, 11:08 AM	#7
MPrince Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,495	If you're using a tripod, take the camera off the tripod, and stand or sit where you will be. Focus on the tripod, then put the camera in manual focus mode. Put the camera back on the tripod, set the self-timer, go to your mark, and you should be in focus. If not using a tripod, place an object where the camera will be placed and focus on that. You may still need to do a little fine tuning, but this should make it easier.

07-25-2010, 03:08 PM	#8
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,833	You could try manual focus as an quick and easy option.

07-25-2010, 07:26 PM	#9
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by kerrowdown You could try manual focus as an quick and easy option. This is actually the best option I can agree with coupled with a deeper DOF. Maybe while you run the AF is also trying to catch up with you or has locked focus somewhere else. Manually focusing where you want the focus to be and where you would want to rush to in place would guarantee that you are in focus!

07-26-2010, 03:23 PM	#10
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly The menu option for AF is for remote control use, not self-timer by itself. My mistake! In that case, I guess just be careful with where you focus and be sure to stand in that same spot.

07-28-2010, 09:51 AM	#11
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	Just to add to what's been covered, use an aperture that will give you a lot of depth of field, like f/11.

07-28-2010, 10:51 AM	#12
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	otherwise...3rd party wireless remote trigger.

07-29-2010, 12:57 PM	#13
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	You have to use manual focus in this situation. Want me to lend you my dummy to lock your focus on? Ironically, I'm going to have to do the same thing in a week or two for my website when I get my new body (camera body, not MY body), taking a picture of myself. My wife tried shooting me yesterday with her point and shoot and the results were beyond horrible. I plan to place my dummy on a stool on my patio, chalk out footprints in the right spot, set my manual focus, remove dummy and stool, shoot with self-timer and apertures of 5.6, 8 and 11, and run back to my footprints. (I'll later clip myself out of the background/wall in PS.) I'll also try to teach my wife a little about my camera, focus confirmation at the least, and have her knock off some additional shots.

07-29-2010, 03:05 PM	#14
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by Reportage otherwise...3rd party wireless remote trigger. The Pentax version works fine, too.