The coolest vintage accessory: Mechanical timer

pendennis · 10-23-2019, 06:47 AM

I have a couple of them. They stay in my large format bag, along with changing bags, cable releases, focusing cloths, etc.

**Kerrowdown** · 10-23-2019, 07:46 AM

Aye but I don't remember them being as noisy as that, perhaps this one's needing some lube...

**ismaelg** · 10-23-2019, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

The Pentax SV had a built-in self-timer. That model was introduced in 1962, 14 years earlier than the ME.

Pentax SV (H3v) - Pentax M42 Screwmount Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications

The Pentax SV / H3v has the coolest self timer ever built in a camera

jack002 · 10-23-2019, 08:03 AM

I've never seen one of these. Cool. I have a cable release from the old days. I wonder why the newer cameras don't allow a cable to go into it like they used to.

stevebrot · 10-23-2019, 08:28 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by chickentender

I sometimes pull out for use on the SV and older folding MF cameras that are sans timer (or those that have timers that I don't trust to not jam).

That last is the big qualifier. A seldom-spoken maxim regarding vintage cameras is that a mechanical self-timer is not to be touched until the shutter and timer mechanism has been fully cleaned, lubed, and adjusted. The rule applies double for cameras from the former Soviet Union. Now the confession...I have never been able to resist the temptation to try the timer on a newly-acquired camera.

Steve

**ismaelg** · 10-23-2019, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Now the confession...I have never been able to resist the temptation to try the timer on a newly-acquired camera.

Steve

Me neither... I always regret just after pushing the button thinking it will blow up

08amczb · 10-23-2019, 08:52 AM - **2 Likes**

It's really cool, but I think the coolest is the stereo adapter:

PENTAX Stereo Adapter 49mm and 52mm reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

**ismaelg** · 10-23-2019, 08:58 AM

Working my way up

Yes, the stereo adapter is really cool!

08amczb · 10-23-2019, 09:16 AM - **1 Like**

Sadly I don't have a stereo adapter, but here is a cross eye stereo image from two exposures:

Eyewanders · 10-23-2019, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Me neither... I always regret just after pushing the button thinking it will blow up

Hahaha. Yup. Though I will say I do it far less often now because I successfully "bricked" an FSU rangefinder and one 1940s era Zeiss-Ikon folder because I couldn't help myself. Until those to I was a little too cavalier about it.

---------- Post added 10-23-19 at 11:45 AM ----------

Originally posted by 08amczb

Sadly I don't have a stereo adapter, but here is a cross eye stereo image from two exposures:

Very cool. (And now I have a headache.

)

caferacer73 · 10-23-2019, 01:29 PM - **1 Like**

That's cool. I've never seen those before.

**StiffLegged** · 10-23-2019, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by 08amczb

Sadly I don't have a stereo adapter, but here is a cross eye stereo image from two exposures:

As close to each other as that, they're probably both crosseyed. I certainly am after trying to line the two up! (managed it...)

**Apet-Sure** · 10-23-2019, 02:26 PM

I sold mine a couple years ago. I occasionally used it with my Vivitar 250/SL and Pentax ME Super. Very handy indeed, and you could combine its delay with the camera's built-in timer for even longer delay should you need it. Mine had no identifying marks to determine who made it. Here's a shot:

Film camera shutter release timer taken with SMC... - Apet-Sure's Album: Misc. Pics-K10D - PentaxForums.com

titrisol · 10-23-2019, 03:03 PM

I have a couple... never thoguht they would be a big deal

Not a Number · 10-23-2019, 04:34 PM

There is/was one of the timers made by Ricoh listed on eBay.

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10-23-2019, 06:47 AM	#16
pendennis Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 41	I have a couple of them. They stay in my large format bag, along with changing bags, cable releases, focusing cloths, etc.

10-23-2019, 07:46 AM	#17
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Aye but I don't remember them being as noisy as that, perhaps this one's needing some lube...

10-23-2019, 08:00 AM	#18
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,684 Original Poster	Originally posted by pete-tarmigan The Pentax SV had a built-in self-timer. That model was introduced in 1962, 14 years earlier than the ME. Pentax SV (H3v) - Pentax M42 Screwmount Film SLRs - Pentax Camera Reviews and Specifications The Pentax SV / H3v has the coolest self timer ever built in a camera

10-23-2019, 08:03 AM	#19
jack002 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Missouri Photos: Albums Posts: 727	I've never seen one of these. Cool. I have a cable release from the old days. I wonder why the newer cameras don't allow a cable to go into it like they used to.

10-23-2019, 08:28 AM - 2 Likes	#20
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by chickentender I sometimes pull out for use on the SV and older folding MF cameras that are sans timer (or those that have timers that I don't trust to not jam). That last is the big qualifier. A seldom-spoken maxim regarding vintage cameras is that a mechanical self-timer is not to be touched until the shutter and timer mechanism has been fully cleaned, lubed, and adjusted. The rule applies double for cameras from the former Soviet Union. Now the confession...I have never been able to resist the temptation to try the timer on a newly-acquired camera. Steve

10-23-2019, 08:30 AM	#21
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,684 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Now the confession...I have never been able to resist the temptation to try the timer on a newly-acquired camera. Steve Me neither... I always regret just after pushing the button thinking it will blow up

10-23-2019, 08:52 AM - 2 Likes	#22
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	It's really cool, but I think the coolest is the stereo adapter: PENTAX Stereo Adapter 49mm and 52mm reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

10-23-2019, 08:58 AM	#23
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,684 Original Poster	Working my way up Yes, the stereo adapter is really cool!

10-23-2019, 09:16 AM - 1 Like	#24
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	Sadly I don't have a stereo adapter, but here is a cross eye stereo image from two exposures:

10-23-2019, 11:43 AM	#25
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by ismaelg Me neither... I always regret just after pushing the button thinking it will blow up Hahaha. Yup. Though I will say I do it far less often now because I successfully "bricked" an FSU rangefinder and one 1940s era Zeiss-Ikon folder because I couldn't help myself. Until those to I was a little too cavalier about it. ---------- Post added 10-23-19 at 11:45 AM ---------- Originally posted by 08amczb Sadly I don't have a stereo adapter, but here is a cross eye stereo image from two exposures: Very cool. (And now I have a headache. )

10-23-2019, 01:29 PM - 1 Like	#26
caferacer73 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 30	That's cool. I've never seen those before.

10-23-2019, 02:23 PM	#27
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,635	Originally posted by 08amczb Sadly I don't have a stereo adapter, but here is a cross eye stereo image from two exposures: As close to each other as that, they're probably both crosseyed. I certainly am after trying to line the two up! (managed it...)

10-23-2019, 02:26 PM	#28
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,872	I sold mine a couple years ago. I occasionally used it with my Vivitar 250/SL and Pentax ME Super. Very handy indeed, and you could combine its delay with the camera's built-in timer for even longer delay should you need it. Mine had no identifying marks to determine who made it. Here's a shot: Film camera shutter release timer taken with SMC... - Apet-Sure's Album: Misc. Pics-K10D - PentaxForums.com

10-23-2019, 03:03 PM	#29
titrisol Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In the most populated state... state of denial Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,854	I have a couple... never thoguht they would be a big deal

10-23-2019, 04:34 PM	#30
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	There is/was one of the timers made by Ricoh listed on eBay.