Bump bump. I just tried making this work and it doesn't. I set my camera to autofocus, pressed the shutter release, which made the camera focus. Then while the timer was counting down, I set my lens to manual and unfocused. Then I set my lens to autofocus again. The timer then finished counting down, triggered the shutter, but the focus stayed blurry (i.e. it didn't re-focus when the self-timer triggered).
I know the Pentax dSLR's will let you autofocus from the camera when using the correct wired or wireless remote, but not with the self timer. Make sure the setting is active also.
Sounds like you should pre focus on the spot you are 'jumping' into as mentioned earlier? I've made some weird contraptions to hit the shutter when setting fire to myself in the past.
That's it. Use the Interval Timer function. It pre-focuses every time before it releases the shutter. (Make sure you have it in something other than Manual focus)
Okay...here is an outtake on one of my SP's to show you what I do.
I take a lot of SP's. Sometimes I am alone and other times I have company. I always do my set up and test shots first, using either another person or item in front of the camera. That way I can get my composition and settings right. I use the remote on all my SP's and either I will have someone hold the remote and press it when I say so(usually if I am too far from the camera or the pose is too complicated to get together in a matter of seconds)...or I will hold the remote myself. If I am doing an SP where the remote will be seen...then I set the camera to self timer and press the remote and drop it. This gives me 10 seconds to finish the pose and for the camera to stop any shake from the dropped remote.
With focus I usually use Autofocus. But there are occasions the camera has to hunt to much and doesn't grab the focus..in this case I set a subject (person or object) in front of the camera and do a manual focus....I note where they are positioned and then take over that spot.
BTW...the reason I don't remember this being a problem is because I had that little remote shutter release gadget (for my D70), that Doesn't work with the D200. Eeeeks....I forgot that that's the reason it was all too easy before.
r
I'll look into that Int. Time Focus function.
Judi, I rarely have help with this stuff and leaping around my modestly sized apartment...well, kinda sux even if it is to get a shot. I got no game and I always trip over everything. I'm a pretty well coordinated guy but tripods and wires get me every time.
BTW...the reason I don't remember this being a problem is because I had that little remote shutter release gadget (for my D70), that Doesn't work with the D200. Eeeeks....I forgot that that's the reason it was all too easy before.
r
I'll look into that Int. Time Focus function.
Judi, I rarely have help with this stuff and leaping around my modestly sized apartment...well, kinda sux even if it is to get a shot. I got no game and I always trip over everything. I'm a pretty well coordinated guy but tripods and wires get me every time.
Thanx again, all.
See page 89 of the Nikon D200 user manual for the Interval Timer function. It's like the Self Timer. The Interval Timer takes photos automatically at preset intervals. One difference I found between the Self Timer and Interval Timer (besides the interval option) is that before closing the shutter, the camera focuses.
