Using the Self-Timer
Using the Self-Timer
The self-timer of 2500 is easier to use than that of the 950, 990, 995, 4500
and 5000. To use the self-timer, follow the steps below:
- In the shooting mode, press the up arrow of the multi-selector to
display the self-timer menu as shown below:
This menu will appear briefly (i.e., 2 second). Therefore, if
it disappears before you can act, just press the up arrow of the
multi-selector again.
- Use the up arrow to highlight the
On item. Once
On is highlighted, the self-timer
icon appear in the lower right corner of the LCD monitor
(below left). Then, use the right arrow to select this item.
The self-timer icon will stay on the LCD monitor, indicating that
self-timer has been activated (below right).
If you change your mind, you can press the up arrow of the
multi-selector and select Off to
de-activate the self-timer.
- When you press the shutter-release button, the self-timer starts
count-down (left below) and the self-timer lamp flashes (below right).
The self-timer stays on in the final second as a warning signal.
After ten seconds, the camera will focus and take a photo. After a
photo is taken, the self-timer is off and must be activated again.
As pointed out above, the camera does not focus when the shutter-release button
is pressed all the way down. Instead, it focuses after ten seconds. Moreover,
the camera focuses on the closest subject. Because of these
facts, a few important issues must be kept in mind when using self-timer:
- Normally, the camera should be on a tripod or on a flat surface,
because for most of the cases you might not be at the control.
- After activate the self-timer and before press the shutter-release
button all the way down, you must (1) set all
camera settings that will be used for taking the photo, and
(2) compose the photo carefully. The second one is
particularly important. Because the camera focuses on the closest
subject, in your composition you have to make sure that there is
nothing between the camera and your subject. Otherwise, your
subject will not be in focus.
- The use of self-timer is very useful in minimizing camera shake in
low light and close-up photography. Mount the camera on a tripod,
compose, and use self-timer. Why? When the shutter-release button
is pressed all the way down, it will cause some camera movement. In
low light situation, the shutter speed will be slow, and, as a
result, the camera movement caused by pressing the shutter-release
button may be "captured" by the slow shutter speed. The result is
a blurred image.