preferred self-timer attachment for M6

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I'm shopping for a self-timer attachment for my M6. Looking at something simple and small and cheap enough to justify using a handful of times only each year.

Any suggestions? Thanks

-- victor (danzfotog@yahoo.com), January 02, 2002

Answers

Quoted from:

http://nemeng.com/leica/#008b

When the M6 was designed in the early 1980s, the self-timer on the front of the camera was replaced by a battery compartment. So in order to use a self-timer with the M6, you need to buy one as a separate, small clock-work accessory which screws into the camera shutter release socket.

These are easy to buy at any photo store and are made by Hama or Kalt. New ones usually cost $US 15-25, although it shouldn't be too hard to find one 2nd hand for $US 5-10.

And when only the real-thing will do, Wetzlar Snobs can also trawl the net and second-hand dealers for Leica APDOO and OZTNO adapters. They go just great with your "I-Love-Oskar-Barnack" t-shirts and prayer shawl...

-- Sikaan (Sikaan4@aol.com), January 02, 2002.


At B&H www.bhphotovideo.com the Hama is US$39.95 and the General Brand is US$19.95

-- Sikaan (Sikaan4@ao..com), January 02, 2002.

Which is the 'best' one available (not 'economy')? Thank you.

-- PD (pd100@hotmail.com), January 02, 2002.

The best self-timer: A short Leica cable release (US$30) and a sexy model in a thong bikini (US$100 an hour).

Sorry, couldn't resist. :)

B&H only lists the two self-timers that I mentioned before, and they usually carry EVERYTHING. I just bought the General Brand one for myself. I'll let you know how it performs as soon as I get it in the mail.

-- Sikaan (Sikaan4@aol.com), January 02, 2002.


I bought two clockwork self-timers, a couple of weeks ago, for $2.50 each. They are new, made in Japan, and seem to work OK, although the spring tension is very tight. I can't believe they'll last very long. I would have bought a better one but couldn't find one here (in Jakarta).

It's necessary to adjust a screw threaded collar to control the distance to which the little probe extends, otherwise it either doesn't fire the shutter or puts unnecessary stress on the shutter release and could possibly do some damage. I measured the required distance by using a locking cable release to fire my M6 and then adjusted the self-timer's probe so that it extended to the same distance. The locking collar on the self-timer is not very secure and I think it could slip after some use but I don't think I'll be using it all that often.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), January 02, 2002.



My favorite is an old Kodak Auto timer release and a short cable release which attaches to it. The Kodak timer pushes the cable release at the set time. The cable release isolates the camera from the timer movement. I found others made a jerk on the camera when they actuated. The timers are cheap and don't take up much room. Best of all, since they've been around for 60 years or more, they'll probably outlast the camera.

-- Alec (alecj@bellsouth.net), January 03, 2002.

I'll second Ray's notion up there. I too bought that Hama thing and the thing I don't like about it is this: the inside nail or needle (part No. 5 in the instruction's diagram there) which gets fired into the socket has to be adjusted so that it's length is perfect. This is done by loosening and tightening the threaded collar (part No. 3). But insufficient length also results in a loose screw-in, whereas (I fear, I think) somewhat excessive length may damage something below the socket. I'm afraid the nail or needle just has to be filed down somewhere between 3 and 5 mm.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), January 03, 2002.

You might also consider a 20' or 30' air-bulb remote release. B&H sells a Hama model.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), January 03, 2002.

More on self-timers:

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=006qhd

-- Sikaan (Sikaan4@aol.com), January 03, 2002.


Dan Brown: "You might also consider a 20' or 30' air-bulb remote release. B&H sells a Hama model."

Hi,

I used to have the Air Bulb remote release (20 ft). It was a major hassle to make sure that the black air tube was not in the picture. This is hard if there is only a flat surface between the camera and the subject (yourself). The tube is coiled for storage and soon becomes like a large coiled cable, difficult to straighten or flatten quickly. It ruins the spontaneity fo a photographic situation unles you are the only subject. Other people are not as patient. In short, it's unwieldy and you'll soon stop using it for self-pictures. It is good for animal shots when you want to hide behind a tree or something.

-- Sikaan (Sikaan4@aol.com), January 03, 2002.



Hi Victor, I dont agree with Sikaan, I bought a air bulb self release at ritz camera for about 8$ and I personally like it better than the mechaical ones where everybody waits until this damned thing has finished running and finally releases the shutter. And in addition it looks kind of cool on the photograph and it is by far not as expensive as a mechanical or electronic self release (I assume at least, I didn't shop around for it).

Johannes

-- Johannes Fleischhauer (j.fleischhauer@vsao.ch), January 03, 2002.


i have the hama clockwork, but i payed only about $5 for it. in germany though, but new in the box. it is pretty noisy, but works just fine. $39 is a rip off in my opinion. the thingy feels rather cheap, but has a adjustable collar for the length of release travel. one nice touch is that you can stop it, before it releases the shutter.

they are very often available at camera fairs for very little money. there is definitely no sense in spending too much on it.

-- stefan randlkofer (geesbert@yahoo.com), January 03, 2002.


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