Do you want a mechanical self-timer?

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am posting this to photo-3d because it is of interest to those stereo 
photographers who use 50s camera technology.

My mechanical timer is sold and I am getting a lot of requests for it.  If
you want one, you can do the following:

1. Go to camera shows and ask dealers if they have one.  They are usually
happy to get rid of it for $5-$10 because it is useless to almost everybody
except for stereo photographers and other insane individuals :) using
cameras from the 50s! 

2. Post an ad in rec.photo.marketplace or other places where you can reach
people selling equipment in general.

3. If 1 & 2 fail, and you still want one, they buy a NEW one from Porter's
(but be prepared to pay a high price, close to $25-$30, I think)

A mechanical self-timer is a very useful accessory.  You put the camera on
the tripod, compose the scene, wind the timer and you then have about 5-10
seconds to run and put yourself in the scene.  Some mechanical timers can
be used for timed exposures (they will hold the shutter open for a
user-controlled amount of time).

The alternative is the air cable release (also available from Porter's and
other photographic outlets).  I have pictures of my wife, myself and our
newborn (1 hour old) daughter in the hospital bed, taken with an air cable
release.  The advantage is that you have better control over the exact
instant of the exposure (when you squeeze the bulb), but the disadvantage
is that it is hard to hide it (from the picture) and little kids can trip 
over it and drop your camera down!

In any case, if you frequent camera shows, try and unearth those mechanical
timers and buy them for presents for stereo photographers friends or for
resale!!!

For a Porter's catalog, call 1-800-553-2001.  They are also in the Web but
I don't have their address handy.  Their prices are in the high side for a 
mail order company but they have good and fast service and wide selection
of hard-to-find photographic accessories.  Nice big large illustrated
catalog.

-- George Themelis


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