Self Timer on Z8, does it refocus during each shot

[Many Feathers]

I am reading Steve PErry's Z8 update ebook. (great book...thanks!) I'm on the section for using the Self Timer for some wildlife situations.

If you're taking, for example, 3 shots, does the camera refocus during each shot?

 

[agrumpyoldsod]

It is called Interval Timers Shooting and you get to choose -- Look at [Focus before each shot] settings here ---- https://onlinemanual.nikonimglib.co...9a9c8931-4e8c-3c59-89ff-15a7b6f6ca81_132.html

 

[Butlerkid]

If you are just using the Timer to automatically run through the number of shots you have chosen in Bracketing, you focus before starting the bracketing sequence.

 

[Many Feathers]

Thanks for your answers. I'm not questioning the Interval Timer or Bracketing though. My question is about the Self Timer. I found this in the manual which is online this morning, but it doesn't say whether or not it refocuses in between each image. Does anyone know?

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[Butlerkid]

That is the timer I referred to. You focus before initiating the count down.

 

[bleirer]

I am reading Steve PErry's Z8 update ebook. (great book...thanks!) I'm on the section for using the Self Timer for some wildlife situations.

If you're taking, for example, 3 shots, does the camera refocus during each shot?

I don't know the answer, but just to clarify, you would like to wait say 10 seconds then automatically take for example 10 shots but if the subject was moving it would adjust the focus each time?

I'm wondering if you can combine self timer set to 1 shot with interval timer set to 'now' or does one exclude the other? Or I see the interval times gives you 3 seconds if set to now, or you can program a start time.

 

[Geoff_G]

The Z9 does NOT AF between Self Timer shots, so it is likely the Z8 won't either.

 

[Steve]

Nope, it doesn't focus between shots. The idea with the slow shutter speed self timer technique described in the book is that you have the camera shoot a few extra frames to overcome any incidental movement by the subject (increasing your odds). However, once your focus, it's fixed at that distance.

 

[bleirer]

Nope, it doesn't focus between shots. The idea with the slow shutter speed self timer technique described in the book is that you have the camera shoot a few extra frames to overcome any incidental movement by the subject (increasing your odds). However, once your focus, it's fixed at that distance.

Can it be combined with interval timer?

 

[Many Feathers]

Got it...thanks for all your answers. Incredible that I can get an answer from the author on something in a book. Let me say again, it's a wonderful book!

 

[Steve]

Can it be combined with interval timer?

I don't think the interval timer is a practical way to do that technique. Most of the time, when you can pull it off, you focus, press the shutter release, and hope the critter doesn't move in the five seconds before the series

Once you get that first set, then it's time to refocus and try again. In between though, the animal often moves, turns it's head, etc, so you have to hold off until just the right moment to activate the timer. It's a "Hail Mary" kind of technique to be sure, but it can work if the stars line up

 

[bleirer]

I don't think the interval timer is a practical way to do that technique. Most of the time, when you can pull it off, you focus, press the shutter release, and hope the critter doesn't move in the five seconds before the series

Once you get that first set, then it's time to refocus and try again. In between though, the animal often moves, turns it's head, etc, so you have to hold off until just the right moment to activate the timer. It's a "Hail Mary" kind of technique to be sure, but it can work if the stars line up

Just for curiosity in a hypothetical, if someone were taking a group photo of people standing still at a picnic using a tripod, could they acquire focus on an eye then set the interval timer set to now to take 10 shots 1 second apart refocusing every time, but also set the self timer for one photo to give the photographer time to get in position before the interval kicks in? So the self timer then activates the interval timer?

Of course one could set the interval timer for 20 shots and just throw away the first 10.