Compact camera with a programmable self timer?

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Geoff Crowther

"... travel far, not fast", Ted Simon
Anyone got one? I'd like a camera, what'll go in my pocket but take self portraits of me on the bike? I can't make the dash an' start peddaling in 10 seconds! Doesn't seem that big an ask.
 

Scoosh

Velocouchiste
Moderator
Location
Edinburgh
Have you tried the Photo phorum ?
 

Steady

Veteran
Location
Derby
Not entirely sure what you want to do, but the Canon compact camera range (the cheap £40 sort Argos sell) can be hacked with something called CDHK whilst it seems complicated at first it's just a matter of selecting the right firmware for the camera model and I think there's now a straight forward program to do the installation onto the sd card and once it's installed on the camera as firmware and the script is set up to how you want it it's pretty much just turn the camera on, click and go and it'll do as you've set it up for. Whether that's taking pictures every 5/10 seconds until you tell it to stop, and there is a delay that's longer than 10 seconds capable of being setup until the script starts and pictures are taken.

I've got the A1400 set up like this, though my intention is for timelapse shots.
 

glasgowcyclist

Charming but somewhat feckless
Location
Scotland
Thanks for that. Just tried a search there but came up with nothing other than a Canon Powershot g series. Too expensive (over £400) and too bulky for a pocket.
Surely there must be a true compact out there with this facility.


I have the Powershot A3300 (IS) which has this facility. It has 2 presets of 2 seconds and 10 seconds, then a third option where you can choose the delay to suit yourself, anything from 1 to 30 seconds. The same feature lets you specify how many shots it will take at the end of the delay you've set, anything from 1 to 10 shots. It's a super little camera, fitting easily into a cycling top pocket and the results are very good. You should be able to pick up one of these very cheaply, certainly under £40.

I recommend Canon's outlet on Ebay where they sell refurbished cameras with a year's Canon warranty. You could get this A3500 (IS) for £39.99

Anything I've bought from them has been indistinguishable from new.

GC
 
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Geoff Crowther

Geoff Crowther

"... travel far, not fast", Ted Simon
I have the Powershot A3300 (IS) which has this facility. It has 2 presets of 2 seconds and 10 seconds, then a third option where you can choose the delay to suit yourself, anything from 1 to 30 seconds. The same feature lets you specify how many shots it will take at the end of the delay you've set, anything from 1 to 10 shots. It's a super little camera, fitting easily into a cycling top pocket and the results are very good. You should be able to pick up one of these very cheaply, certainly under £40.

I recommend Canon's outlet on Ebay where they sell refurbished cameras with a year's Canon warranty. You could get this A3500 (IS) for £39.99

Anything I've bought from them has been indistinguishable from new.

GC
Thanks for that GC. 'Sounds very interesting and might be just what I want. I'll give it a look.
 
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Geoff Crowther

Geoff Crowther

"... travel far, not fast", Ted Simon
I have the Powershot A3300 (IS) which has this facility. It has 2 presets of 2 seconds and 10 seconds, then a third option where you can choose the delay to suit yourself, anything from 1 to 30 seconds. The same feature lets you specify how many shots it will take at the end of the delay you've set, anything from 1 to 10 shots. It's a super little camera, fitting easily into a cycling top pocket and the results are very good. You should be able to pick up one of these very cheaply, certainly under £40.

I recommend Canon's outlet on Ebay where they sell refurbished cameras with a year's Canon warranty. You could get this A3500 (IS) for £39.99

Anything I've bought from them has been indistinguishable from new.

GC

Update:
You, my friend are a star of the first order.
Having double checked that this camera has up to 30 secs delay for the self timer, I bought it.
£42.94 inc p&p AND one year's guarantee.
Many, many thanks. I'd never have thought of this refurbished option.
Can't thank you enough.
Geoff
 

glasgowcyclist

Charming but somewhat feckless
Location
Scotland
Update:
You, my friend are a star of the first order.
Having double checked that this camera has up to 30 secs delay for the self timer, I bought it.
£42.94 inc p&p AND one year's guarantee.
Many, many thanks. I'd never have thought of this refurbished option.
Can't thank you enough.
Geoff


That's great news, I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

I've been doing a little more digging and your camera is also wi-fi equipped. If you have a smartphone you can get Canon's free Camera Window app which allows you to do remote shooting, so you could first frame up the shot then use your app to fire the shutter remotely. I use the EOS Remote app via my iPad for my EOS 60D and it is terrific.

GC
 
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Geoff Crowther

Geoff Crowther

"... travel far, not fast", Ted Simon
That's great news, I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

I've been doing a little more digging and your camera is also wi-fi equipped. If you have a smartphone you can get Canon's free Camera Window app which allows you to do remote shooting, so you could first frame up the shot then use your app to fire the shutter remotely. I use the EOS Remote app via my iPad for my EOS 60D and it is terrific.

GC
Wow! Even better.
Cheers again!
 
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