Focusing with Auto-Timer

[mitchmu]

When using the "auto timer" to take a photo with the timer on the Rebel, when does focusing happen? Does focusing happen when you press the shutter release button to start the timer, or, does focusing happen when the timer expires and just before the photo is actually taken?

 

[Spaz]

I believe it happens when you press the shutter release.

When using the "auto timer" to take a photo with the timer on the
Rebel, when does focusing happen? Does focusing happen when you
press the shutter release button to start the timer, or, does
focusing happen when the timer expires and just before the photo is
actually taken?

 

[Jim Coffey #162382]

I don't trust the camera to focus properly on autotimer so I manually set the focus where I want and then set the timer.

Ditto for exposure. I take a reading - often taking a shot to see how it looks, then I set it on manual where I think it should go and set the timer.

Sometimes I'll tell it to use bracketing to take multiple pictures - this is good for group shots - you get three shots and hopefully one of them looks good. I'll set the bracketing to the minimum amount + - 1/3 or whatever. Slightly under or over exposed is ok if it let's you get a shot without cousin Billy Bob looking like an idiot with his finger up his nose.

 

[MartinusJB]

I did a simple test: the DR focuses when you push the button, not when the picture is taken. Silly but true.

Put the camera on a tripod, push the button and put yourself (or anything else) 2m from the lens after you pushed. And be surprised...

When using the "auto timer" to take a photo with the timer on the
Rebel, when does focusing happen? Does focusing happen when you
press the shutter release button to start the timer, or, does
focusing happen when the timer expires and just before the photo is
actually taken?

 

[Bfax]

silly? It makes perfect sense. The main reason for doing a timer shot is that you won't be behind the camera looking through the viewfinder to check focus when the shot is taken. So you get to check the focus when you set up the shot and start the timer.

Consider the alternative - you are taking a group shot that you want to be in. Focus is unknown when you hit the button, and dash into the shot. Focus happens just before picture is taken - but focussed on what - who knows until you check the pic. I don't think that is a very good alternative.

Put the camera on a tripod, push the button and put yourself (or
anything else) 2m from the lens after you pushed. And be
surprised...

When using the "auto timer" to take a photo with the timer on the
Rebel, when does focusing happen? Does focusing happen when you
press the shutter release button to start the timer, or, does
focusing happen when the timer expires and just before the photo is
actually taken?