Selftimer woes

[blurt]

I purchased a Kalt self timer for my 500C/M. It seems to be one of the worst-designed instruments ever conceived. Can an experienced user help with these problems?

a. Adjusting the "throw" to the length necessary to trip the shutter,
.…while remaining the proper length to permit the auxiliary shutter (rear blinds) to shut, i.e. to complete all events in a normal shutter release. Often I manage to adjust the timer to open the shutters, but it stalls on the final part and the rear shutter remains open.

b. Setting the timer to a constant adjustment position so it needs no further tinkering with each use. I can't for the life of me see how this is done. The instructions are hilarious on this point. As it is now, it is never reliable, and may or may not open the shutter. Great with a family group when I want to jump into the frame.

c. Is there any way to screw in and unscrew the thing without scratching the rings of the lens

Thanks, Blurt

 

[johnglassonionnet]

>[I used to have a similar problem. I ordered one of those things from b+ h and it showed up broken, although not obviously broken, so i struggled with it for a week or so until it completely failed. I searched high and low and couldn't find any other mechanical timers anywhere so I ordered a nother one. I know exactly the problem that you're dealing with and it's a pain. I've gotten around it simply by spending about 30 minutes adjusti ng the thing and dry-firing the camera - now it works great. Ideally you want the rear curtain to close, but it's not necessary, it will close whe n you remove the timer. I've found what works best is to get a short cabl e-release extension and attach the timer to that. I found a solid 6" one somewhere made of metal braid that works quite nicely. Once you have the timer adjusted the way you want it you could put a drop of lock-tight on it and be done with it. I imagine this is the same thing you have - here are the timers on b+w (i can't seem to find any difference between any of them: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?ci=1&sb=ps&pn= 1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=SearchBar&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t&sh s=self+timer&image.x=0&image.y=0. And here are a couple of extensio ns: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=d etails&Q=&sku=233735&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation an d http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=det ails&Q=&sku=70981&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation - ho pe this helps. i used to keep looking for something better - but i've gro wn quite comfortable with this setup, it works quite well for me.. -john]

 

[blurt]

> Thank you for the extensive answer. The existence of these things > (B&H carries 3 different brands!) is itself a curiosity. If you > later recall where you got the release extension thing, please post > it. It wouldn't be any of these, would it? http:// > www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home? > O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=82409&is=REG&addedTroughType=search o > r http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home? > O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=82407&is=REG&addedTroughType=search ? Thanks for the help. Blurt

 

[blurt]

> In case others search for a solution to this problem: I followed > John's suggestions and it worked like a charm. The release-button > extension doodad is called (at B&H) a U-Hook Adapter. The one I > found there was less than $10; the brand was Kalt, the same as my > self-timer. I managed to get it at the right setting to close the > rear shutters, and then I quickly dropped on the Loctite (aka > "Titen") to hold the thing at that adjustment forever, taking care > not to move it at all. The whole contraption is too clunky to > describe in words, but it does do the job. No one will mistake > you for a slave of the digital revolution when you pull out this > piece of absurd machinery before jumping into the frame. Thanks > to John. -Blurt