Page 1 of 1

2 second timer on the A700

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:18 pm
by motor
I have never used it till last night but I needed to do a long exposure and didn't want anything to move. I set the A700 to the 2 second timer on a tripod and when I push the shutter button it shoots instantly. I changed it to the 10 second timer and the 10 second when pressed turns clear and delays for 10 seconds beeps 12 times and takes the shot just like it is suppose to. I factory reset the camera and tried the 2 second timer again. Nothing. My A300 works fine in all the settings. It turns the 2 second symbol clear and beeps 5 times and takes the picture. Am I missing something. Is there a setting in which the 2 second timer doesn't work or should I call sony and send it in for service? It is under warranty for 3 more years. I am afraid that if the 2 second timer is not working that the 10 second may follow later or something else is disconnected or something. I figured I'd start here to see if I am missing something or get advice to try before I send it away for a while.

Motor

Re: 2 second timer on the A700

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:10 pm
by KevinBarrett
On the a700, the two-second timer incorporates a function called "mirror-lock-up" as well. It seems as if the camera is firing immediately because as soon as you press the shutter, the mirror goes up, blacking out the viewfinder and sounding for all the world like it just took the picture. However, the camera then waits two seconds for all the vibrations of the mirror action to settle down, then it fires the shutter.

Re: 2 second timer on the A700

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:43 pm
by motor
If what you are saying Kevin is correct then mine is working. I am going to us simple words and sounds so that nobody get confused. I think I am correct but I just want to make sure.

1 set the timer to 2 seconds using the FN or drive mode
2 Push the shutter button half way down and it beeps using auto focus ( image is focused)
3 push the shutter button all the way down and the mirror locks making a " click "
4 it is silent for 2 seconds
5 the mirror "clicks" again and the picture appears

There is no timing beeps and the 2 stays solid the entire time....... correct?

The entire sequence sound like a long overexposed slow shutter speed dark picture being taken.

If this sounds right them my A700 is correct. It is just strange that the A300 has quick beeps for 2 seconds and the 2 turns clear just like the 700 on the 10 second timer. I was just expecting the same and have never really used the 2 second timer yet. I only use it on fireworks.

Thankyou Kevin for your input

Motor

Re: 2 second timer on the A700

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 9:10 pm
by Winston
Take a picture of a clock or watch that has a seconds hand

Re: 2 second timer on the A700

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 9:14 pm
by David Kilpatrick
The A300 works that way because it does not have mirror pre-lift.

David

Re: 2 second timer on the A700

Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 10:57 pm
by Andy B
Motor,

You may want to pick up a wired remote commander for your A700 to use instead of the shutter button when activating the 2-second timer with mirror lockup. The Sony RM-S1AM is a bit pricey, but you can find used Minolta remotes on ebay.

Note that when you use the 2-second delay button on the wireless remote commander, it does NOT activate the mirror lockup like the wired remote or shutter button does.

Andy

Re: 2 second timer on the A700

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:26 am
by gio67
i got a wireless remote commander in the box with my 700

Re: 2 second timer on the A700

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 6:16 pm
by motor
Thanks everyone! my 2 second timer it is working fine. The remote commander does work fine on the 2 second timer and the timer does also work on the camera. I was just confused when the commander did one thing, the 300 did something different and yet the 700 set manually did something different yet. Everything is good now.

Thanks again everyone

Motor