I was searching for a self-timer for my Leica MP and found the Walz Self-Timer as an option. Has anyone tried it? If yes, which model is the best among the different variations? Are there any other alternatives worth considering?
There are a number of self timers on the market. Waltz made a lot of accessories for cameras, lens shades, filters and as above self timers. When you're looking, make sure you find one that screws into the shutter release. Some came with a cap for the Barnack Leicas that, like Nikon, had a solid release. The other thing to be aware of is many of these remotes have been sitting in a drawer since the 1960's and whatever lubrication they had may be dried out. I've had a few that after letting them drag though the cycle a dozen or so times, worked pretty well.
You could spend big bucks and get a Reveni remote. Works up to a hundred meters away from the trigger!
Most (maybe, all) of the Leica self-timers had a different head. Like this one (below). It has both the 'basket' shape, with inside threads for the shutter button or its housing (no Leicas at my place, atm), and a flat-ish push-pad inside. You also see the 'basket' on a different-again type, with the 'poker' type of end that your image has, but inside of the basket.
Yes, I have also one of these for my Leica M cameras without self-timer. Bought a Kopil self-timer made in Japan several years ago on ebay for a very good deal. Full metal housing and nearly mint. Came with original blue plastic case and manual. It works very well, but I admit I don't make as much use of it as I anticipated when I bought it.
Most (maybe, all) of the Leica self-timers had a different head. Like this one (below). It has both the 'basket' shape, with inside threads for the shutter button or its housing (no Leicas at my place, atm), and a flat-ish push-pad inside. You also see the 'basket' on a different-again type, with the 'poker' type of end that your image has, but inside of the basket.
Cheers,
Jim
Thanks Jim,
I purchased this one (see below) but based on your images, it may not work on my Leica MP. Is that the case?
lifeandmylens wrote:
Looks like it should work perfectly fine. It screws into the threaded shutter release. I have this one and it works great on my M’s.
---------------------------------------------
madNbad wrote:
It has the same threads for as a cable release so it should be fine.
Great! It should be fun to try it. My family already thinks I've lost it anyways! It may also be a good way to hypnotize my dog!
madNbad wrote:
There are a number of self timers on the market. Waltz made a lot of accessories for cameras, lens shades, filters and as above self timers. When you're looking, make sure you find one that screws into the shutter release. Some came with a cap for the Barnack Leicas that, like Nikon, had a solid release. The other thing to be aware of is many of these remotes have been sitting in a drawer since the 1960's and whatever lubrication they had may be dried out. I've had a few that after letting them drag though the cycle a dozen or so times, worked pretty well.
You could spend big bucks and get a Reveni remote. Works up to a hundred meters away from the trigger!...Show more →
The Reveni looks cool but perhaps a bit too bulky. Also too much $.
I'm not sure whether we should feel insulted or disappointed. But obviously Fred has not (yet) been badly influenced by us enough.
The correct answer to getting a self timer for an M, is not to buy some tacky accessory that ruins the classical lines of such a masterpiece. Oh no. The polite thing to do is buy another M that does have a self timer. And if you already have one, get a different one with a self timer.
Desmolicious wrote:
I'm not sure whether we should feel insulted or disappointed. But obviously Fred has not (yet) been badly influenced by us enough.
The correct answer to getting a self timer for an M, is not to buy some tacky accessory that ruins the classical lines of such a masterpiece. Oh no. The polite thing to do is buy another M that does have a self timer. And if you already have one, get a different one with a self timer.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52594394659_76fbbbc3a7_b.jpg
My M3 has a self timer, but I doubt I have used it more than half a dozen times in over 50 years!
If you use one of these screw in to cable release socket gadgets, be very careful with adjustment. The clockwork mech pushes the pin relentlessly in, and if it goes too far might wreck the innards, was a source of repair income when I worked in a shop when these things were common. I certainly wouldn't screw one into a really good camera.
gyoung143 wrote:
My M3 has a self timer, but I doubt I have used it more than half a dozen times in over 50 years!
If you use one of these screw in to cable release socket gadgets, be very careful with adjustment. The clockwork mech pushes the pin relentlessly in, and if it hoes too far might wreck the innards, was a source of repair income when I worked in a shop when these things were common. I certainly wouldn't screw one into a really good camera.
Gerry
I actually agree with this. I'm leery of using the screw in self timer on expensive cameras. While it does work, I'm afraid it pushes the pin too deep in the threaded release. And on mine at least it doesn't seem to have a depth adjustment. Huss mentioned the cameras with self timer and it's a much more elegant way to do self timer shots.
lifeandmylens wrote:
I actually agree with this. I'm leery of using the screw in self timer on expensive cameras. While it does work, I'm afraid it pushes the pin too deep in the threaded release. And on mine at least it doesn't seem to have a depth adjustment. Huss mentioned the cameras with self timer and it's a much more elegant way to do self timer shots.
Another dull point with external timer turned out for me that it interferes with buttons used on Leica M shutter releases. It is a pain during shooting to remove a fixed button and rubber rings just to install the external timer.
panos.v wrote:
Get an M4. Though not my M4 as I had the self-timer removed
I would never consider buying a film camera just because of a self-timer feature. I actually prefer the clean look of Leica bodies without the timer. The external self-timer is just an option for those rare events I want one.
Another (safer) option which has a rather unique "selfie" look is using a threaded cable release. Mostly only an option if you intend to be close to the camera.
It may also be a good way to hypnotize my dog! 
