Nikon d70s lesson 3

Welcome back to the Nikon d70 and Nikon D70s lessons. What I try to do is simply share the knowledge of the d70 and the d70s that has been shared with me. This blog will discuss the timer. The Nikon D70s timer is a great way to get a picture with you included. You can set the Nikon d70 on a tripod, set on the timer setting, push the shutter release button, and then still have time to run over and get into the picture. This is great for self portraits, when you are all alone, or with a friend that you want to share an image with.
To use the timer on your Nikon D70, and the Nikon D70s, you must first set it on a tripod. I know that this is a no brainier, but I felt that it had to be written. This enables the camera to remain in place while you scurry around to the front of the camera. Be sure to frame the shot, and make all of the adjustments such as focus.
Now comes the part where you must play with the menu of the Nikon d70s. This is easy as pie, so let's do this!
The manual of the Nikon D70, and the Nikon D70s, explains this on page 105. However, I would love to explain my version of the whole affair. First, turn on your camera, and hold it as if you are about to snap an image. With your left hand, place the mode dial to the "M" mode, or manual mode. This is not the only mode that makes use of the self timer, but I prefer this mode, and I use it a lot. Again, with the left hand, press and hold the button that resembles several pages on top of each other. This is called the shooting mode button. With this button held down, use your right hand to rotate the dial on the back of the Nikon d70 (the side that holds the memory card). The first thing you will notice, in the top most information window, or screen, is a series of symbols. These change as you rotate the dial.
The first is a "S" in a box, then comes the symbol that is the same as the shooting mode button, next is a clock (timer), and this is followed by a timer and a remote underneath it. Last of all is a symbol that is a remote.
The symbol that we are to look for is the clock symbol, or the timer symbol. Once this is seen in the display, let go of the button with your left hand. Now, focus the D70 or D70s by pressing the shutter release half way down. Using manual focus can sometimes save you a headache of the camera focusing over and over. Anyhoo, once it is framed and focused, press the shutter release all of the way down. The Nikon D70 will start to beep and the light in the cameras front will blink in tandem with the beeps. This will become faster as the release gets closer to firing, until "POW" the picture is taken. To shoot another one, you must go through the entire process again. Perhaps a letter or two from all of us Nikonians will alter their mindset, and save us all from this agonizing process?
Next, try a couple of practice shots. Get the feel of how the Nikon d70 runs down the timer, and then triggers the shutter release. Remember that the Nikon camera is digital, so you can practice and delete all day long you get the time down, then it is time to do the real thing.
T see some great self timed portraits, check out my site, and look for a guy on a Harley Davidson, and the image of me with my guitar in the background. www.SteveRamsdell.com