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Blurry Pictures When Using Self-TimerNikon D3400

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Posted by Triton: Sat Feb 10th, 2018 18:38

1^st Post

First let me say that I am a novice when it comes to photography, so please forgive me if this is a stupid question...

I have a Nikon D3400 DSLR camera. I've noticed that when using the Self-Timer feature, my pictures tend to be blurry, whether it be a close-up shot or further away.

Can someone help me out with this problem?

Thanks!

Posted by Robert: Sun Feb 11th, 2018 02:59

2^nd Post

Welcome to the forum Triton.

How is the camera mounted?

In the absence of any examples or information, my thoughts and suggestions.

Self timer is usually used to trigger the shutter when the camera is mounted on a less than rock solid tripod, to eliminate the action of pressing the shutter button (which causes blurry pictures, even if using a tripod) disturbing the camera when the button is pressed. The usual way is with a remote control of one sort or another but if you don't have one, or the battery goes flat, the self timer can do the job, although you don't get to choose a decisive moment ten seconds before it happens! This should result in very sharp images.

It can also be used for taking a photograph when you want to be included in the picture, it gives you the opportunity to get into position before the shutter is released. Obviously that requires some sort of support for the camera, which could be sat on a wall, table or even propped in a tree?

I assume this occurs in poor light? In good light the shutter speed should be high enough to eliminate moderate camera shake caused by an unstable mount, or hand holding. Although, in poor light the camera mounted flash usually pops up. The flash should freezes any camera shake.

What lens are you using?

If it's above 50 or 100mm then you need to take special precautions like using a good solid tripod to guarantee sharp images in poor light. Wider lenses tend to be a bit more forgiving. Longer lenses will give more blurred images if there is any camera shake at all.

Without seeing an example and knowing the circumstances, it's difficult to be more precise.

One other possible cause is if your lens has VR (Vibration Reduction) and you ARE using a tripod, you need to turn the VR off, because on a tripod, it can actually cause blurred images.

____________________
Robert.

Posted by Graham Whistler: Sun Feb 11th, 2018 05:46

3^rd Post

Auto focus could also cause the problem if camera is on tripod focus camera on manual then use self timer as per Rober's help above.

____________________
Graham Whistler

Posted by Eric: Sun Feb 11th, 2018 05:47

4^th Post

As Robert suggests, without seeing an example of a photograph, it's easy to jump to the the wrong diagnosis....we need to ask several key questions.....

Are the photos from this camera and lens normally ok when NOT using the self timer?

Is EVERY photo using the self timer blurry?

Is EVERYTHING in the photo blurry?

If some parts near or far are ok while the rest is blurry it could be where the camera is focusing.

If everything is blurry on every shot, it suggest the camera moved during exposure.

The camera can 'move' for several reasons....apart from it physically moving it's position during the exposure, it can suffer vibration movement from the action of the photo being taken.

So it's important we know EXACTLY how you are taking the photos.

Is the camera on a solid tripod?

Is it in bright sunlight (so using a fast shutter speed) or at night (slow shutter speed)?

If it mounted on a tripod, is the VR switched off as Robert mentioned?

Is it just sat loosely on a soft surface or a hard surface? Handholding and soft surfaces will damp vibrations more than a solid surface.

So we need more info.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

:thumbs:

____________________
Eric

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