Self timer on old camera

Some cameras had built in STs in the 1930's. External, accessory STs
were also available.

By 1948 many, perhaps most, cameras had built-in STs.

 

I have a photo of my family dated 1948. We've been going over the
photo to determine who is who. We are having a difficult time trying
to figure out who took the picture. One of my brothers said that maybe
the camera had a self timer. My question: When did self timers become
available on cameras?

By the way, I don't think it was a 35mm camera.

 

Self timers were a very popular feature from the early to mid
1930s. But even before that there were timers that you
could attach to the shutter release cable fitting.

It doesn't matter. There were self timers incorporated
in many 1930s rim set Compur shutters which were used
with all sizes of cameras.

Peter.

 

Thank you! I guess we'll have to consider that a self timer was used.

 

There were add on slef timers that connected via the cable release
socket. I used to find them for $1.00 in junk boxes in the late 1960's.

Speaking of cable releases, they existed in the late 19th century,
possibly earlier and you could (and may still be able to) get them
in 20 foot lengths.

Enough for anyone to be in the photograph.

Don't discount the possibility that someone unrelated, such as a friend
or neighbor took it for them.

Geoff.

 

Self timers were on most non-box cameras made
since the late 30's. Those that didn't have them could
take accessory timers, a popular item back then.

Self timers are missing from all [? - I don't know of
one] box cameras and 99.9% of box cameras could not take
an accessory timer.

If the camera opened up with the lens on a bellows then
a self-timer is likely.

And even if the camera had a self timer, there is no
way of telling if it was used for that picture.

Quite possibly the picture was taken by a passer-by or
hanger-on.

 

My dad could take pictures of himself by squeezing the bulb held in his hand
that was attached to a hose that ran all the way to the shutter piston on
the lens of his wooded cut film portrait camera.....