madpaddler Loc: Near Seattle, Washington

I own a Canon 6DmkII which has a built-in interval timer. I have never used this feature until now. My daughter-in-law wanted some family photos for Christmas cards and asked me to take them. I set up the camera’s interval timer for 20 seconds so I could get in the photo. When I pressed the shutter release it fired intimately and did not fire 20 seconds later. I finial set the interval timer to shot two (2) shots. That way the first one was when I pressed the shutter released and the second one was 20 seconds later as I expected it to do. That got me out of the doghouse.

So, my question is this the way this function is designed to work, or do I have a defective camera?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

For the usage you described, instead use the Self-timer at page 159. The 10-second timer releases the shutter 10secs after pressing.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

There's nothing wrong with your camera. It's operating correctly.

The problem is the nut behind the camera who is using it incorrectly!

Interval timers are used to make time lapse photographs: A series of however many shots you choose, at whatever length of interval you wish between those shots (some limits, I'm sure, check your manual). When you only key in the interval but not a number of shots to take, it will simply take one shot in the manner you described... No second shot scheduled, so no interval. As soon as you set up two shots you got both the immediate shot, then another shot 20 seconds later. One interval. If, for example, you had dialed in 180 shots, it would keep taking shots every 20 seconds for the next hour until all 180 had been taken. This is useful to make time lapse of things like a flower opening up in the sun or a chick emerging from an egg... etc. Anything you wish. Some people have even done time lapse over months or even years, say of the change of seasons or of a construction project.

I agree with CHg_Canon's response.... Interval timer is not the correct tool to use for what you were doing. The shutter release delay or "self-timer" would be a better choice and can be set for a short (2 or 3 second) or long (10 sec) delay. Usually that's enough time to get into the shot yourself.

Another solution is an accessory that can be used with many Canon cameras: A low cost wireless (IR) remote that can trip the shutter from the front of the camera. The Canon RC-6 costs $24, has a range of about 15 feet, is very small, simple in operation and can be used to trip the shutter either instantly or with a 2 sec delay. I checked and it's compatible with your 6D Mark II. I bought a used RC-6 some time ago for something like $10 or $15. There are also cheaper, similar third party remotes such as the Vello Selfie that only costs $8 new. I don't know if that particular Vello release is compatible with 6D Mark II... If not, there is probably another model or other 3rd party brand of small wireless remote releases that is. There are also much more expensive, much more powerful radio releases that can be used from considerably farther away... but are probably way more than you need.

madpaddler Loc: Near Seattle, Washington

Yes, the 10 second timer works but I could not move fast enought to get in the photo. what I need to know is the interval timer working the way it was designed, or is that part of the software Malfunctioning?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If 10 seconds is too short, get a remote trigger release.

Page 267 discusses the interval timer. It would seem your planned usage of every 20 seconds, say with '00' for unlimited shots until you force the stop, would work too. Now that the 'rush' to get the shot is gone, visit the manual and confirm how / if this function operates on your EOS body as described in the documentation.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

My RP can have the shutter release tripped by my cell phone. (If you download the app)

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

Every Thanksgiving we have family come in from TN, and part of the tradition is to take a yearly family photo, same people in the same spot in the yard. The day before they arrive I set up the camera and take some test shots.

This year I found that old age has caught up with me, and I was not able to get myself into the shot within the 10 second window. lol!

I've got a remote shutter release someplace, but rather than try to find it decided to try the interval timer on my 5DIV. Set it to twenty shots with a two second interval. Did that twice.

That turned out to be a good idea, as after I explained to the family what was happening everybody got into it with funny poses, etc, at two seconds apart. And after culling out the obvious duds was left with a set that the family members could choose from for prints.

The entire set was put up on Flickr for the family to see:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/78687170@N00/51710541096/in/album-72157720238111330/


Marshall

Photocraig

OR: Select an younger still spry participant to lightly touch the shutter button and get back into the front row.

If your camera has the Wi-Fi capability, the Canon App available for IPhone and Android solves teh problem without any out of pocket expenditure.