Reading mode: Light Dark

how to take time lapse shots

Go to last post
S

sthapit

New member
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Location
Miami Beach, US
Is is possible to set the camera to take pictures after a certain interval for a certain amount of time? For example I want to take time lapse photos every 5 minutes for a few hours.
 
There is a tool called an intervalometer (sp?) that does exactly what you are looking for. snaps a picture every so many seconds to minutes.

some of the better remotes can also be used as an intervalometer.
 
sthapit said:
Is is possible to set the camera to take pictures after a certain interval for a certain amount of time? For example I want to take time lapse photos every 5 minutes for a few hours.
Click to expand...
The EOS Utility can do this, if you don't mind being tethered to a computer.
--
Yogi

When you get down to the nuts and bolts of photography, the results depend on the 'nut' behind the camera!

See the 'Plan' in my 'Profile' for my current equipment.
 
There is another recent thread asking about remotes. There are two companies building aftermarket devices that attach to the camwra and allow you to take a picture every x seconds, minutes or hours.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1031&message=33335327

I'm unsure which to buy - has anyone used one of these?

I think this is the best based on th elittle bit of info/reviews online (YongNuo - I think it's the same company as Phottix):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Timer-Remote-Cord-for-Canon-400D-450D-Kiss-X-Rebel-XTi_W0QQitemZ350140146111QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera_Camcorder_Remotes?hash=item5185faa1bf

Aputure brand - one guy somewhere online said it's cheaply made:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Aputure-Timer-Remote-for-Canon-300D-450D-350D-500D-NEW_W0QQitemZ110446965677QQcategoryZ43443QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63

Looks a bit different than most (but is very similar to YongNuo - probably is also theirs) - have not seen this one elsewhere on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Timer-Remote-control-switch-For-Canon-RS-60E3-450D-G10_W0QQitemZ260483913075QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca60d1573
 
The amazon unit looks exactly like the YongNuo unit. It's a bit large. The JJC timer is a nicer size (yet still uses AAA), but it seems to be a smaller company and peopel complain about the "shtter lock" (whatevere that is) beng hard to operate.
 
I use a Nikon P&S (P5000) for time lapse, but it's slowest rate is 30s, so the movies are too fast. It also will shoot full res pics, which works really well for shots 3 feet from the bird feeder. I might get a wireless remote and the wired timer/intervalometer. There are quite a few different wireless remotes on ebay. 2.4ghz units are out - they send a signal from the Rx to the Tx so you can see that you have a good connection. They are $40-50. 433mhz will probably be fine ($20). I would use the remote for bird shots at the feeder, but really, intervolometer is a lot easier - just leave the camera there for 2 hours and come back later to see what you get. I'm unsure though if the XSi's ridiculously loud shutter will scare all the birds away!
 
I have not done it, but you use the software that came with the camera and you connect a computer to the camera via USB. Once you find the correct software, it's probably easy to figure out.
sthapit said:
This might be my best option since I'm in Nepal for a few months and won't be able to buy external remotes and gadgets.

Can someone tell me how to do this using my laptop? (I don't mind being tethered to a computer at all).
sthapit said:
The EOS Utility can do this, if you don't mind being tethered to a computer.
--
Yogi
Click to expand...
--
http://www.sodne.com/sthapit
Click to expand...
 
yowza! got it. it was under my nose the whole time. just popped in the CD the camera came with (i usually don't bother installing extra software that comes with any electronics that i buy) and installed EOS utility and it works like a charm. thanks for the all the help.
CNY_AP said:
I have not done it, but you use the software that came with the camera and you connect a computer to the camera via USB. Once you find the correct software, it's probably easy to figure out.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.sodne.com/sthapit
 
Battery grip for the XSi doubles battery life. For my 5D2, it already has an amazingly long duration battery. I don't yet have a grip for it, but I practice quick changes for both the battery and CF card. It introduces a several-frame gap in the sequence, but its not highly noticeable. Nothing more to do about it anyway. Just be sure to start with a fully charged battery and have a charged spare ready to go.

I've bought a couple of 16GB cards now, and will get a 32GB card when prices come down.
--
Dan
 
The JJC unit also has an off switch. However, you lose your settings and have to reenter them when you turn it back on. On the other hand, the other units seem to go for months and months without draining the batteries. I use eneloop rechargeable batteries and just recharge them every three months or so.
--
Dan
 
My workflow is to download to the PC, use Lightroom to batch process (identical exposure, white balance, sharpening, etc.), croping to a 16:9 ratio for HD output, and then outputting as JPEG at either 720p or 1080p resolution as desired. Creating the JPEGs is by far the most time consuming step, it can take several hours for several thousand frames.

The individual JPEGs are then merged into an avi file format with virtualDub. Quicktime pro and other programs can do the job, but the deflicker and other filters in virtualDub are really handy. Deflickering is an essential step, even if you shoot manual, there is apparently enough frame-to-frame variation in the mechanical actuation of the aperture diaphragm that you will get brightness variations. An old manual iris lens would avoid this problem, but the deflickering filters work well enough that that seems unnecessary.

At that point you have an actual video. For more sophisticated production, adding titles, sound track, scene transitions, etc. I am using Adobe Premiere Elements. I have many issues with the s/w but it works ok in the end. Many people like Sony Vegas Studio, it sounds like a better program, but I've never used it.

One big issue is getting the file "container" format (.avi, .mov, etc.) and codec set up right. Its very confusing, there are no universal standards and I still don't feel like I have a good handle on that. It depends in large part on what your ultimate media use is to be - PC display, web display on youtube or Vimeo, iPodl, DVD, Blue Ray or whatever. Its a big mess really.
--
Dan
 
Thanks for the replies. I have CS3 but have mostly only used Phooshop. I need to get off my butt and order the JJC or Yongnuo timer, and maybe a RF remote as well for the heck of it.
 
I ordered the Yongnuo timer for $32 and a Yongnuo 433mhz remote (model YN-126 - the 200 meter version) for $23.

Did you wear out your mirror or shutter from taking so many shots for your movies?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top