Nikon Z8 interval timer recording issue

[RobinGood]

Hi,

I am having problems with the interval timer on my Z8's, and hope someone can help.

I use the interval timer a lot, and have been doing so multiple times for the last few days, shooting the aurora borealis. Yesterday one of my cameras started the interval (240x1), then stopped after one frame, showing 239x1 on the top display, and then there is an interval symbol flashing on the display. It didn't seem right so I stopped, and sure enough, only one photo and been taken.

I swapped out to my second body, and this worked fine for the first sequence, until I adjusted the interval time, and I got the same issue. I now can't get the timer to record at all.

One thing I have noticed is there is an end day/time box at the bottom which has tomorrows date on it, so I don't know if it is on some sort of delay? The start day time however is set to now and shows the correct time.

There are no error messages (as you get if it won't shoot I a particular release mode), it starts the interval, but only shoots one frame, then a timer display flashes. The shutter speed displayed also changes from the 5" I had set (with a 6" interval) to 10", it's bizarre.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can get the timer working again? Both cameras haven't liked having the interval duration changed for some reason, and Ive never experienced this before. Thanks.

 

[RobinGood]

I should also add that the 'end time' displaying is +24 hours, minus the 6" interval. So it's as if the camera wants to wait nearly 24 hours before starting the sequence.

 

[PLShutterbug]

I should also add that the 'end time' displaying is +24 hours, minus the 6" interval. So it's as if the camera wants to wait nearly 24 hours before starting the sequence.

The camera may be doing long exposure noise reduction. If so, then since you have a 5” exposure and a 6” repeat interval, the camera can never finish the NR before it is supposed to start the next exposure.

Try turning NR off, then try a test interval.

I always test this myself: in my office I will set up a five-shot interval and then experiment until I know I have things working. Then I know that the interval will work in the wild.

Be sure to let us know how you solve this - you will be helping the next person that way.