Time lapse on a Z1u at DVinfo.net

Arthur Woodle · April 19th, 2008, 09:53 PM

Hey forgive me if this has been addressed before, I scoured the previous posts and did not find anything that fully answered my question. Question is...what is the best way to do time lapse with a Z1u. I know there is not a in camera solution like some other Sony models. So unless someone knows a better solution, I thought maybe use my Nikon D80 and use a DigiSnap 2000 from http://www.harbortronics.com/ to capture stills and import into FCP. I keep seeing these beautiful time lapse sequences and want some results with nice production value..any help is welcome!

James Brill · April 20th, 2008, 04:56 PM

I am a newb when it comes to time lapse but if it came down to being able to do it with a Z1 or a D80 I would certainly take the nikon which will give you a way nicer picture.

Side note I wonder how the GOP of HDV would work when time lapse is involved, every frame is an I frame?

Aric Mannion · April 22nd, 2008, 01:42 PM

Are you asking if you should use a video camera instead of a photo camera? Still cameras are better than video cameras for time lapses.

Arthur Woodle · April 23rd, 2008, 09:52 AM

Thats what I thought, I just seems so easy to use a in camera solution. I imagine the quality is going to be so much better using a digital still. Thanks for the imput.

Aric Mannion · April 23rd, 2008, 12:12 PM

Yeah the quality will be better, and the other reason is your video will take up space on your hard drive even though you intend for it all to be sped up, and much shorter.
I do shoot timelapses with my HDV camera though, there's nothing wrong with that! I would say you should set your render to apple pro res in final cut, if you were to shoot HDV. Because rendering an effect on HDV footage can potentially lower the quality, because HDV is mpeg2 and re-compresses your video when it renders.

David Tindale · April 26th, 2008, 01:39 AM

There is another option if you have a laptop and the memory, a piece of software called Capture Magic. It comes in SD and HD versions, plug your camera in, select the interval that you want to record and away you go. You can trial the software for 14 days, just go to
www.bigmugsoftware.com

Arthur Woodle · April 30th, 2008, 01:08 PM

I thought ablout that but if you are out in the elements it might not be safe (delicate laptop, power supply rain) I would be OK in a controlled environment though

April 19th, 2008, 09:53 PM	#1
Arthur Woodle Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 32	Time lapse on a Z1u Hey forgive me if this has been addressed before, I scoured the previous posts and did not find anything that fully answered my question. Question is...what is the best way to do time lapse with a Z1u. I know there is not a in camera solution like some other Sony models. So unless someone knows a better solution, I thought maybe use my Nikon D80 and use a DigiSnap 2000 from http://www.harbortronics.com/ to capture stills and import into FCP. I keep seeing these beautiful time lapse sequences and want some results with nice production value..any help is welcome!

April 20th, 2008, 04:56 PM	#2
James Brill Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Goleta, CA Posts: 299	I am a newb when it comes to time lapse but if it came down to being able to do it with a Z1 or a D80 I would certainly take the nikon which will give you a way nicer picture. Side note I wonder how the GOP of HDV would work when time lapse is involved, every frame is an I frame?

April 22nd, 2008, 01:42 PM	#3
Aric Mannion Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 616	Are you asking if you should use a video camera instead of a photo camera? Still cameras are better than video cameras for time lapses.

April 23rd, 2008, 09:52 AM	#4
Arthur Woodle Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 32	Thats what I thought, I just seems so easy to use a in camera solution. I imagine the quality is going to be so much better using a digital still. Thanks for the imput.

April 23rd, 2008, 12:12 PM	#5
Aric Mannion Major Player Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 616	Yeah the quality will be better, and the other reason is your video will take up space on your hard drive even though you intend for it all to be sped up, and much shorter. I do shoot timelapses with my HDV camera though, there's nothing wrong with that! I would say you should set your render to apple pro res in final cut, if you were to shoot HDV. Because rendering an effect on HDV footage can potentially lower the quality, because HDV is mpeg2 and re-compresses your video when it renders.

April 26th, 2008, 01:39 AM	#6
David Tindale Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lismore, New South Wales Posts: 31	There is another option if you have a laptop and the memory, a piece of software called Capture Magic. It comes in SD and HD versions, plug your camera in, select the interval that you want to record and away you go. You can trial the software for 14 days, just go to www.bigmugsoftware.com

April 30th, 2008, 01:08 PM	#7
Arthur Woodle Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 32	I thought ablout that but if you are out in the elements it might not be safe (delicate laptop, power supply rain) I would be OK in a controlled environment though