Time Lapse

Jon Fairhurst · May 30th, 2011, 10:08 AM

I use an Aputure AP-TR3C

Aputure Limited - Digital LCD Timer Remote

As I recall, I bought mine through ebay for about $35. To get it to do brackets, you program the duration of the timer's shutter to be long enough to cover three clicks.

Warren Kawamoto · May 30th, 2011, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sterling Youngman

Warren,

There were no clouds. So I can't imagine that was the problem.

-Sterling

Aha! You're right. Seeing that halo around the sun convinced me the sky was full of thin clouds because if I shot the same thing here, there would be no halo.

Jon Fairhurst · May 30th, 2011, 12:20 PM

I believe that effect is due to a combination of diffusion and the brightness oversaturating the sensor. The more you expose, the wider the saturation area.

Sterling Youngman · May 30th, 2011, 01:58 PM

Jon,

When you bracket, the file names are sequential, so if you shoot a new still ever 8 seconds, that's 450 stills (per hour) per exposure level, or 1350 stills in total. How do you get them organized so that all the -2 exposures are grouped together and so forth?

Does my question make sense?

-Sterling

Jon Fairhurst · May 30th, 2011, 03:21 PM

I wrote a Ruby program that does that for me. It's on a different computer, but I can post a link later...

One of the biggest problems with bracketing is that it's a memory hog. For long runs, shooting JPGs might be necessary.

Liam Hall · May 31st, 2011, 02:42 AM

Again, this flickers because you are using the wrong settings. If you used "M" it wouldn't flicker. In 'AV' you are asking the TTL metering to pick the right exposure time in a scene with changing light levels - hence the flicker. You certainly shouldn't start trying to bracket or use 'AV' until you have mastered 'M' mode - all you are doing is wearing out your shutter.

Jon Fairhurst · May 31st, 2011, 08:54 AM

You make a good point, Liam.

First, get perfect timelapses in "M" mode on non-sunset scenes. In fact, start with single photos and really learn to nail the exposure with minimal clipping. (That said, the sun will always clip.)

Also, don't be afraid to use smaller apertures. But note that you will want a pristine sensor and lens to avoid spots and blemishes.

Bracketing is only needed in two cases: 1) sunrise/set, and 2) when you want an HDR effect.

And before shooting timelapse HDR, master single shot HDR.

Liam is right about wearing out the shutter. It's good to make some initial tests to get a feel for timelapse, but the goal is to get 100% "keepers".

Sterling Youngman · May 31st, 2011, 06:00 PM

Folks,

Here's the latest.

I shot it in Manual mode, f22 @ 1/6, ISO 160, with 5 seconds between shots. Also, I shot RAW photos instead of jpegs

It plays back perfectly smooth on my computer. Vimeo tends to stutter sometimes. Once again, I ran out of clouds. It's a Southern California thing!

I put the vignette in.

Cheers,

Sterling

Jon Fairhurst · May 31st, 2011, 06:09 PM

Nice! (Though I see the Vimeo stuttering too, and my PC should easily be able to play it.)

Sterling Youngman · May 31st, 2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon Fairhurst

Nice! (Though I see the Vimeo stuttering too, and my PC should easily be able to play it.)

Just for sh!ts and giggles, you can download it from Vimeo and see if it plays more smoothly.

-Sterling

Jon Fairhurst · May 31st, 2011, 10:00 PM

I downloaded it and it was smooth as can be.

I see that it's 29.97 fps (or so I assume - Windows says 29 fps. Duh.) Try re-rendering it at 24 fps or 23.976 fps to see if Vimeo can play it back smoothly. That will make your timelapses 25% longer for the same number of clicks. :)

Sterling Youngman · May 31st, 2011, 10:14 PM

I found this computer controlled slider that is at a reasonable price. I'm tempted, but I'm not sure if this time lapse thing is just going to be a passing phase for me.

Stage Zero Dolly 6-Foot Complete Kit (Back-Order Deposit) [DP6FK-BODEP] - $447.50 : Dynamic Perception LLC, Open-Source TimeLapse Motion Control Systems

Check out some of their example videos.
I found this product because this guy used it on his latest piece. It's very impressive:

MINDRELIC

Location, location, location!!!!

Cheers,

Sterling

Kenny Hollingsworth · June 23rd, 2011, 09:43 AM

Here is another option for time lapse.

This was done with a Plotwatcher game camera from Day 6 Outdoors - Maker of the Flat-Out Feeder and PlotWatcher HD Time-Lapse Video . This camera films 720p HD time lapse and only costs 149.00.

YouTube - ‪TNTpromo2011.mp4‬&rlm;

May 30th, 2011, 10:08 AM	#16
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Time Lapse I use an Aputure AP-TR3C Aputure Limited - Digital LCD Timer Remote As I recall, I bought mine through ebay for about $35. To get it to do brackets, you program the duration of the timer's shutter to be long enough to cover three clicks. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

May 30th, 2011, 12:20 PM	#18
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Time Lapse I believe that effect is due to a combination of diffusion and the brightness oversaturating the sensor. The more you expose, the wider the saturation area. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

May 30th, 2011, 01:58 PM	#19
Sterling Youngman Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 62	Re: Time Lapse Jon, When you bracket, the file names are sequential, so if you shoot a new still ever 8 seconds, that's 450 stills (per hour) per exposure level, or 1350 stills in total. How do you get them organized so that all the -2 exposures are grouped together and so forth? Does my question make sense? -Sterling __________________ When you get to the end of your rope, you either hang or hang on.

May 30th, 2011, 03:21 PM	#20
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Time Lapse I wrote a Ruby program that does that for me. It's on a different computer, but I can post a link later... One of the biggest problems with bracketing is that it's a memory hog. For long runs, shooting JPGs might be necessary. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

May 31st, 2011, 02:42 AM	#21
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	Re: Time Lapse Again, this flickers because you are using the wrong settings. If you used "M" it wouldn't flicker. In 'AV' you are asking the TTL metering to pick the right exposure time in a scene with changing light levels - hence the flicker. You certainly shouldn't start trying to bracket or use 'AV' until you have mastered 'M' mode - all you are doing is wearing out your shutter. __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

May 31st, 2011, 08:54 AM	#22
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Time Lapse You make a good point, Liam. First, get perfect timelapses in "M" mode on non-sunset scenes. In fact, start with single photos and really learn to nail the exposure with minimal clipping. (That said, the sun will always clip.) Also, don't be afraid to use smaller apertures. But note that you will want a pristine sensor and lens to avoid spots and blemishes. Bracketing is only needed in two cases: 1) sunrise/set, and 2) when you want an HDR effect. And before shooting timelapse HDR, master single shot HDR. Liam is right about wearing out the shutter. It's good to make some initial tests to get a feel for timelapse, but the goal is to get 100% "keepers". __________________ Jon Fairhurst

May 31st, 2011, 06:00 PM	#23
Sterling Youngman Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 62	Re: Time Lapse Folks, Here's the latest. I shot it in Manual mode, f22 @ 1/6, ISO 160, with 5 seconds between shots. Also, I shot RAW photos instead of jpegs It plays back perfectly smooth on my computer. Vimeo tends to stutter sometimes. Once again, I ran out of clouds. It's a Southern California thing! I put the vignette in. Time Lapse 3 on Vimeo Cheers, Sterling __________________ When you get to the end of your rope, you either hang or hang on.

May 31st, 2011, 06:09 PM	#24
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Time Lapse Nice! (Though I see the Vimeo stuttering too, and my PC should easily be able to play it.) __________________ Jon Fairhurst

May 31st, 2011, 10:00 PM	#26
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: Time Lapse I downloaded it and it was smooth as can be. I see that it's 29.97 fps (or so I assume - Windows says 29 fps. Duh.) Try re-rendering it at 24 fps or 23.976 fps to see if Vimeo can play it back smoothly. That will make your timelapses 25% longer for the same number of clicks. :) __________________ Jon Fairhurst

May 31st, 2011, 10:14 PM	#27
Sterling Youngman Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 62	Re: Time Lapse I found this computer controlled slider that is at a reasonable price. I'm tempted, but I'm not sure if this time lapse thing is just going to be a passing phase for me. Stage Zero Dolly 6-Foot Complete Kit (Back-Order Deposit) [DP6FK-BODEP] - $447.50 : Dynamic Perception LLC, Open-Source TimeLapse Motion Control Systems Check out some of their example videos. I found this product because this guy used it on his latest piece. It's very impressive: MINDRELIC Location, location, location!!!! Cheers, Sterling __________________ When you get to the end of your rope, you either hang or hang on.

June 23rd, 2011, 09:43 AM	#28
Kenny Hollingsworth New Boot Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 12	Re: Time Lapse Here is another option for time lapse. This was done with a Plotwatcher game camera from Day 6 Outdoors - Maker of the Flat-Out Feeder and PlotWatcher HD Time-Lapse Video . This camera films 720p HD time lapse and only costs 149.00. YouTube - ‪TNTpromo2011.mp4‬&rlm;