time lapse vs the sun at DVinfo.net

Loren Lewis · April 11th, 2008, 01:01 PM

I just saw a beautiful time lapse clip of a sunset (taken with an HV20 in photo mode), and the clip began while the sun was still bright.

I've ordered an intervalometer and am considering trying to do something like that with my HV20 but I'm concerned that pointing it at the bright sun for any extended period of time could be harmful to the sensor.

Can anyone here address this issue?

Moayad Hassan · April 13th, 2008, 06:17 PM

Since it's been done before then it can't be that bad, can it?

:p

At dusk the sun is not that bright so it won't be harmful to the sensor. If you want to be safe use an ND filter... or at least a UV filter.

David Garvin · April 13th, 2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loren Lewis

I just saw a beautiful time lapse clip of a sunset (taken with an HV20 in photo mode), and the clip began while the sun was still bright.

I've ordered an intervalometer and am considering trying to do something like that

Is there some kind of intravalometer for the HV20? Or are you rigging a mount or something so it will push the photo button?

John Miller · April 13th, 2008, 08:56 PM

Here's a sunrise I recorded in Zanzibar in 1995 with a Video8 camcorder that had next to no manual controls:

http://www.enosoft.net/videos/ZanzibarSunrise.wmv

I just set it on the tripod and let it record...

Loren Lewis · April 13th, 2008, 10:57 PM

Yes. there is a company in Scotland that makes them and will ship to the USA.
The HV20 required a special order via email , but they didn't charge extra and air shipped it the day after I ordered.

I haven't received it yet, but I know of at least one individual who is quite pleased with the one he received.

I believe it works via IR. It's small box that must be attached/aimed at the front of the HV20 via rubber bands/velcro etc.

Chris Coulson · April 14th, 2008, 02:50 AM

Could someone mention what an intravalometer is please?

ahh well, I looked it up, and the 5th link down was this thread! :-)

David Garvin · April 14th, 2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loren Lewis

Yes. there is a company in Scotland that makes them and will ship to the USA.

Can you be more specific?

Loren Lewis · April 14th, 2008, 06:11 PM

Yes..sorry..I should have posted the specifics when you first asked. The URL: http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/
I found their site a bit confusing, but the email exchanges were quick and easy to understand.

For the HV20, you want to order the "gentLED-AUTO" and because it's a special build you need to email them separately and tell them it's to actuate the HV20 photo button.

The special order didn't cost any extra. (38.95 euro = $62.88 US includes shipping).

I ordered mine Wed April 9, and it arrived at my house in Connecticut today at noon (Monday April 14).

It's much smaller and lighter than I expected, easy to hold in place with Velcro, and seems to be working quite well.

Right now it's banging out pictures at the rate of 1 every 3 secs, on my first sunset test.

David Garvin · April 14th, 2008, 08:53 PM

Thanks Loren.

Quote:

Right now it's banging out pictures at the rate of 1 every 3 secs, on my first sunset test

So what kind of timing range can you set? And how do you set it, the pics only show the small box or the led with wires coming out of it. Does the glentLED-AUTO have a dial you can use to set the fps or does it use some other method.

Thanks

Loren Lewis · April 14th, 2008, 10:32 PM

Timing can run from 3 second to 4 min intervals. It came set at 3 seconds and I haven't tried to change it yet. You increase the interval it by turning a small screw on the outside of the box - one turn/second until you reach 20-30 seconds. For longer intervals, you need to open the case, and change a 'link', according to their instructions.

The gentLED-AUTO is just the box. No wires coming out of it or anything else. That was one of the things that confused me also.

Rick Diaz · April 14th, 2008, 11:08 PM

Keep in mind that this device will not eliminate the risk of damage from direct sunlight. The risk comes from the concentration of light by the lens on the inside of the camera, much like when you were a kid burning paper (or ants) with a magnifying glass. With this device the lens guard would be open continuously and the chance of melting something inside the camera with sufficient sunlight is still possible. Although, shooting sunrises/sunsets the risk is minimal since the sun is not at full strength and the light is more indirect and filtered by more of the atmosphere.

Bert Na · April 14th, 2008, 11:13 PM

It sounds like it's acting as a remote triggering device. One question: Are you shooting in video mode or capturing still shots, which is what I suspect you're doing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loren Lewis

...The gentLED-AUTO is just the box. No wires coming out of it or anything else. That was one of the things that confused me also.

Rick Diaz · April 14th, 2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert Na

It sounds like it's acting as a remote triggering device. One question: Are you shooting in video mode or capturing still shots, which is what I suspect you're doing?

From his first post: "I just saw a beautiful time lapse clip of a sunset (taken with an HV20 in photo mode), and the clip began while the sun was still bright."

I'm guessing he's doing the same.

Bert Na · April 15th, 2008, 01:33 AM

Thanks, Rick for pointing out the comment. I find that time lapse videos made from still shots tend to appear jerky unless you can shoot at relatively long exposure times to blur the motion from one frame to the next.

Andrew Davies · April 15th, 2008, 02:17 AM

You need to use something like GBdeflicker which is a plugin for Adobe After Effects.

Andy Davies

April 11th, 2008, 01:01 PM	#1
Loren Lewis New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: vernon, ct. Posts: 18	time lapse vs the sun I just saw a beautiful time lapse clip of a sunset (taken with an HV20 in photo mode), and the clip began while the sun was still bright. I've ordered an intervalometer and am considering trying to do something like that with my HV20 but I'm concerned that pointing it at the bright sun for any extended period of time could be harmful to the sensor. Can anyone here address this issue?

April 14th, 2008, 06:11 PM	#8
Loren Lewis New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: vernon, ct. Posts: 18	Yes..sorry..I should have posted the specifics when you first asked. The URL: http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/ I found their site a bit confusing, but the email exchanges were quick and easy to understand. For the HV20, you want to order the "gentLED-AUTO" and because it's a special build you need to email them separately and tell them it's to actuate the HV20 photo button. The special order didn't cost any extra. (38.95 euro = $62.88 US includes shipping). I ordered mine Wed April 9, and it arrived at my house in Connecticut today at noon (Monday April 14). It's much smaller and lighter than I expected, easy to hold in place with Velcro, and seems to be working quite well. Right now it's banging out pictures at the rate of 1 every 3 secs, on my first sunset test. Last edited by Loren Lewis; April 14th, 2008 at 07:50 PM.

April 13th, 2008, 06:17 PM	#2
Moayad Hassan New Boot Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, UK Posts: 16	Since it's been done before then it can't be that bad, can it? :p At dusk the sun is not that bright so it won't be harmful to the sensor. If you want to be safe use an ND filter... or at least a UV filter.

April 13th, 2008, 08:56 PM	#4
John Miller Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hillsborough, NC, USA Posts: 968	Here's a sunrise I recorded in Zanzibar in 1995 with a Video8 camcorder that had next to no manual controls: http://www.enosoft.net/videos/ZanzibarSunrise.wmv I just set it on the tripod and let it record...

April 13th, 2008, 10:57 PM	#5
Loren Lewis New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: vernon, ct. Posts: 18	Yes. there is a company in Scotland that makes them and will ship to the USA. The HV20 required a special order via email , but they didn't charge extra and air shipped it the day after I ordered. I haven't received it yet, but I know of at least one individual who is quite pleased with the one he received. I believe it works via IR. It's small box that must be attached/aimed at the front of the HV20 via rubber bands/velcro etc.

April 14th, 2008, 02:50 AM	#6
Chris Coulson Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kent, UK Posts: 101	Could someone mention what an intravalometer is please? ahh well, I looked it up, and the 5th link down was this thread! :-)

April 14th, 2008, 10:32 PM	#10
Loren Lewis New Boot Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: vernon, ct. Posts: 18	Timing can run from 3 second to 4 min intervals. It came set at 3 seconds and I haven't tried to change it yet. You increase the interval it by turning a small screw on the outside of the box - one turn/second until you reach 20-30 seconds. For longer intervals, you need to open the case, and change a 'link', according to their instructions. The gentLED-AUTO is just the box. No wires coming out of it or anything else. That was one of the things that confused me also.

April 14th, 2008, 11:08 PM	#11
Rick Diaz Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 146	Keep in mind that this device will not eliminate the risk of damage from direct sunlight. The risk comes from the concentration of light by the lens on the inside of the camera, much like when you were a kid burning paper (or ants) with a magnifying glass. With this device the lens guard would be open continuously and the chance of melting something inside the camera with sufficient sunlight is still possible. Although, shooting sunrises/sunsets the risk is minimal since the sun is not at full strength and the light is more indirect and filtered by more of the atmosphere.

April 15th, 2008, 01:33 AM	#14
Bert Na Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 47	Thanks, Rick for pointing out the comment. I find that time lapse videos made from still shots tend to appear jerky unless you can shoot at relatively long exposure times to blur the motion from one frame to the next.

April 15th, 2008, 02:17 AM	#15
Andrew Davies Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Wales Posts: 104	You need to use something like GBdeflicker which is a plugin for Adobe After Effects. Andy Davies