4 ms·

Can you configure the camera to take photos till you stop it, or do you have to buy an external device that connects the camera for this?

dylan604 6y ago
The device you are looking for is called an intervalometer. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and prices. Each camera manufacturer uses a different connector as well as different connectors from the same maker, so you have to make sure you get the right one. Some cameras have one built-in (or can run hacked firmware to use one). The advantage is no external device needed. There's also software you can run on a laptop connected to the camera that will not only control the camera but also save the image directly to the computer. Lots of ways to skin the cat.
dheera 6y ago
I use modified camera firmware to do this. With certain Canon camera models you can load Magic Lantern, an open source alternative firmware -- it includes intervalometer out of the box, and you can also write your own plugins and run scripts on the camera. (Separately: In general hackability is the #1 priority in deciding what gear I buy.)
- dylan604 6y ago
  For those playing along at home, be aware that the intervalometer from Magic Lantern has some issues with it depending on which camera body you are using. First, you cannot reliably shoot a timelapse with an interval of less than 5 seconds. This is something the ML tells you, and it is a known issue. If you try it, it will not take images at regular intervals as expected. It is very inconsistent by skipping one, double snapping on the next one, and other weird things. With a wired external intervalometer, I have no issues taking 1 second intervals. That is pretty much the only thing that I have found about ML that I don't like. Everything else about it makes my camera a much better system. ETTR is my fave!
  - dheera 6y ago
    Ah yes. For astrophotography it isn't an issue though since each exposure is typically at least 15 or 30 if not more seconds. It is admittedly hard to get the intervalometer to switch off though, often it keeps restarting itself after several restarts of the camera but eventually gives up.

dylan604 6y ago

The device you are looking for is called an intervalometer. They come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and prices. Each camera manufacturer uses a different connector as well as different connectors from the same maker, so you have to make sure you get the right one. Some cameras have one built-in (or can run hacked firmware to use one). The advantage is no external device needed. There's also software you can run on a laptop connected to the camera that will not only control the camera but also save the image directly to the computer. Lots of ways to skin the cat.

dheera 6y ago

I use modified camera firmware to do this. With certain Canon camera models you can load Magic Lantern, an open source alternative firmware -- it includes intervalometer out of the box, and you can also write your own plugins and run scripts on the camera. (Separately: In general hackability is the #1 priority in deciding what gear I buy.)

dylan604 6y ago
For those playing along at home, be aware that the intervalometer from Magic Lantern has some issues with it depending on which camera body you are using. First, you cannot reliably shoot a timelapse with an interval of less than 5 seconds. This is something the ML tells you, and it is a known issue. If you try it, it will not take images at regular intervals as expected. It is very inconsistent by skipping one, double snapping on the next one, and other weird things. With a wired external intervalometer, I have no issues taking 1 second intervals. That is pretty much the only thing that I have found about ML that I don't like. Everything else about it makes my camera a much better system. ETTR is my fave!
- dheera 6y ago
  Ah yes. For astrophotography it isn't an issue though since each exposure is typically at least 15 or 30 if not more seconds. It is admittedly hard to get the intervalometer to switch off though, often it keeps restarting itself after several restarts of the camera but eventually gives up.