How to make a Timelapse like this with video or only Photo? Settings? at DVinfo.net

Andy Corleone · March 22nd, 2009, 04:15 AM

Hi, I'm interested in do a time lapse like this:

Stock Video Footage: Tokyo Rainbow Bridge - Sharp HD time lapse

but Have a Few Questions:
1) He used Video Camera or Photo Camera? (I think was photo right?)
2) How many shoots Do need to have that look? i meant I assume was at 25fps or is slower? (So for a 10sec Clip I wil need 250 images?)
3) Whihc is the best Speed, Aperture, ISO people recomend for a night shot like this? (I think I read a 5sec shot is a standard trick right?)
4) Which frecuency I have to take one image from the other?

thanks in advace for any coment.

Philipp Straehl · March 28th, 2009, 02:34 PM

I assume it was a video camera, because the boats move very smoothly. But you can get similar results with still cameras or webcams in single frame mode. I was able to create good looking time-lapse footage with 1600x1200 pixel resolution using a webam and a software that captures a frame every 3 seconds. If objects move relatively fast, you must go for 1 fps or 5 fps. For slower moving objects like clouds, one frame at every 3-5 second is enough.

The only difficult part is the automatic white balance and gain settings, which can significantly change after some seconds; the result is flickering. With a webcam, there is this limitation, you have to switch off all automatic settings. With a good still camera however, it may be possible to find a solution for this (I don't own and never owned a good still camera, therefore I don't know).

Here is another good time-lapse footage (I don't know how it is done):
YouTube - Sydney East Suburbs time lapse last of 08

It is in HD, and with Firefox and the appropriate plugin you can download the mp4 (around 80 MB).

EDIT: ah, I just saw that the Tokyo timelapse was made with a Nikon D300. So I was wrong.

March 22nd, 2009, 04:15 AM	#1
Andy Corleone Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London Posts: 27	How to make a Timelapse like this with video or only Photo? Settings? Hi, I'm interested in do a time lapse like this: Stock Video Footage: Tokyo Rainbow Bridge - Sharp HD time lapse but Have a Few Questions: 1) He used Video Camera or Photo Camera? (I think was photo right?) 2) How many shoots Do need to have that look? i meant I assume was at 25fps or is slower? (So for a 10sec Clip I wil need 250 images?) 3) Whihc is the best Speed, Aperture, ISO people recomend for a night shot like this? (I think I read a 5sec shot is a standard trick right?) 4) Which frecuency I have to take one image from the other? thanks in advace for any coment.

March 28th, 2009, 02:34 PM	#2
Philipp Straehl Tourist Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Cavardiras Switzerland Posts: 2	I assume it was a video camera, because the boats move very smoothly. But you can get similar results with still cameras or webcams in single frame mode. I was able to create good looking time-lapse footage with 1600x1200 pixel resolution using a webam and a software that captures a frame every 3 seconds. If objects move relatively fast, you must go for 1 fps or 5 fps. For slower moving objects like clouds, one frame at every 3-5 second is enough. The only difficult part is the automatic white balance and gain settings, which can significantly change after some seconds; the result is flickering. With a webcam, there is this limitation, you have to switch off all automatic settings. With a good still camera however, it may be possible to find a solution for this (I don't own and never owned a good still camera, therefore I don't know). Here is another good time-lapse footage (I don't know how it is done): YouTube - Sydney East Suburbs time lapse last of 08 It is in HD, and with Firefox and the appropriate plugin you can download the mp4 (around 80 MB). EDIT: ah, I just saw that the Tokyo timelapse was made with a Nikon D300. So I was wrong.