Timelapse with the D7000 at DVinfo.net

Marcus Martell · February 28th, 2011, 06:48 AM

Hola guys,
i was looking to find a Timelapse solution for the d7000.
could you drive me?
thx

Arnie Schlissel · February 28th, 2011, 12:56 PM

First check the camera's menus. Some Nikons have the feature built in. If not, does it have a 10 pin connector? Nikon makes a timer remote that will do timelapse. If not, then look at some of these:

https://www.harbortronics.com/
Pclix LT Introduction
Dynamic Perception LLC, Open-Source TimeLapse Motion Control Systems

Eric Pascarelli · February 28th, 2011, 07:00 PM

The D7000 has a built in intervalometer, just like Nikon's pro cameras.

Go to the menus and to the camera icon, then scroll to "Interval Timer Shooting"

This uses the stills function of the camera rather than the video function, so after the time lapse is shot, these stills will have to be chained together to form a movie. Since the stills are pretty big files, this will take a bit of time to render, downres etc. in the software of your choice.

You can use compositing software to do this, like After Effects, Shake, Nuke, or it can be done in Final Cut Pro with a bit of fudging. There are many other software choices for Mac and PC that I'm not mentioning (you could use the old Quicktime Pro 7, for example).

Alternately, if your time period is 20 minutes or less, you can just shoot a video clip and speed it up in any editing program. You can also shoot a series of clips, if you can hang out by the camera and restart every 20 minutes, and edit them together and speed the whole thing up.

Marcus Martell · March 1st, 2011, 03:35 PM

Eric thanks 4 the advice!
I was thinking to shoot a picture every 2 seconds then open as image sequence in Vegas, what do you think? The timelapse of 20 minutes is very small so i guess at least 50 minutes BUT question:
Any issue with the shutter with a picture every 2 seconds?Somebody told me that could overheat or encounter mechanical issues....
Thx for the help

Eric Pascarelli · March 1st, 2011, 06:27 PM

Shooting stills every 2 seconds will not overheat the sensor. It's only in live view or video recording where that possibility exists. I've left my D7000, D700, D2X clicking time lapse for very long periods with no ill effects.

Shooting tons of time lapse with any still camera is not advisable because the shutter will eventually wear out (though I'm sure the D7000 will probably go much more than the rated 150,000 cycles, and even so, shutter replacement is not all that expensive). Still cameras really weren't designed for lots of time lapse, but occasional use is fine.

I've never used Vegas, but I'm sure there's a way to string together the stills.

Marcus Martell · April 16th, 2011, 03:25 PM

thx a lt Eric!
WHat's a good interval to shoot timelapse? How many seconds 2-3 or 5 for a timelapse of 40-50?
Other question: What kind of setting should i use for the picture that will be thrown on a video timeline?
My project are hdv 1920 x1080

thx mateeee

February 28th, 2011, 06:48 AM	#1
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Timelapse with the D7000 Hola guys, i was looking to find a Timelapse solution for the d7000. could you drive me? thx

February 28th, 2011, 12:56 PM	#2
Arnie Schlissel Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York NY Posts: 322	Re: Timelapse with the D7000 First check the camera's menus. Some Nikons have the feature built in. If not, does it have a 10 pin connector? Nikon makes a timer remote that will do timelapse. If not, then look at some of these: https://www.harbortronics.com/ Pclix LT Introduction Dynamic Perception LLC, Open-Source TimeLapse Motion Control Systems __________________ Post production is not an afterthought! www.arniepix.com

February 28th, 2011, 07:00 PM	#3
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	Re: Timelapse with the D7000 The D7000 has a built in intervalometer, just like Nikon's pro cameras. Go to the menus and to the camera icon, then scroll to "Interval Timer Shooting" This uses the stills function of the camera rather than the video function, so after the time lapse is shot, these stills will have to be chained together to form a movie. Since the stills are pretty big files, this will take a bit of time to render, downres etc. in the software of your choice. You can use compositing software to do this, like After Effects, Shake, Nuke, or it can be done in Final Cut Pro with a bit of fudging. There are many other software choices for Mac and PC that I'm not mentioning (you could use the old Quicktime Pro 7, for example). Alternately, if your time period is 20 minutes or less, you can just shoot a video clip and speed it up in any editing program. You can also shoot a series of clips, if you can hang out by the camera and restart every 20 minutes, and edit them together and speed the whole thing up.

March 1st, 2011, 03:35 PM	#4
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Re: Timelapse with the D7000 Eric thanks 4 the advice! I was thinking to shoot a picture every 2 seconds then open as image sequence in Vegas, what do you think? The timelapse of 20 minutes is very small so i guess at least 50 minutes BUT question: Any issue with the shutter with a picture every 2 seconds?Somebody told me that could overheat or encounter mechanical issues.... Thx for the help

March 1st, 2011, 06:27 PM	#5
Eric Pascarelli Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 498	Re: Timelapse with the D7000 Shooting stills every 2 seconds will not overheat the sensor. It's only in live view or video recording where that possibility exists. I've left my D7000, D700, D2X clicking time lapse for very long periods with no ill effects. Shooting tons of time lapse with any still camera is not advisable because the shutter will eventually wear out (though I'm sure the D7000 will probably go much more than the rated 150,000 cycles, and even so, shutter replacement is not all that expensive). Still cameras really weren't designed for lots of time lapse, but occasional use is fine. I've never used Vegas, but I'm sure there's a way to string together the stills.

April 16th, 2011, 03:25 PM	#6
Marcus Martell Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spain Posts: 1,202	Re: Timelapse with the D7000 thx a lt Eric! WHat's a good interval to shoot timelapse? How many seconds 2-3 or 5 for a timelapse of 40-50? Other question: What kind of setting should i use for the picture that will be thrown on a video timeline? My project are hdv 1920 x1080 thx mateeee