An outdoor redevelopment timelapse at DVinfo.net

Jonathan Shaw · May 24th, 2010, 11:57 PM

Does anyone have any experience with shooting a redevelopment timelapse. I have a client that wants one done over a one year period, I will do it with a DSLR and was thinking to set up a scaffolding tower with cover and a fixed tripod. But obviously I will have to come back to the sit on probably a daily basis, which would be an absolute pain.

Any ideas??

Mike Sims · May 25th, 2010, 07:26 AM

I think your best bet is to go over to Timescapes and search for threads about "deep" (long-term) timelapse.

Alastair Traill · May 25th, 2010, 07:30 AM

Hi Jonathan,

I assume you do not want to leave the camera on site during the redevelopment. In the past I have made up a camera base pair that solved the problem of accurately realigning the camera for each shot. The system consisted of a base plate that was attached to the camera for the duration and a mating plate that was attached to a strategic point also for the duration. One of the plates (usually the camera plate) was fitted with three steel pegs that had rounded tips thus forming a very short tripod. The mating plate had a “V” shaped groove to accommodate two of the rounded pegs. The remaining peg sat on a flat spot of the fixed plate. For preference the groove was parallel to the optical axis of the camera. All the operator had to do was sit the camera with the right two legs in the groove and take the shot(s)

David Chilson · May 26th, 2010, 08:47 PM

I've used this type and with it's solar charger and proper CF/SD cards it will run for months unattended. Problems were you have to be careful it's not baking in the sun and going through large daily temperature and humidity changes. Also one time a bird dropped a bomb that hit right on the glass so having someone at least look at it at a regular interval is good. Depending on where it's mounted there is always the possibility that it will be stolen. There's also some good information the the site if you want to try and build your own. https://www.harbortronics.com/Produc...eLapsePackage/

Jonathan Shaw · May 27th, 2010, 03:15 PM

Thanks guys, great info. Solar power is a great idea. I really am not keen leaving my 7D at the site for that long though. Do you reckon a decent point and shoot in some kind of housing would work. Something like the Panasonic lumix. Can buy interlavometers for point and shoots?

David Chilson · May 31st, 2010, 06:52 AM

Jonathon,
That same site sells electronic interlavometers for point and shoot cameras also and read the article on building a do-it-yourself kit. It's a little dated but still relevant.

May 24th, 2010, 11:57 PM	#1
Jonathan Shaw Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 552	An outdoor redevelopment timelapse Does anyone have any experience with shooting a redevelopment timelapse. I have a client that wants one done over a one year period, I will do it with a DSLR and was thinking to set up a scaffolding tower with cover and a fixed tripod. But obviously I will have to come back to the sit on probably a daily basis, which would be an absolute pain. Any ideas?? __________________ www.ginclearfilm.com www.facebook.com/ginclearfilm

May 26th, 2010, 08:47 PM	#4
David Chilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Walworth, NY Posts: 292	I've used this type and with it's solar charger and proper CF/SD cards it will run for months unattended. Problems were you have to be careful it's not baking in the sun and going through large daily temperature and humidity changes. Also one time a bird dropped a bomb that hit right on the glass so having someone at least look at it at a regular interval is good. Depending on where it's mounted there is always the possibility that it will be stolen. There's also some good information the the site if you want to try and build your own. https://www.harbortronics.com/Produc...eLapsePackage/ __________________ Dave Chilson www.loc.org

May 27th, 2010, 03:15 PM	#5
Jonathan Shaw Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 552	Thanks guys, great info. Solar power is a great idea. I really am not keen leaving my 7D at the site for that long though. Do you reckon a decent point and shoot in some kind of housing would work. Something like the Panasonic lumix. Can buy interlavometers for point and shoots? __________________ www.ginclearfilm.com www.facebook.com/ginclearfilm

May 31st, 2010, 06:52 AM	#6
David Chilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Walworth, NY Posts: 292	Jonathon, That same site sells electronic interlavometers for point and shoot cameras also and read the article on building a do-it-yourself kit. It's a little dated but still relevant. __________________ Dave Chilson www.loc.org

May 25th, 2010, 07:26 AM	#2
Mike Sims Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 880	I think your best bet is to go over to Timescapes and search for threads about "deep" (long-term) timelapse.

May 25th, 2010, 07:30 AM	#3
Alastair Traill Major Player Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 626	Hi Jonathan, I assume you do not want to leave the camera on site during the redevelopment. In the past I have made up a camera base pair that solved the problem of accurately realigning the camera for each shot. The system consisted of a base plate that was attached to the camera for the duration and a mating plate that was attached to a strategic point also for the duration. One of the plates (usually the camera plate) was fitted with three steel pegs that had rounded tips thus forming a very short tripod. The mating plate had a “V” shaped groove to accommodate two of the rounded pegs. The remaining peg sat on a flat spot of the fixed plate. For preference the groove was parallel to the optical axis of the camera. All the operator had to do was sit the camera with the right two legs in the groove and take the shot(s)