Time Lapse Camera Selection

Hi,

I am planning on a capture of 8 hour event using time-lapse images. I am thinking I will need about 2 MP resolution for a decent video (perhaps HD). I still need to do some testing but I will capture 1 images somewhere between every 1-5 seconds. this will give me 6000 - 29000 images for the whole event.

I am thinking I have three options for camera;

1. Use my Canon XTi with low resolution option set. This will give me the best images possible as I can set everything to manual for consistancy. The only problem I have with this is that I don't know how to make battery last for 8 hours with this many captures. I have additional batteries but I really don't want to move the camera during capture. Also, that's a lot of click on my expensive (at least for me) SLR.

2. Buy a P&S camera for this purpose. There are two problems with this approach. I will have extremely limited configuration options with this camera option, and I still don't know how to provide long-term power ( 8 hours and thousands captures).

3. Buy and use a 2 MP webcam. This option probably gives me the lowest quality image with extremely limited configuration option. But, this is the cheapest solution and I don't have to worry about providing power for a long time as it will draw from the laptop.

In all three cases, I will be attaching a laptop to collect all of the images as they are being taken.

I already have some software that should with for all of the options above.

Thank you any recommendations (sorry about the long post).

I think you're biggest concern would be battery life.

And you also mentioned using manual mode. What if the lighting is changing non stop?
How about TV or AV mode?

Baadil wrote in post #6172528
Hi,

I am planning on a capture of 8 hour event using time-lapse images. I am thinking I will need about 2 MP resolution for a decent video (perhaps HD). I still need to do some testing but I will capture 1 images somewhere between every 1-5 seconds. this will give me 6000 - 29000 images for the whole event.

I am thinking I have three options for camera;

1. Use my Canon XTi with low resolution option set. This will give me the best images possible as I can set everything to manual for consistancy. The only problem I have with this is that I don't know how to make battery last for 8 hours with this many captures. I have additional batteries but I really don't want to move the camera during capture. Also, that's a lot of click on my expensive (at least for me) SLR.

2. Buy a P&S camera for this purpose. There are two problems with this approach. I will have extremely limited configuration options with this camera option, and I still don't know how to provide long-term power ( 8 hours and thousands captures).

3. Buy and use a 2 MP webcam. This option probably gives me the lowest quality image with extremely limited configuration option. But, this is the cheapest solution and I don't have to worry about providing power for a long time as it will draw from the laptop.

In all three cases, I will be attaching a laptop to collect all of the images as they are being taken.

I already have some software that should with for all of the options above.

Thank you any recommendations (sorry about the long post).

how much money do you have available for the setup?

AC adapter would solve the battery problem. Not sure whether they are available as is for your SLR, or if you also need the battery grip to enable them - starts to get expensive then.

Wazza wrote in post #6172540
I think you're biggest concern would be battery life.

And you also mentioned using manual mode. What if the lighting is changing non stop?
How about TV or AV mode?

It is indoors so I don't expect the lighting to change much. Are you recommending I use my SLR? TV/AV are only available on my SLR in the options I listed.

eror11 wrote in post #6172548
how much money do you have available for the setup?

I would say < US$500

mrklaw wrote in post #6172596
AC adapter would solve the battery problem. Not sure whether they are available as is for your SLR, or if you also need the battery grip to enable them - starts to get expensive then.

hmmm, it seems you are also recommending I use SLR. Assuming, I can find A/C adapter, is it a good idea for my to add Up to 30K shutters on my SLR? I am not sure their life so don't know if that would bring my camera close to it's death bed.

Thanks.

Are you being paid for these photo's?

rebecca12 wrote in post #6172703
Are you being paid for these photo's?

Not a dime

!

What is actually happening? Like will there be plenty of change? Construction of an event?

Maybe shoot once a minute to cut down the actuations.
I would shoot SLR myself, as more reliable. Don't worry about shutter count. Could go anytime. My 20D broke at 64,500.. And my 1D probably well past that by now!

Wazza wrote in post #6172745
!

What is actually happening? Like will there be plenty of change? Construction of an event?

Maybe shoot once a minute to cut down the actuations.
I would shoot SLR myself, as more reliable. Don't worry about shutter count. Could go anytime. My 20D broke at 64,500.. And my 1D probably well past that by now!

It is a wedding. I would like to capture the whol event. I think once a minute will probably not be enough. If I do one images every 5 seconds, that is about 6 minutes of video for 8 hours of captures running at 15 frames/sec. For better results, I may have to for for once every second.

If I kill my SLR, it will blow my budget away, hehe.

So you're just a guest? Or been asked by a friend to do some photos?

Maybe if you've got a remote release, and you're seated somewhere with the camera pointing down, just choose your moments to release the shots

Although you mentioned making a HD movie out of all the images..

Wazza wrote in post #6172825
So you're just a guest? Or been asked by a friend to do some photos?

Maybe if you've got a remote release, and you're seated somewhere with the camera pointing down, just choose your moments to release the shots

Although you mentioned making a HD movie out of all the images..

My brother's wedding so I want to capture the whole thing along with setup of the venue etc. Regular photographs will be taken by the wedding photog, I just want a birds eyeview of the whole event. Yes, I will be making a video of these shots.