Time lapse video- easy solution needed

[jon h]

I have been asked to organise the creation of a time lapse video of a large production project we will be undertaking in the next couple of weeks, for use on a website. Video is not something I have much experience with. Any recommendations on cameras with built in time lapse capability (I see the Go Pro does this). They will need to capture images every couple of minutes over a couple of working days. Also, experiences with cost effective editing software would be appreciated.

[andrwb]

Windows or OSX? I think you can compile the frames using Google Picasa.

[jurbie]

A cheap DSLR with kit lens will do the job, the only issues will be battery life if you can't run it off the mains. Also make sure you use a big enough memory card or that you can at least swap it out at some point. How are you going to mount it? It needs to be out of the way of people who might bump it, move it or just plain steal it.

Editing is very simple, Anything in the Sony Vegas line will do the job which can be bought from about £30 up to £500. Or you could just download the free trial which if this is the only time you're going to use it will be more than adequate.

That's how I do it, I'm sure others have different methods.

Edited to add:

I forgot to mention you'll also need an intervalometer to trigger the DSLR, £20 from Amazon.

Edited by jurbie on Tuesday 22 January 10:52

[Dave 500]

If I was doing it I would get a fully charged car battery and wire a gopro into it that should easily last a few days or plug into the mains of you can. 32gb card will last hours so you won't have to keep changing it.

[Colin RedGriff]

I used one of these for an extension we had built

http://www.wingscapes.com/timelapse-cameras/timela...

Runs on batteries that last a few days.

To compile it I used my mac and the included iPhoto and iMovie software

You can also use ip web cams but they need a power source usually. If you can get an Ethernet cable to the location you can run some of them using Power over Ethernet

[jon h]

Thanks for the info guys. Colin's suggestion looks pretty idiot proof, although the Go Pro appeals with the ulterior motive of having a Go Pro left over after the project!

Jon

[Craikeybaby]

The longest duration you get between shots on a GoPro is 60 seconds and from my testing (GoPro Hero 3 White edition) you get between 3.5 and 4 hours of timelapse images on one battery charge.

With regards to software I use the bundled GoPro software to compile the timelapses.

[V8LM]

If you have a power socket handy you can leave the GoPro plugged in to a USB mains charger and it'll last until the card fills up. You need to consider how quickly you want the time-lapsed video to reply at. Capturing photos every 30 seconds for 24 hours and playing back at 24 fps takes 2880 frames, replays in 2 mintes, and misses but the very slowest action.

[Bobley]

Some of the kids freeze frame animation apps you can buy(free mostly) for android tablets (and I'm sure Apple do the same) let you do time lapse freeze frame. We left my sons Galaxy Tab plugged in for a couple of days and shot watercress sprouting in full HD and exported it as a avi (or mpg I cant remember)for a school project - it was stunning. I think we shot twice per hour?

[crmcatee]

for long term stuff I've used my Contour GPS with a car charger to provide power, lashed up to a car battery. Will last for ages - in fact I've not run one flat yet.