Time lapse problems

alexlyons

Tried my first time lapse today. note the two operative words, "tried" and "first"

One major problem I have is the camera seems to be moving on its own. It was on a tripod hooked up to my mac which was set to take the images at 20 second intervals, so it wasn't touched. It was either the wind, and it wasn't windy really, or more likely, the mirror moving for each shot. I'm using a D90. I'm aware now, Ii wasn't earlier, that there is an exposure delay setting so any movement from the mirror should die down before the shot is taken. But this wouldn't really solve my problem (if its the mirror) as the mirror would still be moving for each shot.

Have a look and see what you think. Any feedback on it at all would be great, but I'm mainly looking for insight on the movement. Focus on the rocks on the left to really notice it.

Killiney Bay Time Lapse

ThOnda

For me it looks the the autofocus was on and camera refocused before taking each shot. And most of the lenses change the focal length a tiny bit during focusing.
Manual focus (even using a bit of masking tape on the focusing ring) and manual exposure mode are your best friends right after the tripod and remote shutter release (in your case in form of laptop).

Slidinginfinity

I had this problem the frist time I tried TL with my D90.
Thonda hit the nail on the head, Auto-focus.

mrmac

Highly recommend having a look at this youtube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/milapse

You'll also find useful info at www.timescapes.org

Also, I don't know what lens you where using, but I'd recommend to use a manual lense, and have the aperature locked wide open.

alexlyons

ThOnda wrote: »

For me it looks the the autofocus was on and camera refocused before taking each shot. And most of the lenses change the focal length a tiny bit during focusing.
Manual focus (even using a bit of masking tape on the focusing ring) and manual exposure mode are your best friends right after the tripod and remote shutter release (in your case in form of laptop).

I looked at it again and you seem to correct. If you look at the left and the bottom, they both move inwards, which is in line with adjusting the foal length. A movement by the mirror or wind would see the same shift at all areas.

mrmac wrote: »

Highly recommend having a look at this youtube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/milapse

You'll also find useful info at www.timescapes.org

Also, I don't know what lens you where using, but I'd recommend to use a manual lense, and have the aperature locked wide open.

Thanks for the links, I'll have a look later on when I get back home. I'm using the kit 18-105. I'll flick everything over to manual next time and see how I get on. There were a few settings over on manual but I didn't do them all, my bad.

Thanks for the help.

sineadw

Manual *everything*!

Movie won't load for me. Stupid Apple...

Slidinginfinity

I have done a couple with that same lens. I found turning off the VR (with the camera on a tripod) helped with consistency.

pixbyjohn

is there a mirror up facility on the D90 ?

Slidinginfinity

pixbyjohn wrote: »

is there a mirror up facility on the D90 ?

I wish! Afar as I can tell, the mirror lock up is for sensor cleaning and the shutter won't fire while engaged.
I could be wrong, but I don't think so, read the manual and searched the interwebs for info.

alexlyons

sineadw wrote: »

Manual *everything*!

Ye it'll be full manual from now on.

sineadw wrote: »

Stupid Apple...

Don't insult the gods!! :P

Slidinginfinity wrote: »

I have done a couple with that same lens. I found turning off the VR (with the camera on a tripod) helped with consistency.

Thanks for that, I'll give it a go without VR. Might even posts the results here!

pixbyjohn wrote: »

is there a mirror up facility on the D90 ?

Nope, the closest thing is exposure delay which resets the shutter after each photo, not what we want here!

sineadw

alexlyons wrote: »

Might even posts the results here!

Do! You shouldn't need mirror lock or anything. I've never used it. You using an intervalometer?

Edit - I see you're using a mac for timing.

(fights... urge.. to say... that's the problem...)

alexlyons

sineadw wrote: »

Do! You shouldn't need mirror lock or anything. I've never used it. You using an intervalometer?

will do! I think the auto focus was the issue on that one. I'm using my mac at the minute. I'm gonna get an intervalometer soon, there's one for the D90 for €25 plus a few quid shipping on ebay!