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I've always wanted to make time lapse videos, but I don't have a camera with an intervalometer feature built in. In fact, I don't think very many cameras come with such a feature (especially not SLR cameras).
So what do you want to do if you want to make time-lapse videos? You can buy a commercial intervalometer (yeah, right). You can check out some instructables like this one and make one yourself out of electronic components.
But what if you don't have the time/skills necessary to build one? You just want something quick and cheap.
Well, you can actually use a common TI graphing calculator (I don't know of any high school student without one of these) and hook it up to any camera with a remote shutter release socket. It's quite easy, and depending on your camera can require no electronic work at all.
So what do you want to do if you want to make time-lapse videos? You can buy a commercial intervalometer (yeah, right). You can check out some instructables like this one and make one yourself out of electronic components.
But what if you don't have the time/skills necessary to build one? You just want something quick and cheap.
Well, you can actually use a common TI graphing calculator (I don't know of any high school student without one of these) and hook it up to any camera with a remote shutter release socket. It's quite easy, and depending on your camera can require no electronic work at all.
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Signing UpStep 1Parts Needed
Here's a list of parts you need:
A TI graphing calculator - I'm using the TI-83+. I haven't tested my code on any other model, so I can't guarantee it will work.
Camera with remote shutter release socket - I'm using the Canon EOS Rebel. This has a 2.5mm socket that you can use to connect to the calculator. If your camera does not have a 2.5mm shutter release socket, you will need to create some sort of link cable that can connect the two together.
Link Cable - If your camera has a 2.5mm socket, you can use the link cable that should come with your calculator.
A TI graphing calculator - I'm using the TI-83+. I haven't tested my code on any other model, so I can't guarantee it will work.
Camera with remote shutter release socket - I'm using the Canon EOS Rebel. This has a 2.5mm socket that you can use to connect to the calculator. If your camera does not have a 2.5mm shutter release socket, you will need to create some sort of link cable that can connect the two together.
Link Cable - If your camera has a 2.5mm socket, you can use the link cable that should come with your calculator.
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Thanks ahead of time.
I'm about to use it again for a new plane. Helps a lot with illustrating construction techniques for new students.
For(H,1,A,1)
What is H? And if someone has previously set H to represent a number, would it mess up the program?
If you are interested give it a try..
( the % are supposed to be arrows.. the STO key above on/off)
.................................................................................
Disp "START DELAY IN"
Disp" SECONDS"
Prompt A
A*333.3333 % W
Disp "HOW OFTEN IN"
Disp "SECONDS"
Prompt B
B*333.3333 % X
Disp "HOW MANY SHOTS"
Prompt Y
For(H,1,W,1)
End
Send(A)
Y-1 % Y
While Y>0
Y-1%Y
For(H,1,X,1)
End
Send(A)
End
...............................................................................
As you can see from what "solupine" showed.. you need to multiply your delay (seconds) by approx. 333.3333 to get the camera to fire at the right time...
The first delay , is how long till it takes the first shot.
The second delay, is how often between shots
This was done on a TI-83+ , if you try it on other models post it up if it works or not please..
to understand it the best i suggest putting it in as i have it above and running it .. it will explain itself..
I my self do not have the spare time anymore to reprogram it to see if i can get it to work. if anyone out there has any ideas on how to program it please feel free to post it.
Used my Ti-83 and Canon 1000d ( Rebel XS)
Bumping from below------------------
From Luberack (Mar. 10, 2011)
I also used silentfallen's program below. Very nice! I did notice that the timing seemed to be a bit off, so I ran the program at various times in front of a stopwatch. I put the numbers in Excel and got the slope of the linear trendline that tightened up the timing tremendously. Here's the scale factors you should use for the TI-84 Plus (not sure about others):
[note: "%" should be replaced by pressing the "STO>" button.]
A*750.64 % W
B*750.64-704.12 % X
So here's what the whole program will look like:
.................................................................................
Disp "START DELAY IN"
Disp" SECONDS"
Prompt A
A*750.64 % W
Disp "HOW OFTEN IN"
Disp "SECONDS"
Prompt B
B*750.64-704.12 % X
Disp "HOW MANY SHOTS"
Prompt Y
For(H,1,W,1)
End
Send(A)
Y-1 % Y
While Y>0
Y-1%Y
For(H,1,X,1)
End
Send(A)
End
...............................................................................
hit "QUIT" to save and exit programming
1) Turn on your graphing calculator (duh)
2) Press the PRGM key
3) Press the Right arrow twice to highlight the tab at the top titled "New"
4) Press ENTER
5) Enter in a name (I used "Camera")
In the step 6) I Pressed program, but does not appear Prompt . Can anybody Help me.
Thanks,
R.Gil
H and A mean?
Thanks,
R. Gil
I had modify the cable to make it a "cross over" cable. Assuming Tip is #1, Middle is #2 and Base is #3:
1 2 3
X |
1 2 3
So, Tip "crosses over " and connects to the Middle on either side. Base remains a direct connection.
Camera also has to be in Manual Focus mode (usually a switch on the lens).
Otherwise, when triggered the camera will only "half press" the shutter. So you'll hear it autofocusing, but not releasing the shutter. Using the Cross Over Cable and the Manual Focus fixed the problem.
I also used silentfallen's program below. Very nice! I did notice that the timing seemed to be a bit off, so I ran the program at various times in front of a stopwatch. I put the numbers in Excel and got the slope of the linear trendline that tightened up the timing tremendously. Here's the scale factors you should use for the TI-84 Plus (not sure about others):
[note: "%" should be replaced by pressing the "STO>" button.]
A*750.64 % W
B*750.64-704.12 % X
So here's what the whole program will look like:
.................................................................................
Disp "START DELAY IN"
Disp" SECONDS"
Prompt A
A*750.64 % W
Disp "HOW OFTEN IN"
Disp "SECONDS"
Prompt B
B*750.64-704.12 % X
Disp "HOW MANY SHOTS"
Prompt Y
For(H,1,W,1)
End
Send(A)
Y-1 % Y
While Y>0
Y-1%Y
For(H,1,X,1)
End
Send(A)
End
...............................................................................
hit "QUIT" to save and exit programming.
for now my Sony A200 is almost nonresponsive--the menu screen activates, but does not trigger the shutter. should this "cure" this issue?
I use a canon EOS 400D, and a TI-84 plus. the calculator works in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWzgKiOp61Q&feature=player_embedded
I had to install a little program on the calculator, so i can type small letters too. the 2.5-2.5 mm cable fits perfectly, and i typed the code exactly like you guys dit (without the space at 'for(H,1,A,1)') when i attach the cam on the calculator, and i start the program with the codes, it says this:
ERR:SYNTAX
1:Quit
2:Goto
thank you!
hugo
The stuff I did:
- The a55 doesn't have a 2.5mm jack for input. It uses just 3 pins. I got an old PC plug (for fans etc.) which I modified to fit over the pins;
- I identified what the 3 pins from the camera do: connecting 2 makes the camera focus, connecting all 3 takes a shot (just hold them together to try);
- I soldered the two wires that make the camera focus to the thick (the mantle) wire from the 2.5 jack that is connected to the Ti-83 (so 3 wires together). The camera stays focused all the time now;
- Next I soldered the red wire from the 2.5 jack of the Ti-83 to the 'shutter release' wire of the camera;
- The white wire from the 2.5mm from the Ti-83 is unused / has no function.
I also tried with 3 separate wires, but that didn't work. the camera just focused, but wouldn't take a shot.
The only thing I'm worried about now is that the camera is focused all the time. I only use it in manual focus mode, so I hope it won't be to bad :-)
Does anybody know if this could be harmfull??
Going to experiment soon!
The program I used (from the posts below):
Disp "START DELAY IN"
Disp" SECONDS"
Prompt A
A*333.3333 % W
Disp "HOW OFTEN IN"
Disp "SECONDS"
Prompt B
B*333.3333 % X
Disp "HOW MANY SHOTS"
Prompt Y
For(H,1,W,1)
End
Send(A)
Y-1%Y
While Y>0
Y-1%Y
For(H,1,X,1)
End
Send(A)
End
I have input this program into my Ti-89 Titanium and the program runs fine.
http://code.coneybeare.net/make-a-time-lapse-movie-using-a-ti89-calculat
However, my Panasonic G2 will not release the shutter. The port is the "microphone/release" port and the camera asks me to make sure that the mic is power on when i connect the calculator.
Could someone please help out? I am at a complete loss.
I am doing the research now and I cam across this link
http://www.robotroom.com/Macro-Photography-2.html
so what I would assume is the cable needs to match the slight differences that Panasonic made with their cameras mic/remote plug.
unless you figured something else out, I'll let people know how my splice works out.
Using A GH1. so if anyone else got theirs to work let us know.