DSLR time-lapse package recommendations?

A

AnDyDanDy

Member
I am currently looking to purchase a DSL that I can use to shoot time-lapse.

Right now I am leaning towards Nikon because the D200 is the only DSLR that I know of that can shoot time-lapse without an external intervalometer.

I would, however, like to spend as little as possible… as in around $1500…

Hence, I am also toying with the idea of buying a D40 or D40x and then buying a Pclix LT100 to allow me to shoot time-lapse.

My only problem with this approach is that the $150 price tag of the Pclix LT100 kind of negates part of the purpose of getting a cheaper camera.

Also in terms of lenses I know that flickering due to slight aperture fluctuation can be an issue. Would an older all manual lens be a better solution to this problem or can this problem be fixed otherwise?

any and all equipment recommendations/reviews are welcome
particularly those involving the d200
 
The D200 is a joy to use for time lapse work and it's just a great camera in general. The D40x will only autofocus with AF-S lenses, so that would be pretty limiting in terms of all the great Nikon glass out there. The D200 is compatable with almost every Nikon lens, and also shoots uncompressed raw which will give you extra dynamic range in the highlights. If you can swing the price it's a great machine. Flicker is an issue with certain lenses, but can be removed in post without a big hassle. I don't know that manual lenses are any better, except for "preset" lenses that can be set at a particular aperture permanently (not just stopping down for the exposure). I've used many AF-D lenses without any significant flicker problems, so you might have to experiment.
 
thanks barry,

when shooting timelapse what size and speed card do you use? I assume you are shooting raw at full resolution. also do you use the MB-D200 batterypack or just a single battery?
 
I've usually got an 8 GB card parked in my D200, but I don't come close to filling it because I shoot small JPEGs. Small JPEGS are 1936 X 1296, so they crop nicely to an HD quality image at 1920 X 1080 (1080p). I use the medium quality setting and the image quality is excellent. If I want to do a pseudo tracking or zoom in post I might shoot medium-sized JPEGs. I use the standard battery packs since I can get over 1000 time exposures per pack. I've never needed more than two packs for a night of shooting.
 
thanks barry youve been very helpful.

are you using a lens with an aperture ring?

how do I know if a nikon lens will or will not have one?

sorry for all the questions but aparently you are the authority on d200 timelapse or at least your the only one who wants to talk about it.
 
Some of my lenses haver aperture rings, but it doesn't make a difference for timelapse. With or without (G lenses) aperture rings, the lenses only stop down to the shooting aperture when makinging an exposure. Setting the aperture on the cam or on the lens doesn't affect this.
 
scotman,
if you use the d40 you will need an external intervalometer like the Pclix LT100

if you have or buy a canon there is also the tc-80n3
however, it only works with a specific models
 
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you want to use a camera that is not too expensive, because doing timelapse will put tens of thousands of clicks on your shutter, and most are only rated for about 100,000 exposures. also, what is your end-result resolution goal? if you are looking for 4K, you might have to spend a lot of money on a DLSR, but if you are looking for 2K, buy a used Canon Rebel XT and an intervalometer. you can probably get the body for a couple hundred bucks on ebay.

i have a big thread about DLSR timelapse on this forum.... give it a look.

tom
 
thanks for joining in Tom,

is there any particular reason, besides cost, that makes canon better for timelapse. sure you can use the tc-803 but that requires some modification for the rebel... correct?
 
anybody have any thoughts on using the pentax k110 for timelapse? it is def cheap enough. plus it would allow me to use my old k mount lenses

however, the idea of using AA batteries for long periods of time is a little concerning
 
The D200 is the top standalone solution. Add a mc-36 and vert grip to the D100 and you have another nice setup. Or head towards cannon's external tcn80 and the body of your choice (like the 20D). If you want a cheap solution the optio w10, w20, w30 does 1000 frames with a minumum 10 sec/frame but NO MAUNUAL control.. that's a probelm.

If you can find em. the old epson 3100z is not bad with manual control and it goes down to 5 sec/frame.

If you don't mind being tetherd to a laptop there are tons of options....
 
You will run into trouble if you don't use a lens w/ aperture ring in some situations. That's why i use the 17-35 and 80-200 since they have aperture rings. A lot of the newer lenses, including all the new Canons don't have aperture rings-
The advantage of using my D200 over the HVX is of course the long exposure times(a 6 sec shutter for instance)My HVX on a FS-100 has the advantage of instant playback though...and sound time-lapse!
I did a time-lapse sequence in Times Square- a Mitchell or other movie camera would have attracted a lot of attention- a D200 on a tripod, you sit there and pretend you're waiting for someone, look at your watch...laughs
 
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