Time Lapse for Construction-Need Help

[larryz22]

I'm involved with a client who would like to show a time lapse video of a roof being installed on a building. According to him, this should take about 1 week of construction.

I basically have to capture 8 - 10 hours of construction per day. I have two 64 GB cards and will be recording this in 4:3 Squeeze, so I will have enough space on the cards each day.

I've only done some tests with interval time recording, but never used it for a project like this.

What would a good interval time be for recording this all day for 7 days?

Thanks for your help!

Larry

 

[Erik Olson]

What is the desired resulting footage run-time?

 

[j]

Google is your friend. There are formulas online that will calculate out what you want to know.

There is a factor you have left out of the equation though: How long do you want the final timelapse video be? You need to know that.

Also, I'd strongly recommend using a still camera with an intervalometer function.

 

[larryz22]

I'm figuring total time to be around 2 minutes 30 seconds

 

[j]

Here, let me google that for you...

http://www.time-science.com/timescience/timelapse.asp#calculator

First hit for "online time lapse calculator"

 

[Erik Olson]

Based on 60 frames per hour (1 per minute) and 24 hour-per-day coverage for five working days, I get 7200 images / 30fps = 240 seconds or 4 minutes TRT.

 

[larryz22]

Thanks for your help with the calculations and the web link! I have a Canon XS and I purchased an intervalometer. I also have the the HVX-200. Any suggestions on which one to use? Is the still camera better than the video camera or vice-versa?

 

[Erik Olson]

A still camera is going to give you the most information and better control for exposure. Philip has some very good advice in this article.

 

[larryz22]

Good info. It looks like the still camera is the way to go. Being that this is my first time, it's time to do some tests! Thanks for your help!

 

[Erik Olson]

For a couple bills, you can add a few degrees of movement within the shot using a Meade telescope mount - lots of fun stuff to do with timelapse!

 

[j]

That's a bit advanced. I'd keep it simple for the first rodeo.

Time lapse is all about coulda shoulda woulda. The simpler the shoot the more likely success.

I'd do several test runs at your house before you do the shoot for real.

Where is the camera going to live during the shoot and how is it going to get power?

 

[larryz22]

I'm meeting with the client tomorrow to look at the location. I do have power at the location, so that's not an issue. I've done tests with the HVX, but not the Rebel. I will be doing those tests over the next few days.