Q. So i am 15 dont really have much money, and i was looking to get into time lapses. I have bee looking at hd video camcorders (professional grade, no best buy stuff), but i see that most people use large cameras with the interchangable lenses. Loking to get something in the 200-700 dollar range
A. Time lapse photography consists of of taking hundreds/thousands of photos and combining them in a video editor.
So you need both a camera and video software.
There are not that many cameras that can do time-lapse, especially in the compact camera range. A few that do are the Nikon P310, P330, P7700.
As well, some video cameras can also do time lapse, such as some GoPro Hero and Sony Action Cam. However, these cameras may or may not be suitable to your needs as they often have lens/optic issues preventing them from doing anything but the main job they were designed for.
Also, a few mirrorless cameras have this function - Nikon 1 does for instance.
And some DSLRs also have time-lapse functions. However, this is usually the mid-range cameras as not many entry level DSLRs have this function.
However, there is a 3rd party product on the market called an Intervalometer, which is basically a timer for time lapse. This will allow virtually any DSLR having a wired remote (with the proper cable) to be controlled for time lapse.
Realize though that not all DSLRs have wired remote capability. Some only have wireless (IR) remote - especially entry level DSLRs. At this time, there are not commercially available wireless remote intervalometers (although some people have built their own).
For instance, for some strange reason, the Nikon D3000 has a wireless but not wired remote capability. The Nikon D3100/D3200 has a wired, but not wireless remote capability.
Once you get your camera, you basically set it up on a tripod and select the number of photos you want, and the duration between photos. The best duration depends on the effect you wan to achieve. For instance, if you are looking for active scenes; people walking, etc. The best rate will be 10sec or less. But for scenery; clouds, etc. a 30sec~1min rate is better.
Realize though that some cameras - those with built-in timers - have a restriction as to the minimum duration you can have. This is because if you take too many photos too quickly, you might overheat the camera, and it can shut down. While you do not have this restriction with a 3rd party intervalometer, you could still shut the camera down by overheating.
Further, interval shooting uses up a lot of battery. You may want to consider an AC powered solution for the camera if you want to take a lengthy time-lapse movie. Virtually all Nikon cameras that have an interval timer can be AC powered with the addition of an expensive adapter ($100 or so).
Finally, with time lapse, you don't have to use the most resolution on your camera. You can cut down the resolution a lot, as video will mask many defects anyway, so the resolution often can be turned down. Turning down the resolution not only reduces battery usage (smaller files to write), but it also results in more manageable file sizes when it comes to combining the photos.
And when you have your entire stack of photos, you must combine them. If you have Windows, you can use Windows Movie Maker, or if you have a MAC, iMovie will work (they are both included free with your OS). However, they are restricted to about 10 frames per second, and for time lapse, you will want closer to 20 frames per second, which might mean you will have to buy a better video editor. But WMM or iMovie will at least get you started.
Here is a sample of one of the first time lapses I did with a Nikon P7000 compact camera (with a built in time lapse function) and processed in Windows Movie Maker. You can see that it is a bit jerky, due to the maximum 10 frames per second Windows Movie Maker is capable of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZiivbVASrw&list=UUcxUAeQlPzZR8KLHAJL8Mrw&index=16
The "later that day" part of the video was when I had to change batteries. An AC powered adapter would have helped here.
So you need both a camera and video software.
There are not that many cameras that can do time-lapse, especially in the compact camera range. A few that do are the Nikon P310, P330, P7700.
As well, some video cameras can also do time lapse, such as some GoPro Hero and Sony Action Cam. However, these cameras may or may not be suitable to your needs as they often have lens/optic issues preventing them from doing anything but the main job they were designed for.
Also, a few mirrorless cameras have this function - Nikon 1 does for instance.
And some DSLRs also have time-lapse functions. However, this is usually the mid-range cameras as not many entry level DSLRs have this function.
However, there is a 3rd party product on the market called an Intervalometer, which is basically a timer for time lapse. This will allow virtually any DSLR having a wired remote (with the proper cable) to be controlled for time lapse.
Realize though that not all DSLRs have wired remote capability. Some only have wireless (IR) remote - especially entry level DSLRs. At this time, there are not commercially available wireless remote intervalometers (although some people have built their own).
For instance, for some strange reason, the Nikon D3000 has a wireless but not wired remote capability. The Nikon D3100/D3200 has a wired, but not wireless remote capability.
Once you get your camera, you basically set it up on a tripod and select the number of photos you want, and the duration between photos. The best duration depends on the effect you wan to achieve. For instance, if you are looking for active scenes; people walking, etc. The best rate will be 10sec or less. But for scenery; clouds, etc. a 30sec~1min rate is better.
Realize though that some cameras - those with built-in timers - have a restriction as to the minimum duration you can have. This is because if you take too many photos too quickly, you might overheat the camera, and it can shut down. While you do not have this restriction with a 3rd party intervalometer, you could still shut the camera down by overheating.
Further, interval shooting uses up a lot of battery. You may want to consider an AC powered solution for the camera if you want to take a lengthy time-lapse movie. Virtually all Nikon cameras that have an interval timer can be AC powered with the addition of an expensive adapter ($100 or so).
Finally, with time lapse, you don't have to use the most resolution on your camera. You can cut down the resolution a lot, as video will mask many defects anyway, so the resolution often can be turned down. Turning down the resolution not only reduces battery usage (smaller files to write), but it also results in more manageable file sizes when it comes to combining the photos.
And when you have your entire stack of photos, you must combine them. If you have Windows, you can use Windows Movie Maker, or if you have a MAC, iMovie will work (they are both included free with your OS). However, they are restricted to about 10 frames per second, and for time lapse, you will want closer to 20 frames per second, which might mean you will have to buy a better video editor. But WMM or iMovie will at least get you started.
Here is a sample of one of the first time lapses I did with a Nikon P7000 compact camera (with a built in time lapse function) and processed in Windows Movie Maker. You can see that it is a bit jerky, due to the maximum 10 frames per second Windows Movie Maker is capable of.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZiivbVASrw&list=UUcxUAeQlPzZR8KLHAJL8Mrw&index=16
The "later that day" part of the video was when I had to change batteries. An AC powered adapter would have helped here.
What is the best digital professional video camera for my budget?
Q. I'm an amateur film maker and will be making my first full length documentary soon. Me and four friends are traveling the country making and selling music and art, to explain in detail would take far too long.
My budgets is under 1000 dollars. The camera must be 1080p, and digital. I've searched and searched and I haven't found the video camera that's right for me. I need the camera to have sharp image, good zoom, and be good enough for a documentary to look great. The budget also will include batteries, sd cards, and lighting also a tripod.
Any help is appreciated. Please help me!
Thanks.
My budgets is under 1000 dollars. The camera must be 1080p, and digital. I've searched and searched and I haven't found the video camera that's right for me. I need the camera to have sharp image, good zoom, and be good enough for a documentary to look great. The budget also will include batteries, sd cards, and lighting also a tripod.
Any help is appreciated. Please help me!
Thanks.
A. My definition of "professional video camera":
Lens filter diameter 65mm - preferably larger. 72mm is common.
Imaging chip 3CCD or 3CMOA array 1/3" or larger or APS-C sized single imaging chip.
XLR connectors for external mic connectivity.
If your definition of "professional video camera" is different from mine, please tell us your definition...
The least expensive camcorders - of which I am aware - that meets these requirements are:
Sony HVR-Z5
Sony NEX EA50UH
Canon XF300
The Z5 and XF300 have a fixed lens, so there is no additional expense. The NEX EA50UH comes with an e-mount lens, so there is no additional expense. A decent tripod will be in the $200 range.
A battery comes with each of the above - an additional, high capacity, rechargeable, battery from the camcorder manufacturer is strongly recommended. Budget $150. SD cards are inexpensive, but figure $80 for a couple of 32 gig high-speed class 10 cards. Video lighting from an ED video light for $200 or a more complex set up for $2,000 or more. We can stay with the low end... You forgot external mics... assume $300 - there is no single best mic - and we have not budgeted for anything wireless. Just these accessories came up to over $700. That means you have less than $300 for your camcorder. This is the entry level for consumer-grade camcorders. Like the Canon HF R400 (add in a XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek for XLR mics).
What you *want* does not exist - and this may be the reason you cannot find what you *want*. You have a choice: Increase your budget or decrease your requirements.
And we have not event looked into a computer upgrade for storage and editing of the captured video. A decent video editor - Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut... among others - costs and takes time to learn to use.
Lens filter diameter 65mm - preferably larger. 72mm is common.
Imaging chip 3CCD or 3CMOA array 1/3" or larger or APS-C sized single imaging chip.
XLR connectors for external mic connectivity.
If your definition of "professional video camera" is different from mine, please tell us your definition...
The least expensive camcorders - of which I am aware - that meets these requirements are:
Sony HVR-Z5
Sony NEX EA50UH
Canon XF300
The Z5 and XF300 have a fixed lens, so there is no additional expense. The NEX EA50UH comes with an e-mount lens, so there is no additional expense. A decent tripod will be in the $200 range.
A battery comes with each of the above - an additional, high capacity, rechargeable, battery from the camcorder manufacturer is strongly recommended. Budget $150. SD cards are inexpensive, but figure $80 for a couple of 32 gig high-speed class 10 cards. Video lighting from an ED video light for $200 or a more complex set up for $2,000 or more. We can stay with the low end... You forgot external mics... assume $300 - there is no single best mic - and we have not budgeted for anything wireless. Just these accessories came up to over $700. That means you have less than $300 for your camcorder. This is the entry level for consumer-grade camcorders. Like the Canon HF R400 (add in a XLR adapter from juicedLink or BeachTek for XLR mics).
What you *want* does not exist - and this may be the reason you cannot find what you *want*. You have a choice: Increase your budget or decrease your requirements.
And we have not event looked into a computer upgrade for storage and editing of the captured video. A decent video editor - Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut... among others - costs and takes time to learn to use.
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