Suggestion on miniDV camcorder with time lapse option...

[andkiich]

I want to get something with a time lapse option. Anyone have any suggestions for me?

I would prefer not breaking the bank, but at this point I'll take any suggestions as my web searches have not been very fruitful.

Thanks.

[upshot]

If you find one I'd be interested too... At the moment I use my Pentax Optio 430 for time lapse... It has an interval timer (one shot every 30sec up to 60min). It also can do it in movie mode but they are only 240x320 (or some thing in that range). My only complaint is I wish I could go below 30sec/frame....

You could always record on LP and get max length tapes (somwhere around 2 hrs. IIRC) and compress the time in an editor... This is something I've been meaning to experiment with if I ever jump on a DV camera... As it is I have plenty of fun with my Pentax...

[andkiich]

I'm trying to keep my purchases down to a minimum at this point, Christmas is very draining on the finances.

I was thinking of getting one of the time lapse VCR type items, but I would still need a camera of some type, so I figure I might be able to get away with something that can fill multiple purposes.

[thecoalman]

Canon GL2 has that option, pricey though. I haven't used it yet. Here's a link to some stuff I posted, maybe I'll do ice cube melting or something soon and post it.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=242782

[Richard_G]

I've got 2 old Sony VX700e camcorders and they can do it. They can be set to record 0.2, 0.5, 1 or 2 seconds worth of video every 30 seconds, 1, 5 or 10 minutes. This will continue until you have filled up a 1 hour tape.

The Sony VX1000 had the same feature so I assume the later 2000 and 2100 retained it. However, we are talking semi-pro type equipment here so it isn't going to be cheap. See if you can find a consumer type camcorder that can do it or look for a second hand VX700 or 1000.

[andkiich]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into those and see what I can find.

[junkmalle]

A webcam might suit your time-lapse needs.

[upshot]

Damn.. I like that Cannon DL2!! thanks for the heads up!

But once again you can only go down to an interval of 30 sec. (doh!) I've found from lot's of experimentation that things in nature get interesting around and below 30 sec./frame...

[thecoalman]

Damn.. I like that Cannon DL2!! thanks for the heads up!

But once again you can only go down to an interval of 30 sec. (doh!) I've found from lot's of experimentation that things in nature get interesting around and below 30 sec./frame...

Like i said I didn't use it yet, now that you mention 30 seconds is the minimum amount, the other choices are 1,5 or 10 minutes and it will only record 2 seconds of footage. So you can only get 60 frames...... not very long. Guess it wouldn't matter you could just reset it after the last frame was shot, be off a few seconds but guess it wouldn't matter that much.

[Richard_G]

If you want a shorter interval than 30 seconds, the Sonys also have a Cut Recording feature. Put the camcorder on a tripod, set it for Cut Record and every time you hit the record button (they recommend using the remote so you don't wobble the camcorder about) it records 0.2 seconds worth of video. Ideal for faster moving slow things, or making your own cartoons where waiting 30 seconds between each shot is going to be too long.

I'm not biased by the way, I've only ever used Sony camcorders (I currently use a Digital8 DCR-TR8000e and the pair of MiniDV DCR-VX700e) and have never had any problems with any of them. For that reason, I've never bothered looking at anything by any other manufacturer.