Automated exposure control for time lapse photography

[Ecks]

I'm looking to do some time lapse photography that will take place outdoors in the early morning hours when light intensity from the sun is increasing quickly. In order to avoid underexposing the first images or overexposing the last, I'm looking for a way to vary my shutter speeds throughout the shoot. Rather than sitting there with a stopwatch and flicking knobs by hand (which could move the camera), I'd like to pre-program a schedule of exposure levels. Does anyone know of any PC-based software that could do the trick?

 

[Big Mike]

You could leave the camera in one of the auto modes (anything but manual). That would automatically adjust the exposure. If you want to vary the shutter speeds, then just use aperture priority mode.

 

[pdq5oh]

That seems the best way to me. I'd think you'd only want to adjust shutter speed as aperture would change DOF. So aperture priority.

 

[Ecks]

It may come to that, but I'm worried that using an auto mode will cause flickering issues in the video.

 

[Helen B]

TimeLord?

Regards,
Helen

 

[analog.universe]

Using auto anything for a timelapse will cause undesirable flickering in the final video without question. Controlling it through software is probably ideal...

I've even tried adjusting it manually, and even the exposure jump from 1/50 to 1/60 was really obvious and unsightly on the final video as well. Maybe a variable neutral density filter? That way you get a continuous control instead of stops?

 

[Overread16 4]

That looks really good Helen - though I notice in its compatibility section that it only works with Nikon DSLRs and not any other brand. Great for Nikon shooters, but I'd wonder if there are any similar setups for canon shooters that anyone knows of

 

[Timoris]

I may be wrong, but, For Canon, you do have advanced wired shutter releases. You can program how many pictures you want, length, etc. Great for Astrophotography, I suppose it can be used for such a purpose too.

Canon TC-80N3 Wired Shutter Release
Basically an Interval Meter.

 

[Ecks]

Thanks Helen, Timelord pretty much fits the bill for exactly what I was looking for. Good thing I have a Nikon anyway. Analog.universe, I think your neurtral density filter suggestion would work well too. As long as I know what image number shutter speed changed on, I can smooth the "bump" by filtering images right before and after the change in exposure.

 

[Garbz]

The exposure will only take a massive flicker if the contrast changes suddenly. If however you are sure your subject is in the full shade for the duration of the timelapse, or you put a diffuser above it then you won't get any flickr, just changes in colour as the light changes.