How to take a photo every X minutes automatically ?

[mcgil]

Hi,

I have some construction projects going and I'd love to find an easy way to shoot a picture every X minutes. My camera is a D50 and I have the tiny remote control. Currently I have the camera on a tripod and I use the remote when I think of it. Is there another solution ?

Here are some of the things I've thought about, can you root for any ?

- firmware modification to add the settings to the camera ? maybe someone did that already ?

- modification of the remote control with extra hardware to press the button at intervals or extra electronics to close the circuit below the button

- software control for the camera ? is there such a thing ? is that free ?

It's a feature I've craved for years, I hope I'm not the only one :)

Thanks,

[David_S85]

What you want is a tethered remote shooting and control utility. This means a computer nearby. Nikon Capture NX software probably came with your camera. If that doesn't have what you want, then I'm sure Nikon has something available. Plug-in?

I don't know my Nikon stuff, but Canon has a time-lapse timer accessory that plugs into a dedicated port on the camera body. Nikon probably offers something similar. These aren't cheap.

[ziggy53]

If you want an "interval" capability, and if you want something already in production, you might shoot these folks an e-mail:

http://maxmax.com/Zigview.htm

If you want a tethered solution, where a computer "captures" an image at certain intervals, use Google and look for the terms:

+Nikon +D50 +interval +capture

You will find quite a few hits, but I haven't used anything for a modern camera, so I can't make any recommendations. You may need to be specific about your computer and operating system.

ziggy53

[ziggy53]

See, Illinois is awake. :D

[wxwax]

Some less expensive cameras have an "intervalometer" built-in.

My Canon G3 does, for instance. Such a camera would be perfect for your needs.

[pathfinder]

Hunters, have wildlife cameras with built in intervalometers also. They mount them to trees along deer runs to identify areaas of deer activity.

Take a gander through the Cabelas deer hunting catalog, or a wander through Gander Mountain and I think you will find something. They are frequently camoflage colored.

I doubt they will cost much more than trying to set up a tethered situation with a laptop at a worksite.

I think the Canon G5 does that as well, Waxy.

[chuckice]

If I'm understanding you correctly then you need the Nikon Camera Control Pro software bundle:
http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=61

[jthomas]

I'm pretty sure the Nikon D200 has a built-in "intervalometer" capability. Of course you have a D50 - so this might tempt you to upgrade. :wink

[Tanuki]

The Mumsford Time Machine (see following link) is another option to the Zigview already mentioned.

https://bmumford.securewebsites.com/OrderCamSecure.html

You might want to do the math and figure out how many exposures will be required for your construction project, i.e., to see if you'll end up wearing out the shutter mechanism on your D50. If so, you might consider using a cheap P&S instead. Wxmax mentioned that the G3 has a built-in intervalometer. I think the G3 is a discontinued model, so perhaps you could find a used one on ebay for cheap.

Mike

[mcgil]

Thanks for all the suggestions !
The Time Machine looks really great, but I think I'll settle for the Nikon software :)