Time Lapse on the S2?

[ali]

I searched through many websites on time lapse photography but they all talk about electronically controlling the camera through a trigger port or serial port. Even the D100 gets one after adding the battery pack. There is also one company that makes a device for the coolpix cameras. Unfortunately the S2 only has "USB" and "1394" ports which I cannot find a time lapse device for. Does anyone know of a analog time lapse device that screws to a standard shutter release. I know the hyper-utility can but a notebook PC cannot last long enough without AC power if I use it outdoors and I find it a cumbersome and expensive combo.

[jknights]

I'm not sure if this product does what you need.

PocketWizard www.pocketwizard.com

I guess you need something that screws into the S2 shutter release hole on the shutter release.

Not sure if there is an electronic remote shutter release other than the HyperUtility - Remote Firing Software. Anybody know the answer to this ?

[bjnicholls]

The camera shooting software does interval photos.

1-468 shots, intervals of 7 seconds-120 minutes.

You'd need a laptop and enough power to run the intervals while saving files.

[Mike Flood]

Originally posted by bjnicholls
The camera shooting software does interval photos.

1-468 shots, intervals of 7 seconds-120 minutes.

You'd need a laptop and enough power to run the intervals while saving files.

I believe that the number of shots varies depending on the mode you've set (image size) and the avaiable space on the HDD of the PC that's doing the saving. I've mostly used the shooting software to see if it works. I does. I set it up one night to observe the opening of some evening primroses. It was an interesting experiment. I'll do it again some day.
(grin)

[jknights]

Contacted Fuji UK Technical support.

They assured me that there is no apporved way of electronically triggering the S2 except via the HyperUtility software or the manual shutter release.

I have found in my searches some electromechanical devices that would work but would need to be adapted to fit S2.

I think there must be an electronic method of doing it but would require a bit of surgery on the S2. !!! Any brave person want to experiment on thier camera ?

[Swampy]

I'm surprised that no one can find or no one has made a mechanical device to do time lapse for standard cameras. I wouldn't think it'd be all that had to take a shutter release cable, throw a servo, timer and a cheap EEPROM together with a couple of D batteries (and an AC adapter plug of course) to do this. This could turn any camera with shutter release cable compatibility into a time lapse camera. I would say that this could be done in a box about 4"x4"x4" as a hobbyist or if taken to a professional, could probably do it in 1/2-1/4 of that size with higher grade electronics.

I don't think I know anyone that has the time to build something like that. But I bet it could be a money maker.

[bjnicholls]

I haven't seen an electo-mechanical time lapse timer on the market. Having a threaded shutter release button has been rare for modern motorized cameras, so the potential market for such a product has been small. The N80 was the first Nikon in a long while to offer one. Most manufacturers require the use of a dedicated electronic socket for interval timers or a multifunction back. I've seen mechanical self timers...

[jknights]

Swampy,

If you could buid it and then post the info that would be really useful.
I would ccertainly want to have/build one.

Jonathan:)

[jknights]

Ouch !!!

Found a commercial answer but at $600 it looks expensive. I'm sure there must be a cheaper solution.

http://www.kapturegroup.com/leaf/leaf.html

You need the OneShot Cable release Adapter.

==================================
If you want to selfbuild take a look here.

http://www.kwantlen.bc.ca/~darryl/proj98/proj3/proj3.htm#ACK

Seems to be just what is required but so electronics knowledge is required.

[Swampy]

Originally posted by jknights
Ouch !!!

Found a commercial answer but at $600 it looks expensive. I'm sure there must be a cheaper solution.

If you want to selfbuild take a look here.

http://www.kwantlen.bc.ca/~darryl/proj98/proj3/proj3.htm#ACK


So, if I build, how many people want? Not saying that I would. I don't have the time, but my dad, who just retired, it may give him something to keep him busy. He used to work with stepper motors among other things (he designed the flare ejection system for the F-111). Wonder if I could talk him into building it for a price. How much would you pay for it?

[jknights]

I read through the selfbuild item in some detail last night.
I think that it could be done much more simply.
I would guess that a simpler designed system with a simple solenoid activated by a push-to- make switch would be about £15=$25 max.
A more elaborate IR remote trigger could be built for about £30= $50.

Seems like a nice little project for a winter evening. :D

[Chris G]

Though the original poster did not say it was a requirement, wouldn't you want the device to be set up to a timer of sorts so it would work unattended?

[jknights]

I was thinking that if the first proof of Concept worked with a solenoid and a switch, then the switch could be bypassed by jacksocket and links to any of the following :
Interval timer, IR beam controller (breaking beam fires camera), Remote controller (IR or UltraSonic) - like a TV remote control.

All that would be required would be to have a small box with a jack plug that fillted across the switch contact and you have a multi control unit just like the one from the Kapture Group http://www.kapturegroup.com but possibly not so elegant or expensive.