Technical > Digital Imaging Technology > Cheapest DSLR + intervalometer setup?

Cheapest DSLR + intervalometer setup?

Is renting an option for this project? Not sure of the duration; was just thinking a D200-ish rental might be within the budget.

The project will take two weeks. At Canadian rental prices, that's probably more expensive than a new camera.

I've discovered that the D80 also has a built-in intervalometer. That's better than nothing.

reply to Mauricio9
The K10D has one.

Another option is to use the Canon timer remote ($120 ish, I have one) or the Nikon one and solder the correct plug on for an inexpensive SLR like the XT. There are only three wires, it's very easy.

reply to Mauricio9

reply to Mauricio9
I think your best bet is ebay for remote timers. They go for $40 and up. I know the Canon S2IS has a time-laps option, but I don't remember much about the details about it.
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reply to Mauricio9

He doesn't need a self timer, he needs one that will shoot pics at a set time interaval (every min., every hour, etc.) for a set period of time. That's a feature I've not seen listed anywhere on the K10D, so if I'm wrong, please point out where it does this.

I have seen some of these external devices on Ebay in the $75 range for use on a K10D. They were Hong Kong items, so I'd imagine they have them for other brands as well. Whether you feel comfortable going that route is up to you.

You missed the point, and he didn't really say it had to be unattended automated or precisely 3 sec... If you are there the 2 sec auto timer with constant shutter press would come out to about every 3-4 sec.

Or just locked a corded remote (or just shorted cord/plug even) in that mode.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Well, he did, kind of, but in an earlier thread about it. But yeah, a corded remote locked while using the 2-sec. timer may work.

OK having a corded remote ya made me go test it....

Unfortunately while in theory it should work (somethig for next firmwaare upgrade?) it actually doesn't work (doesn't reset and just see the one press)
but could be EASILY implemented likely for either delay, just a electronic reset before it looks for shutter again.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Ah, you're forced to choose between self-timer and remote, right?

No just until the locked remote is released it doesn't see another shutter press, again if it just did an electronic reset... and looked to the rmote status again it would work.

Heck it works in continuous mode just not timer
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

reply to Mauricio9
If you look around you can find used Canon 20d's which can be used with a TC-80N3 remote to do what you want.

Also, my 10D came with "Remote Capture" software which, when installed on my computer and USB cable connected to the camera, had a time lapse feature with ability to adjust intervals and would write the files directly to my hard drive from the camera. If you were able to use a laptop connected to the camera for the entire period and had an external power source for both the camera and laptop, you should be able to let it run for a pretty good while before having to make space for more files (assuming the laptop has a large hard drive).
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reply to Mauricio9
Thanks for all the feedback. If the K10D indeed has one, that may be the way to go - built in IS can be very helpful in archives at times. Working tethered to a computer may be pushing it - space is not expected to be plentiful, and power plugs are gifts from heaven these days.
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If the camera will be outside, or in an enclosure, a camera with weather proofing might prove useful.

reply to Mauricio9
The K10D does not. It was thought that using the 2-sec. timer in conjunction with a remote trigger locked would work, but it does not.

reply to Mauricio9
another older cheaper alternative is a mechanical version.

there are many consumer items from which you could remove a 1 rpm - 10 rpm motor.

then you have three options:

1
arrange a pair of electrical contacts that get closed by the rotation of the motor, wired to any camera with an electronic trigger.
or use 20 electrical contacts around the face of a mechanical clock, each touched by the second hand.

2
add a solenoid and battery to the above contacts to electro-mechanically push any camera's shutter button.

3
or just go all mechanical and use the rotation to mechanically, with levers or a pin on a gear, press any camera's shutter button.

most of the clock motors etc are ac, with a fixed speed, so you might rather have a dc motor and run it at variable speed with a variable-voltage power supply to get an adjustable interval.

reply to Mauricio9
How are you with a soldering iron?
»www.sci.fi/~animato/interval/interval.html