Camera Simple Remote Control of Exposure

[Stagecoach]

I have started dabbling in Time-lapse and I'm considering using remote control so as not have to touch the camera when in the field. Whilst I have programmes I could easily use on my laptop tethered to the camera I'm wanting something far simpler and easier to carry around.

The only control/monitoring functions I need will be;

a) The ability to adjust Aperture, Speed and ISO.
b) The ability to monitor the cameras meter reading (similar to the exposure +/- bar in the viewfinder).

Whilst I'm aware of such units as the Cam Ranger ideally I would prefer something that can be tethered and is not wireless and susceptible to interference. It's also got to be able to last for a minimum of two hours battery wise.

I do not have a smart phone but I have got a Samsung Galaxy Tab3 Tablet and wonder if this can be utilised. Have to admit I do not keep up with technology these day

Has anyone got any ideas of a simple way to achieve what I need?

[george013]

I have started dabbling in Time-lapse and I'm considering using remote control so as not have to touch the camera when in the field. Whilst I have programmes I could easily use on my laptop tethered to the camera I'm wanting something far simpler and easier to carry around.

The only control/monitoring functions I need will be;

a) The ability to adjust Aperture, Speed and ISO.
b) The ability to monitor the cameras meter reading (similar to the exposure +/- bar in the viewfinder).

Whilst I'm aware of such units as the Cam Ranger ideally I would prefer something that can be tethered and is not wireless and susceptible to interference. It's also got to be able to last for a minimum of two hours battery wise.

I do not have a smart phone but I have got a Samsung Galaxy Tab3 Tablet and wonder if this can be utilised. Have to admit I do not keep up with technology these day

Has anyone got any ideas of a simple way to achieve what I need?

I don't understand. Do you want to change the settings while recording?

George

[Stagecoach]

I don't understand. Do you want to change the settings while recording?

George

Yes.

I also need to be able to monitor what exposure the camera is measuring.

[george013]

I've been playing with time laps a few times. It's fun. In my case I locked everything, focus and exposure.
If you want to correct the exposure based on what has been shot during the recording, you're always 1 step behind.

George

[Stagecoach]

I've been playing with time laps a few times. It's fun. In my case I locked everything, focus and exposure.
If you want to correct the exposure based on what has been shot during the recording, you're always 1 step behind.

George

You can't lock exposure if you are undertaking 'Holy Grail' (day to night/night to day) time lapses George.

Fixed exposure works if you're lighting conditions are constant.

[george013]

You can't lock exposure if you are undertaking 'Holy Grail' (day to night/night to day) time lapses George.

Fixed exposure works if you're lighting conditions are constant.

I had to find out what 'Holy Grail' would mean. Now I understand what you're up to.
Curious for the result.

George

[Hevii Guy]

I use qDslrDashboard to control a plethora of functions on my Nikon from either my Android tablet or from my Android shoe fone. I do this either via a simple USB tether cord (not an outrageously-priced orange version so loved by the fanboys ) or wirelessly using the same components which the Cam Ranger "re-packagers" use - albeit at a fraction of their price.

Furthermore, not only do I have control over my camera from my Android devices but I also have the same functionality from my Mac box.

Here are the links:
tethered option - https://dslrdashboard.info/introduction/
wireless option - https://petapixel.com/2016/07/14/wir...-dslr-less-40/

[Stagecoach]

I use qDslrDashboard to control a plethora of functions on my Nikon from either my Android tablet or from my Android shoe fone. I do this either via a simple USB tether cord (not an outrageously-priced orange version so loved by the fanboys ) or wirelessly using the same components which the Cam Ranger "re-packagers" use - albeit at a fraction of their price.

Furthermore, not only do I have control over my camera from my Android devices but I also have the same functionality from my Mac box.

Here are the links:
tethered option - https://dslrdashboard.info/introduction/
wireless option - https://petapixel.com/2016/07/14/wir...-dslr-less-40/

Thank you for that Jorg, I'll have a look through the info.

[Manfred M]

There is always the "brute force" method where I set the camera up to bracket shots over a period and use a fairly basic external controller to take the shots over an interval. With lots of space on a memory card, I simply throw away the shots I don't need and use the ones that have worked.

I use a Vello Shutterboss that plugs into the camera's control port when I shoot this way. This may be too limiting for what you are trying to do, but for the stuff I do, it is ideal.

[george013]

There is always the "brute force" method where I set the camera up to bracket shots over a period and use a fairly basic external controller to take the shots over an interval. With lots of space on a memory card, I simply throw away the shots I don't need and use the ones that have worked.

I use a Vello Shutterboss that plugs into the camera's control port when I shoot this way. This may be too limiting for what you are trying to do, but for the stuff I do, it is ideal.

I believe a time laps function with or without bracketing is standard in the Nikon.

George

[Manfred M]

I believe a time laps function with or without bracketing is standard in the Nikon.

George

It depends on the camera model George. The D810 is far more talented that way than the D800 was. That being said the external control is more flexible and lets me see what is going on without having to touch the camera. I can make some changes in the way things are recorded (longer intervals between shots, for instance) and I can see where I am on the Shutterboss display. The camera is limited to a maximum exposure of 30 seconds, so if I want to exceed that, I cannot use the internal functions.

Seeing what is happening without touching the camera is critical when I am trying to take shots over a period of several hours.

[rpcrowe]

Grahame...

I forgot what camera you shoot with. However with my Canon 6D Mark-2, I can either select a locked in exposure or have the camera adjust the exposure as the light changes.

There are pros and cons to each method.

Here is a short video on Holy Grail Timelapse with the Canon 6D Mark-2...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdIhL1CGSEA

Here is a selection of Holy Grail timelapse videos on YouTube both for the 6D2 and for other cameras...

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...Rail+Timelapse

If I were to go completely Sony mirrorless in my gear, I would still keep my Canon 6D Mark-2. It has some functions that are not available or not as easily available with other cameras. The 4K timelapse is one and another is the excellent focus and shoot capability using the articulating LCD Monitor. I have never done focus stacking sequences in an easier way...

I am thinking that combining the 4K timelapse capability of the 6D2 with the standard speed 4K capability of my A6500 could result in a nice product

[Stagecoach]

I use a Vello Shutterboss that plugs into the camera's control port when I shoot this way. This may be too limiting for what you are trying to do, but for the stuff I do, it is ideal.

That's certainly too limiting Manfred, adjusting exposure parameters is not possible with it.

It depends on the camera model George. The D810 is far more talented that way than the D800 was.

The D810 as opposed to the D800 has the additional option of 'Exposure Smoothing' which is very useful in certain circumstances. Fortunately, this is easy to do with available programmes.

[Stagecoach]

Grahame...

I forgot what camera you shoot with. However with my Canon 6D Mark-2, I can either select a locked in exposure or have the camera adjust the exposure as the light changes.

There are pros and cons to each method.

Here is a short video on Holy Grail Timelapse with the Canon 6D Mark-2...

I can do similar with the D800 Richard but from all I have learnt to date it appears manual intervention gets you the best results. I have been experimenting with auto exposure and manual exposure control and am using LRTimelapse as he mentions in the video for processing.

[Manfred M]

That's certainly too limiting Manfred, adjusting exposure parameters is not possible with it.

I think it depends on how many variables one wants to change. When I do a complex or timed shot, I do not adjust the aperture setting as I don't want the DoF to change, nor do I change the ISO as I tend to shoot at base ISO or close to it. This suggests the only thing I change will be the shutter speed, so do doing exposure by changing the shutter speed is all I end up working with.

[Stagecoach]

I think it depends on how many variables one wants to change.

Exactly. That's why I had mentioned the kit I'm after must be able to adjust A/S/ISO.

When I do a complex or timed shot, I do not adjust the aperture setting as I don't want the DoF to change, nor do I change the ISO as I tend to shoot at base ISO or close to it. This suggests the only thing I change will be the shutter speed, so do doing exposure by changing the shutter speed is all I end up working with.

It comes down to the requirements of what you are doing. If you are shooting from daylight to darkness remaining on base ISO or close to it will not work when you need to consider movement such as minimising star trails.

[Manfred M]

It comes down to the requirements of what you are doing. If you are shooting from daylight to darkness remaining on base ISO or close to it will not work when you need to consider movement such as minimising star trails.

The limitations on star trails makes sense. Exposure time is going to limit what you can do.

I use the technique I described for doing time blend images where I shoot from then beginning of Golden Hour through to the end of Blue Hour, but I am only looking for 3 -5 images in total

[Stagecoach]

I use qDslrDashboard to control a plethora of functions on my Nikon from either my Android tablet or from my Android shoe fone. I do this either via a simple USB tether cord (not an outrageously-priced orange version so loved by the fanboys ) or wirelessly using the same components which the Cam Ranger "re-packagers" use - albeit at a fraction of their price.

Furthermore, not only do I have control over my camera from my Android devices but I also have the same functionality from my Mac box.

Here are the links:
tethered option - https://dslrdashboard.info/introduction/
wireless option - https://petapixel.com/2016/07/14/wir...-dslr-less-40/

Update.......................

That's exactly what I needed Jorg.

I have downloaded the dashboard to my PC at present and now have it working with both cameras, D800 and D300 after a few hicups.

What's great is that it's specifically compatible with LR Timelapse and able to control the ramping

Next to see if I can get the Android version on the tablet

Many thanks.

[Hevii Guy]

You're very welcome, Grahame. I'm very happy that I was able to help.

Looking forward to seeing some of your 'flicker-free' time lapses!