Timelapse Cheatsheet

Because I had some request how I make my timelapse's and what are the ideal settings are, I made this little cheatsheet a couple month's before. But I think this could be interesting for other photographers too - so here it is. Below the blog post there is also a download button for the PDF version. 

Timelapse Cheatsheet

Before the shoot (at home):

  • Check your batteries (all fully loaded)
  • Check your memory cards (formatted and empty)
  • Check that your camera shoots RAW instead of JPEG
  • Check the position of the sun / moon over your shoot period at the location
  • Packing list:
    • Camera
    • Lenses
    • Batteries
    • Memory cards (keep in mind that you will take about 1000 images per timelapse; image size = megapixels * 1.1MB)
    • Tripod + Head (If it is windy try to use a heavy one or if your tripod has a centre column hook bring some weight with you)
    • If you are in urban environment (to small space for a tripod) you can also use a flexible tripod
    • Filters (ND / CPL)
    • [Motion controller] (Slider, Batteries, Cables)
    • Lens cleaning tools
    • Intervalometer (if you don’t want or have an integrated one; always use one over wire if possible)
    • Something to drink and eat
    • Something to read/watch or someone to talk
    • If rain is expected bring rain protection for you and your gear with you
    • Warm clothes (especially if you plan to do a night timelapse or if you are in a could environment)

 

Filters:

  • Use of CPL
    • If you are about 90° towards the sun (otherwise the effect will not appear)
    • If you want to get rid of reflection in windows or water
  • Use of ND
    • An ND filter is always advised to use (to achieve a lower shutter speed)
  • Use of UV
    • Never use them because there is no need on modern camera and they only make your image quality more bad

 

If you have a motion controlled timelapse:

  • If you programming your motion always set the end position first (so you don’t move the same way twice)
  • Never do a motion more than 0.02° per image (to avoid lagging/jumping in the final video)
    • The smaller the motion per image is the smoother the final video will look
  • Always have something in the foreground so you get a nice parallax effect
  • Only use motion ramping if you will use the entire timelapse
  • If you want to use focus point motion, replay the motion in realtime (if possible) to check the focus point position over time

At the location:

  • Look for a location where you have a for, middle and background
  • Clean your lens and filters
  • Remove neck straps (can make the camera shack if there is wind)
  • Tripod
    • Never extend the centre column (to keep the camera stable)
    • Add weight to your centre column hook
    • Always use the biggest leg extends first
    • Keep the tripod as low as possible
  • Set everything to Manual (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance, focus)
    • Disable Optical Image Stabiliser / Optical SteadyShot
    • Disable long exposure compensation (if you plan to use a shutter speed longer than 2 seconds)
    • Disable high ISO compensation
    • Set your camera to Release/Shutter priority
  • Try to use the lowest ISO possible to get a clean and noise free image
  • Shutter speed (choose a shutter speed based on the environment)
    • Fast shutter speed will freeze the image (to fast will look unreal in the final video because you can see things that are not visible to the human eye)
    • Slow shutter speed will make fast elements blurry
    • A common rule is shutter speed = interval / 2
  • Aperture (choose a aperture based on the environment)
    • Larger aperture (for example f2.8) will create a depth of field and you have to set the focus point on the right distance
    • Small aperture (for example f16) will make more in focus
    • A common used aperture is between f7 and f9
  • Set your focus point
  • Take some test shoots and review it
    • Check exposure (keep in mind that it will maybe change over time; try to shoot underexposed so you don’t have blown out section in the image; between -1 and -2 will do the job most of the time)
    • Check focus at least twice
  • Set the right interval (never go under longest shutter speed * shoots per interval + 1 second)
    • You can make your timelapse always faster in post (never slower) so you better choose a shorter interval than a long one
  • Choose the amount of images to take (the final video needs 30 images per second; video length = images / 30; 600 to 900 is a great amount of images)
  • Take a shoot with your hand in front of the lens (will result in a black image) so you find the start of your timelapse images easier
  • Start the timelapse (never move or touch your camera after you started)

 

Timelapse at night:

  • Set focus point manually by zooming digital into a star.
  • Use the 500-Rule to prevent star trails (maximal exposure time in second = 500 / (Full-frame Focal Length))
  • Use the largest aperture possible on your lens to get the most light out of it
  • Keep in mind that your interval has to be 1-2 seconds longer that the exposure time (for buffer clearing and motion time)
  • Take into account that the capture time for stars will be much much longer and 300 images will take about 2.5h