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This is Promote Systems, and today we will learn how to do a simple Time-Lapse with the
Promote Control. We will use a Canon 5D Mark III camera and a Promote Control updated to
the latest firmware version 2.71. Firmware updates are available free and posted frequently
on the Promote Systems Promote Control websites. The "Time Lapse" mode is useful to take a
number of pictures separated by a preset time interval with an optional delay before starting
the sequence. The resulting pictures can be used to create a fast motion video.
The Time-Lapse mode will use your camera exposure settings. We highly recommend using a compatible
shutter cable when using Time-Lapse mode with intervals shorter than 2 seconds. Promote
Control shutter cables are available from Promote Systems website as well as from our
dealers. Another benefit of the shutter cable is you can optionally set your camera to Bulb
mode and instruct the Promote Control to time an arbitrary exposure in the Time-Lapse mode.
So connect the shutter cable's 3.5mm headphone stereo plug to the Promote Control shutter
cable port located next to its USB port. Connect the camera plug to the camera's shutter
release port. Make sure the cable is inserted all the way into its port - just push it firmly
but carefully until it's snapped in place. Next, make sure that Promote Control knows
you are using the shutter cable. With your Promote Control on, press the "Left" and "Right"
buttons simultaneously to enter the Promote Control Setup menu. "Left" and "Right" buttons
scroll through available settings, while "Up" and "Down" buttons change setting values.
Scroll to "Use a separate cable for shutter release", (2) and set it to Yes. When this
setting is enabled, you will need to keep the shutter cable connected when you use your
Promote Control. To start a Time-Lapse sequence, perform the
following steps: 1 Switch your Promote Control to the "Time-Lapse"
mode. 2 Set your camera to any desired exposure
mode other than Bulb exposure. 3 Set your camera's exposure parameters
as you would for a single shot. We recommend disabling camera autofocus to avoid any interference
with Time-Lapse intervals. 4 Use the "Interval" setting on the Promote
Control to specify how often a picture should be taken. The interval is specified in hours,
minutes, seconds and tenths of second. Note that your camera may not be able to take images
as fast as the interval setting may suggest. The maximum frame rate is determined by the
image type/size selected in the camera, memory card speed, presence of shutter cable and
other factors. If your camera cannot keep up with the Time-Lapse interval you set, some
images may be skipped. 5 Specify how many "Frames", or images should
be taken in total. If you're not sure or if you want an unlimited number, you can choose
Infinite and it won't stop until you tell it to.
6 Use the "Start In" setting if you wish to delay the beginning of the Time-Lapse image
sequence. This setting uses HH:MM:SS format (Hours:Minutes:Seconds).
7 Press the "Start" button on the Promote Control. If you specified a start delay above,
a countdown will begin, otherwise the Promote Control will take the first image and continue
with the sequence as programmed.
An optional AC adapter is recommended when performing extremely long Time Lapse sequences
in order to avoid depleting Promote Control batteries before the sequence finishes. However,
if your Time-Lapse is shorter than 20-30 hours, a fresh set of Alkaline batteries will be
sufficient. If you'd like to be able to specify arbitrary
exposures instead of having your camera take care of exposure speeds, the workflow will
have a few more steps: 1 Set your camera to Bulb exposure mode.
2 Make sure the "Time-Lapse exposure setting mode" (5) in the Promote Control Setup is
set to "Arbitrary (Bulb mode)". As before, use Left and Right buttons on Promote Control
to enter Setup menu. 3 The shutter cable is required for this mode
-- we already have it connected. 4 Set your desired exposure in HH:MM:SS format.
The rest of Time-Lapse procedure will be the same as before.
Time-Lapse mode can be optionally used to create High Dynamic Range Time-Lapse sequences.
This mode will take several images instead of just one at each Time-Lapse interval. Every
bracketed sequence is merged into an HDR image and then the series of resulting HDR images
is used to create a High Dynamic Range Time-Lapse movie.
The Time-Lapse portion of the "Time-Lapse HDR" functionality is controlled via "Time-Lapse"
mode and the HDR portion is controlled via the "High Dynamic Range" mode screen. Use
the following workflow to get the most of Time-Lapse HDR imaging:
1 Make sure your camera is connected via USB -- this type of connection is required for
all work related to High Dynamic Range imaging. Also, an optional shutter cable is recommended
to accelerate HDR sequences and thus reduce the time lapse interval
2 Switch to "Time-Lapse" mode - the easiest way from here is to hold "Left" button down
while pressing "Mode" to go back one mode. 3 Next specify an "Interval" to wait between
HDR bracketed sequences. We recommend using an interval of 2 seconds or more, to allow
camera to write down all the images from the previous bracketing sequence.
4 Set "Frames" to the number of HDR series you would like to acquire. Press and hold
the "Up" or "Down" navigation buttons to accelerate the changes. Here too you can set this number
to "Infinite". In this case, the Promote Control will keep on taking images until you stop
it by holding the "Power" button down. 5 Optionally use the "Start In" setting to
wait before starting the Time-Lapse HDR sequence. 6 Switch to "High Dynamic Range" mode by pressing
"Mode" button. 7 Set "High Dynamic Range" settings as you
would for a single High Dynamic Range bracketing sequence. Note that the Promote Control will
take multiple HDR bracketed sequences according to the number of "Frames" specified in the
"Time-Lapse" mode screen. The total number of images taken by the "Time-Lapse HDR" technique
will be "Frames" of "Time-Lapse" multiplied by "Frames" of "High Dynamic Range" mode.
For example, if you specify 20 frames in the "Time-Lapse" mode screen and then request
7 bracketed frames to be taken in the "High Dynamic Range" mode screen, the total number
of images taken will be 20 x 7 or 140. Using a large memory card is recommended.
8 Enable the "T-Lapse" setting. 9 The Promote Control will display the "Time-Lapse"
interval that will be used to separate HDR sequences from each other. If you would like
to change this interval, return to the "Time-Lapse" mode screen. You can hold the "Left" navigation
button while pressing the "Mode" button to return to the "Time-Lapse" mode screen from
the "High Dynamic Range" mode. Also note that the Promote Control screen will read "HDR/T-LAPSE"
at the top, mentioning the number of bracketed HDR sets that will be taken. If you would
like to change that number, return to the "Time-Lapse" screen.
10 Press the "START" button to begin. The Promote Control will display the progress
of the sequence. 11 To stop the sequence before it is complete,
or if you used the value of "Infinite" for the "Frames" in the "Time-Lapse" mode screen,
press and hold the "Power" button, then confirm sequence cancellation. Promote Control will
then return to the mode settings screen and await further instructions.
Taking images in "Time-Lapse HDR" mode may take a long time to complete. Make sure Promote
Control has a fresh set of batteries, and if it's cold outside, you are dressed warmly
? We hope you enjoy shooting Time-Lapses with your Promote Control, and share your results
on our Facebook page!