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HDR Timelapse using Exposure Bracketing and Intervalometer
Let's begin having a look at the available options we have before recording the timelapse.
The ISO sensitivity needs to be adjusted to achieve the desired exposure time in our shots.
ISO100 will give the longest exposure.
We can also adjust the light metering mode to select
which frame areas are going to determine the exposure.
Most typically we will choose matrix metering (the first mode).
We are going to record a HDR timelapse.
Therefore, we are going to use the auto exposure
bracketing feature of Camera FV-5, in [MENU] button.
Above we have the number of frames to be taken
and below the compensation step between shots.
We can see in the exposure meter the bracketing settings.
To dismiss the dialog, tap outside it.
Now it is time to setup the intervalometer.
It is located next to the bracketing settings we used before.
Here we can set the amount of time between shots
and the total number of shots to be taken.
Have in mind that the camera will take 3 times the number of shots specified here,
as the autoexposure bracketing shoots 3 photos every time the shutter button is pressed.
We are just about to begin, but don't forget to set the focus first.
When starting the intervalometer, the focus is not changed,
so we have to set it before starting the intervalometer.
There are many focus modes, depending device models.
If "infinity" mode is available, is sometimes a safe bet in low light conditions,
as we have a guarantee that the autofocus system didn't get the focus wrong.
Locking the focus is optional, but it avoids
accidental focus changes during the camera operation.
Now, let's go back to the intervalometer...
...and just hit "Start".
Now it is time to go for a coffee, or read a book, while the photos are being taken.
At the bottom of the screen
the status of the timelapse and the remaining time is shown.
And that is the result!
Amazing, right?
Now I'm going to try another timelapse, this one
without bracketing, and using long exposure.
Let's switch to [S]peed priority mode
We have different presets
and long exposures of 1'', 2'' or more.
I go for 2 seconds.
I select ISO100 to minimize the noise in the photos.
As I locked the focus on the previous timelapse, now I need to
unlock it to refocus the picture, as I have moved the camera.
Let's go back to the intervalometer...
...and readjust the settings as desired.
Two seconds between shots...
...and 400 shots, that playing back at 25 frames per second
yield an 8 second long video.
And "Start" again!
When setting the seconds between shots
it is important to give an extra second for the "shutter lag".
On newer devices with (almost) "zero shutter lag" that is less of a problem, though.
And 17 minutes later (and half an hour more of processing at the computer)...
...we come with the result!
Impressive!
Finally, a last timelapse using a short exposure time.
Now I select "short" preset, that ensures a minimum shutter speed of 1/30 of a second.
Back to the intervalometer...
...readjust the settings if needed...
Oh! Don't forget to focus before running the intervalometer!
Camera FV-5 doesn't refocus when tapping "Start", but leaves the focus as it was.
Ok, finally "Start"!
After the timelapse has finished, we need an external
software to build the video from the pictures.
There are great open source software out there that will suit the purpose, like Avidemux.
I hope you enjoyed watching! Have fun recording your own timelapses!