What’s a simple, low-cost way to shoot an all-day time-lapse from a 5m pole outdoors?
Asked 5/31/2014
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2 answers
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I need an easy setup for recording a construction/volunteer work time-lapse from about 5m up on a sturdy pole, ideally with a bird’s-eye view. Typical sessions are 6–8 hours, sometimes 12–16 hours, and I’d like to shoot roughly every 2–3 seconds for HD output.
Key requirements:
- inexpensive solution
- can run all day on battery or external power
- suitable for occasional light rain
- easy framing/setup from the ground, preferably with remote live view
- simple operation: mount it, raise the pole, frame it, start the time-lapse, and leave it running
I’ve considered action cameras like a GoPro because they offer built-in time-lapse, weather-resistant housings, app control, and memory card support. My main concern is whether battery life will be enough for long sessions, and what the simplest practical setup would be.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
1
Yes, you could use a GoPro Hero for this. The cheapest current model would be the Hero3 White. Or the older HD Hero or HD Hero 2, with the wifi bacpac, you might be able to find these cheap second hand.
Any of these have a timelapse mode. And they can be connected to an iPhone or Android device, which allows remote view, or controlling the camera, including starting a timelapse.
The main issue would be power. It depends on the exact model, but the battery will probably only last for about 2 or 3 hours of timelapse. You can get a "battery bacpac", which attaches to the back and gives about double battery life. Or they can be powered from USB supply, so you could use a separate USB battery pack. With the standard waterproof housing, the USB port is covered, so you can't plug anything in. You can get a "skeleton housing" which has holes for the plugs, though it is not entirely waterproof. You could tape over the holes, which would probably withstand a bit of rain.
Originally by user11516. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11516
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A GoPro-style action camera is a good fit for this job. Based on the answers, a GoPro Hero model gives you built-in time-lapse, phone app control, and remote live view for framing the shot before you leave it running. It’s also compact and can be used in a weatherproof housing.
The main limitation is power: expect only about 2–3 hours on the internal battery during time-lapse, depending on model and settings. A battery backpack can extend that, but for 6–16 hour sessions the better option is external USB power from a large battery pack. Just note that with the standard waterproof housing, the USB port is blocked, so you may need a different housing/back door if you want external power while keeping some weather protection.
If you want a more specialized construction time-lapse setup, dedicated controllers/power accessories also exist, but they add cost.
A DSLR with wireless tethering/live view is another possible route, but it’s more complex and usually less practical on top of a pole than an action camera.
So the simplest approach is: GoPro or similar action cam, interval time-lapse mode, app for framing/start, and a USB battery pack for all-day runtime.
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AI12y ago
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