Regular8 (cable release) Timelapse Intervalometer

Post by **Sparky** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 9:58 pm

I don't think there are many R8 cameras with timelapse functionality- none of mine have it. I've been meaning to do it for a while but hadn't thought of a good way, but Kent's (Uppsala B) offer of a trial transfer on his new Flashscan has spurred me into action and here it is:

OK, so its early days yet, but it will work I think! You have to use your imagination a bit- the rotational motion of the model servo will be translated into a linear one, pushing the plunger of the cable release to release the single frame function of the Leicina. Should work with any camera with a cable release socket and single frame function.

Its pretty simple electronics- 2 555 timers (or a 556) a few resistors and caps and a small relay. One 555 does the servo control routine, while the other switches in a different resistor via the relay to change the servo position, the timing of this switching being the variable timelapse function. I need to work on it a bit though as the batteries don't last long at the moment, but it works! The little servo will have about 1Kg/cm torque which will be enough for the Leicina and most cameras I'd imagine.

Heres a little mpg of it in action- exciting

http://www.filmshooting.com/scripts/gal ... V00272.mpg

Cost of parts about Ã‚Â£10! I still need to sort out the mechanical bits and fit it in a box that will velcro to the side of the camera. Can't wait!

Mark

Santo · Post by **Santo** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 10:54 pm

Hahaha! That's a fantastic clip. You must be happy. This is a neat piece of work shaping up.

You get any more pictures of Exoplanet 2M1207b with that Leicina Special / Super-Takumar Telephoto combination I saw mounted on that Bolex tripod you posted pics of a little while back?

Post by **Sparky** » Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:45 pm

Happy? Nearly! Just did some more tests and in certain contortions, the cable requires up to 2Kg force to operate :? So I need to find a super slick, teflon lined cable release from somewhere.

You get any more pictures of Exoplanet 2M1207b

Funny you should ask- I just recieved my K40 back in a record (for me) 8 days! I'm just finishing my dinner and then I'll check it out- timelapse of the moon and Jupiter (I think :? ) Hope my infinity focus was alright with the M42 adapter and that long lens. I just bought a teleconverter so I'll be able to get up to 400mm (!)- equivalent to 1600mm on 35mm!!! but I'll probably have to do time exposures as I'll have f11 wide open.

Mark

Post by **Sparky** » Sat May 21, 2005 8:31 pm

Quick update- I've been busy today sorting out the mechanism:

but as you can hear in this clip, its VERY NOISY!

http://www.filmshooting.com/scripts/gal ... action.mpg

but it works!

Its just running off a servo tester at the moment- I still need to build the circuit. I think I need to try out some other servos- perhaps a larger stronger one would be a little quieter. I'm not sure how long the servo or cable release will last as they are under quite a strain, but its looking good for now.

So Kent, I'm not far off doing that R8 timelapse for your test scan- I had a roll of the 5 pack of K25 I bought on ebay processed and the good news is it has deep rich colour- the bad I manually underexposed it by not allowing a stop or so for the lens. But I think I'll get it right next time and can't wait to see the results.

Mark

Post by **vonfilm** » Sat May 21, 2005 9:41 pm

Wow! :o

I need something like this for my Regular 8 cameras. Do you have any plans to sell these or publish the plans?

Post by **Sparky** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:06 pm

Vonfilm wrote:

Do you have any plans to sell these or publish the plans?

I'm not sure I've got the time to build lots of these and its a bit of a prototype. If I did they would be quite expensive which would be kinda defeating the object, but I will certainly publish the circuit for driving the servo (its really simple), then all you need is a servo, battery pack, box and a means to do the mechanical bit. It could probably be done in a simpler less machined way.

Mark

Post by **vonfilm** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:14 pm

What sort of batteries do you use? I would think the rechargeable lithium batteries that radio control model airplanes use would work very well and last a long time.

Post by **Sparky** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:22 pm

Nothing too fancy at the moment- I'll try regular AA NiMhs and see how they last.

Mark

Post by **ncsproducts** » Sun May 22, 2005 1:30 am

Vonfilm wrote: I'm not sure I've got the time to build lots of these and its a bit of a prototype. If I did they would be quite expensive which would be kinda defeating the object, but I will certainly publish the circuit for driving the servo (its really simple), then all you need is a servo, battery pack, box and a means to do the mechanical bit. It could probably be done in a simpler less machined way.

Very nicely done!

I would suggest just using AA alkalines. They'll last a long time and they're higher in voltage then Nimh which is helpfull in giving the servo a little bit more punch.

Here's my version (video on the website)

(Maybe there will be a TIV-140C version for less $ someday, but I suspect it will always be cheaper just to buy an 8mm camera with a built-in timelapse, or at least one with an electronic shutter release. :? )

On a semi-related note, it works with the 8mm Kinoflex, but I've made a base plate to adapt the standard TIV to the Kinoflex. I'll post a pic in the Kinoflex thread.

Post by **Sparky** » Sun May 22, 2005 1:28 pm

ncsproducts wrote:

Very nicely done! icon_smile.gif

Thanks! :oops:

I looked at your site before but never saw that unit. It looks very sophisticated indeed. Being able to dial in an exact time for the interval is a very nice feature- especially for intervals longer than a minute. I'm going to limit mine to intervals up to 30 seconds because it will be a hit and miss thing with a pot to set the timing and could get to be a real PITA!

Having the mech enclosed is also a really good idea- I think I need to put a cover over mine to keep the dirt out.

The LEDs are a nice touch too- given me some ideas, though I think it'll be fairly obvious from the noise when things are happening ;-)

This is more a fun project that someone could build themselves if they wanted with little need for expertise in electronics or programming. If you've built an electronic kit before you should have no trouble- just the mechanical bit to worry about.

I agree that its much simpler and cheaper to buy a camera with built in intervalometer, but I want to use my R8 cams and none of them do. I'd be interested if anyone knew of an R8 cam with built in intervalometer, or even electronic solenoid starting.

Post by **Sparky** » Sun May 22, 2005 11:32 pm

Phew- its finished now.

Heres the schematic for Vonfilm and anyone else who wants to build their own:

ftp://ftp.filmshooting.com/upload/tools ... %20SCH.pdf

and heres the circuit in the flesh:

and the thing assembled:

and another movie of it in action on the Leicina:

http://www.filmshooting.com/scripts/gal ... OMETER.mpg

and on a Bolex K1:

http://www.filmshooting.com/scripts/gal ... OMETER.mpg

It works rather nicely- will have to run an endurance test to find out if the batteries will last.

Mark

Post by **S8 Booster** » Sun May 22, 2005 11:41 pm

it a fancy little device!

i too have got the hardware but not the time for a uni control system that is easily programmable py pc or directly on the module so if one wants dynamic timelapses it is possible to slow it down fex at night in programmed increments and up at day sort of being progressive. sure you can do that with yurs too if you like.

mine is industrial off the sheld gear from omron though so it is much more expensive than yours but it could control 10+10+10 (basically as many an one want) indpendant cams / processes simoultanesly though so it is very flexible.

anyway, nice device.

t

Post by **S8 Booster** » Sun May 22, 2005 11:49 pm

by the way, do you know those old graupner servos that could only position 1-0-2? zero + full stroke in two directions on-off only? they were used in the low end RC controls of the 60s. wonder if they were nicked tic-tacs or something like that using only pulsing to set rudder control.

should be fine for this purpose. i still have a brand new one.

t

Post by **Sparky** » Sun May 22, 2005 11:56 pm

Thanks Booster,
no this is very simple electronics- no programmability at all- a sort of version of the ST1 controller for R8 cameras. Cheap and cheerful but it goes from 1 fps to 1 frame per 50secs or so and the components could be played around with to vary that.

I tried it with zinc batteries but they started to warm up- it draws quite a lot of current while the servo is moving. It only draws about 10mA when its waiting. Will try it with NiMh and alkalines and see which is best. The problem with it is that the timings will change as the batteries run down. A uProcessor driven one like NCSproducts one would be better in than respect as well.

Oh I lied about cost- the total cost of the electronic bits was about Ã‚Â£10 but the servo was more. I wanted to use a cheapy servo but when it arrived it was tiny and not up to the job so I borrowed a friends futaba S3002 which are really expensive- like Ã‚Â£50!!- will have to find a replacement on ebay.

Mark

Post by **Sparky** » Sun May 22, 2005 11:58 pm

I never heard of those servos, but that would make it even simpler!
The one I used has 3.5Kg/cm torque and it sounds like its struggling a bit so you need plenty of power.

Mark