The timelapse functions on Nikon DSLR cameras are simple to use and activate. The timelapse function on a camera takes pictures at regular intervals to create a silent time-lapse movie using the frame size and rate selected in the movie shooting menu. Here are the simple settings for a Nikon DSLR camera’s timelapse.
A few steps must be taken to capture a time-lapse video using a Nikon D7000.
First, The user must switch to Manual mode on the camera to fully manage the exposure.
Second, The user must turn ON Interval Timer Shooting.
Third, The number of frames per second the user wants to record must be chosen. The user must then push the shutter button to finish the photo before moving on.
❖ Manually focus the lens and turn it to Infinity
The sky changes from dark to light during sunrise and sunset. Thus, the lens cannot detect the focus, especially in total darkness. Set the lens to Infinity (as indicated on the lens ) while the camera is set to Manual Focusing.
❖ ISO
Please set it to ISO 100 or ISO 200, whichever is your camera’s minimum ISO.
❖ F16 “Aperture” Mode
The camera automatically adjusts its shutter speed when the aperture is set to F16. The shutter speed of the camera is increased when the light level increases (during sunrise), which allows for a reduction in light entering the lens and an increase in shutter speed, that allows for the proper exposure of the photograph.
Similar to as it grows darker (sunset), the shutter speed is extended by the camera to let in more light and properly expose.
Related: Does UV Light Damage Camera Lens?
❖ “Manual White Balance.”
White balance can be manually adjusted. Auto-white balance may vary from frame to frame when the light changes over time, such as during dawn or sunset. White balance can be manually adjusted to keep all the photographs within the same aesthetic.
❖ A Little Math
According to the 24 frames-per-second Hollywood standard, one would require the following to create a 10-second time-lapse:
- Two hundred forty frames are produced in 10 seconds at a frame rate of 24.
- In order to get a 30-second exposure for each frame, you would need the following:
- Thirty seconds times 240 frames equal 7200 seconds, which is equal to 120 minutes, or 2 hours.
- With that, in order to compress 240 frames into a 10-sec time-lapse, you would need to shoot for at least 2 hours at a 30-second exposure every frame.
- Once you correct all the settings, you can begin taking time-lapse pictures.
Night Sky Time-Lapse Setup For The Nikon D7000
➔ Step 1.
Go to manual mode on the camera.
➔ Step 2.
Switch the lens’s focus to manual (Nikkor 18-105mm)
➔ Step 3.
Choose Auto for white balance
➔ Step 4.
Disabled image preview to remove any background lighting
➔ Step 5.
Position the shot and set up the tripod for the camera.
➔ Step 6.
Adjust the focus manually to make the stars appear sharp.
➔ Step 7.
I selected ISO 1250, f/3.5 as my aperture, and 30 seconds as my shutter speed.
➔ Step 8.
In the settings, set the interval timer shooting to 120 shots every minute (2 hours duration)
➔ Step 9.
Created a compound clip from the 120 shots by importing them into Final Cut Pro X.
➔ Step 10.
The clip’s speed was increased so that the final runtime was 10 seconds.
Related: Which Nikon Camera Can Use Old Lenses?
Preparing For The Sunrise / Sunset Time Lapse
➢ A tripod
Ensure that frames remain steady and continuous for the following few hours.
➢ A remote timer controller or intervalometer.
With the help of the intervalometer, you can set your camera to take pictures at specific times and intervals, such as once every five seconds, once every minute, etc.
- It is beneficial to maintain a steady and equal spacing between each frame.
- You are free to pursue other interests when the camera is at work.
- The “interval shooting” capability is integrated into the Nikon D7000.
- D7000 has an integrated “interval shooting” option that makes time-lapse photography a breeze.
➢ Fully charged batteries
To avoid the inconvenience of switching batteries mid-shoot, be ready with fully charged batteries since you will be filming time-lapse for a continuous couple of hours.
➢ SD/CF cards with enough memory
It would be best if you formatted or remove all of the images from your SD or CF cards because you’ll need a lot of memory to shoot continuously for a few hours.
➢ Carry a Headlight
Always carry a headlight when taking sunrise time-lapse photos so you can set it up your tripod and adjust the camera in the dark without using both hands.
Major Tips
➔ Tip No 1.
Choose the interval and the pace at which you would like the camera to record each frame by navigating to the Time Lapse Photography set. Any interval between one frame every second and one frame every ten minutes is available.
➔ Tip No 2.
Choose the shooting duration and the duration for which you would like the camera to take each frame automatically. You can have this run for a short while or for a long time.
- Look at it if you don’t want to perform the arithmetic.
- Glance at the signal to see how long the movie will be if you do not wish to perform the arithmetic.
- Once you press OK to start it, the camera will begin shooting automatically for the allotted Time.
➔ Tip No 3.
Utilize the Interval Time Shooting set to create intervals longer than 10 minutes each. The Interval Time Shooting setup will produce a series of still images instead of a finished movie that can be viewed immediately. These still images must then be assembled using optional 3rd software to produce a Time Lapse movie.
➔ Tip No 4.
The interval can be configured for anything from One frame every second to 1 frame almost every 24 hours, which is advantageous in this case.
➔ Tip No 5.
In addition, you can choose the maximum amount of total frames you would like to capture, and the camera will keep shooting until that number is reached rather than establishing a shooting time.
➔ Tip No 6.
This is ideal for long-duration Time Lapse videos captured over several hours or even days, provided that you have thought about the power needs and camera protection in these lengthy Time Lapse setups.
➔ Tip No 7.
Since, you’re taking high-quality still pictures with the interval timer, you can utilize them to make time-lapse videos with a resolution of 4K or higher. And suppose you’re working on High Definition Video.
In that case, you may also benefit from the sharper visuals by utilizing optional 3rd party software to include motion in your finished Time Lapse movie, such as zooms and pans.
Read more: 35mm film resolution vs 4k
Is Time-lapse Available on Nikon Cameras?
Nikon cameras are capable of time-lapse photography. With the help of this tool, you may quickly compress a moment or event that has taken place over some time into a video. A construction site, changing seasons, or any other occasion can be beautifully captured with time-lapse.
Is the Nikon D7000 a good camera for video?
Nikon D7000 cameras can produce a 1920x1080p (1080i) maximum resolution at a 24 fps frame rate. On the (1920720) graphics card, you can choose between a (PAL/NTSC) 24-frame rate and an (NTSC) 25-frame rate. Moreover, files that take up less than 1 MB of storage can be saved using SD video (640424).
FAQs
Has the Nikon D3500 a time-lapse feature?
NO. The Nikon D3500 doesn’t have any time-lapse features built in. Moreover, it lacks a port for adding add-ons like intervalometers.
Has the Nikon D7100 a time-lapse feature?
YES. Use any setting for the Release mode instead of Self-Timer or Mirror Up. Interval Timer Shooting can be chosen from the Shooting menu by pressing OK. Start configuring your capture session by selecting Now or Start Time.
Has the Nikon D750 a Time-Lapse feature?
YES. Choose “Time-lapse photography” from the video shooting menu, then push the multi-selector to the right to reveal the time-lapse photography options. Modify the time-lapse photography parameters as appropriate. Choose from the drop-down menus for the interval, overall shooting time, and exposure smoothing.
How to Take Time-Lapse Photos?
A normal shutter speed of twice your frame rate should be used while taking time-lapse photos (For instance, your shutter speed must be 50% if you capture at 25 frames a second.). One to two-sec intervals and one to two-sec shutter speeds can create drive time-lapses. When recording a night driving lapse, multiply these numbers by two.
Related: Nikon D7200 Time Lapse Settings
Conclusion
Only if you learn how to modify the settings by a particular circumstance can you use the Nikon Digital SLR camera time-lapse settings. The time-lapse can be activated using MENU > > > > Movie Shooting Menu > > > > Time-lapse photography. MENU > > Self-timer can be used to start the self-timer.
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