Link to this page using this simple URL
http://urlbam.com/ha/M002z


Photographing Chemtrails Using Timelapse

People have contacted me about doing timelapse photography, so I'm going to post this article and expand it over time with details about how this is done.


Available Timelapse Methods

In short, I'm using 2 methods:

(1) CHDK with a Canon camera, and

(2) GB Timelapse software.

CHDK is a good choice because you don't need a computer dedicated to the camera. It does take more time to set up, but once you do, it's very stable and completely portable, plus (as a bonus) it adds many more features to your camera.

GB Timelapse software has a decent user interface, but my major problem with it is this: If you have your computer doing other work, GB Timelapse may crash often (in our experience), which is quite frustrating when doing timelapse.

On the other hand, I have used it on a dedicate XP machine that does nothing else but timelapse and it works for weeks without a single glitch. So if you can dedicate a machine to timelapse, this may work well for you.

Of course, GBTimelapse much simpler than using CHDK, but CHDK is not really hard. You just have to take the time to read the instructions. Also, with GB Timelapse, make sure you have the right operating system for your camera. Some cameras require XP, for example.


Links

To learn about the CHDK method, visit the official CHDK Wiki.

The CHDK documentation is currently hard to follow, so I will try to write more organized and simplified instructions below.

To learn about GB Timelapse, visit the official GB Timelapse webpage.

I will be expanding this page shortly with more details about my method for doing timelapse.


Using CHDK

I will be expanding this section shortly.

This process is a little detailed, but it's not difficult as long as you follow the instructions. The hardest part is just finding the documentation you need and finding an Intervalometer script to install within the CHDK operating system.

Following are the basic steps to using CHDK:

(1) Check your camera's software version. You actually need to load a file on your camera's memory card to do this.

(2) Download the correct CHDK version for your camera.

(3) Download and add "Intervalometer" software to the CHDK software.

(4) Learn how to use CHDK.


Finding an Intervalometer Script that Works with Your Camera

Below is a list of Intervalometer scripts.

Ultra Intervalometer

This is the one I'm using on my Canon A650IS. It works fine even though the documentation does not mention this particular model.

I am using the original version of the script, as shown here:

Code
rem Author - Keoeeit  
rem Written for S-Series  
rem Should be okay on others  
rem Use Endless mode with caution  
rem See documentation for important info  
rem first version  
@title Ultra Intervalometer  
@param a Delay 1st Shot (Mins)  
@default a 0  
@param b Delay 1st Shot (Secs)  
@default b 0  
@param c Number of Shots  
@default c 5  
@param d Interval (Minutes)  
@default d 0  
@param e Interval (Seconds)  
@default e 0  
@param f Interval (10th Seconds)  
@default f 5  
@param g Endless? No=0 Yes=1  
@default g 0  
p=a*60000+b*1000  
t=d*60000+e*1000+f*100  
if c<1 then let c=5  
if t<100 then let t=100  
if g<0 then let g=0  
if g>1 then let g=1  
if p<0 then let p=0  
z=t*c  
y=p+z  
print "1 Cycle Time:", y/60000; "min", y%60000/1000; "sec"  
goto "interval"  
:interval  
  if p>0 then gosub "pause"  
  print "Shot 1 of", c  
  shoot  
  if c=1 then end  
  for n=2 to c  
  sleep t  
  print "Shot", n, "of", c  
  shoot  
  next n  
  if g=1 then goto "interval" else end  
:pause  
  n=(a*60)+b  
  for m=1 to n  
  q=n-m  
  print "Intvl Begins:", q/60; "min", q%60; "sec"  
  sleep 930  
  next m  
  return



Time Lapse w/Variable Shutter Speed

This is another script. I haven't tried using it, but if someone has, please let us know how it works.

Russ Tanner, Founder, Administrator, Programmer
GlobalSkywatch.com
My Chemtrail Story