External Time Lapse Control

[Brian Pascale]

Hi All,

I sent a message to Red about this, but thought I would check here to see if anybody has successfully used an external device to control the shutter of their camera.

I bought a cable from red to send a pulse to camera so I could use an external time lapse device. Although the internal time lapse works flawlessly, I would like to trip it externally so it works in synch with my motion control dolly and exposes when dolly stops (the dolly then starts again, and stops, triggers camera, repeats as programmed). So I hook up through the white cable, set the control to external device, have it set to 1 frame per pulse, hit record, and it records one frame only. I did have to go through some adapters to get my 2.5mm into the male bnc connector, so maybe the problem lies there, however I am checking to see if I am missing a step?

Thanks

 

[Trent Lillehaugen]

Hi All,

I sent a message to Red about this, but thought I would check here to see if anybody has successfully used an external device to control the shutter of their camera.

I bought a cable from red to send a pulse to camera so I could use an external time lapse device. Although the internal time lapse works flawlessly, I would like to trip it externally so it works in synch with my motion control dolly and exposes when dolly stops (the dolly then starts again, and stops, triggers camera, repeats as programmed). So I hook up through the white cable, set the control to external device, have it set to 1 frame per pulse, hit record, and it records one frame only. I did have to go through some adapters to get my 2.5mm into the male bnc connector, so maybe the problem lies there, however I am checking to see if I am missing a step?

Thanks

When you say you "set the control to external device" do you mean you set the Recording Mode to "External Frame Trigger"? If so you will also need to go to the Settings->Setup->GPIO/Sync Dialog and set:
Camera Input: "General Purpose In"
Brain GPI In High/Low: (I'm not sure what your external device looks like so pick the appropriate signal) "Record: External Frame Trigger"

 

[James_Mills]

Somewhat off topic, but I'm confused as to why everyone is so excited to be using their Scarlets for timelapses. Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't a standard 5D MKii be able to produce a timelapse with the same resolution (if not better) as a Scarlet can? What benefits would one get from using a RED camera to shoot timelapses with as opposed to a standard DSLR? Does the latitude of the Scarlet's timelapse exceed that of the 5D's? I always thought a MKII's latitude is much greater in standard photography, is this not the case?

Also, does HDR mode allow the RED camera to produce a more unique timelapse than a DSLR would?

Excuse my ignorance about all of this...

 

[Brian Pascale]

I have limited experience doing time lapse, but here is why I want to use the Scarlet for it. Red produces a movie, DSLR produces a bunch of stills that need to be imported and made into a movie, which I find to be kind of a pain. Also you can get flicker with a DSLR, which there is software to help control. Finally cameras shutters are rated for 150,000 shoots (some more, some less) and doing a bunch of time lapse can wear out your still camera. In real life, don't know how much of an issue that is, or is not.

Somewhat off topic, but I'm confused as to why everyone is so excited to be using their Scarlets for timelapses. Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't a standard 5D MKii be able to produce a timelapse with the same resolution (if not better) as a Scarlet can? What benefits would one get from using a RED camera to shoot timelapses with as opposed to a standard DSLR? Does the latitude of the Scarlet's timelapse exceed that of the 5D's? I always thought a MKII's latitude is much greater in standard photography, is this not the case?

Also, does HDR mode allow the RED camera to produce a more unique timelapse than a DSLR would?

Excuse my ignorance about all of this...

 

[Brian Pascale]

I am sure I used all the wrong terms. I will try your suggestions first thing in the morning, guessing that solves the problem. Thanks for responding.

When you say you "set the control to external device" do you mean you set the Recording Mode to "External Frame Trigger"? If so you will also need to go to the Settings->Setup->GPIO/Sync Dialog and set:
Camera Input: "General Purpose In"
Brain GPI In High/Low: (I'm not sure what your external device looks like so pick the appropriate signal) "Record: External Frame Trigger"

 

[Christopher Barrett]

Actually, No, James. Even my Phase One digital back can't match the latitude of my Epic. I do typically prefer to setup the 5d2 for TL and then go shoot live action with my Reds but if you've got a contrasty scene, nothing can touch the Red files.

 

[Brant Hadfield]

Somewhat off topic, but I'm confused as to why everyone is so excited to be using their Scarlets for timelapses. Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't a standard 5D MKii be able to produce a timelapse with the same resolution (if not better) as a Scarlet can? What benefits would one get from using a RED camera to shoot timelapses with as opposed to a standard DSLR? Does the latitude of the Scarlet's timelapse exceed that of the 5D's? I always thought a MKII's latitude is much greater in standard photography, is this not the case?

Also, does HDR mode allow the RED camera to produce a more unique timelapse than a DSLR would?

Excuse my ignorance about all of this...

How about the fact that I do not own, have never owned, nor plan to ever own, a 5D.

 

[dennys bisogno]

Yeap, that would count as a good reason

How about the fact that I do not own, have never owned, nor plan to ever own, a 5D.

 

[James_Mills]

Actually, No, James. Even my Phase One digital back can't match the latitude of my Epic. I do typically prefer to setup the 5d2 for TL and then go shoot live action with my Reds but if you've got a contrasty scene, nothing can touch the Red files.

Good to know, thanks.