Everything you wanted to know about long timelapse with GoPro cameras
Cliff's Long GoPro Timelapse page
Intervalometers - Switching off the camera between frames
To conserve power during a long timelapse with GoPro Cameras you will need to switch the camera off between frames.
An intervalometer is essential and these from Cam-Do are state-of-the-art, about the same size as the Battery Bac-Pac, and fit straight onto the back of the GoPro.
The most powerful feature of these devices is that when used with external battery power, they enable you to do an almost unlimited time-lapse sequence just by swapping an expiring battery with a new one while the system is still running!
The Cam-Do Timelapse Intervalometer for GoPro Hero4 Black, Hero4 Silver, Hero3+ Black, Hero3+ Silver, Hero3 Black, Hero3 White, Hero 2 and Hero works perfectly and has been with me for years.
Documentation, Programming Videos and the User Manual for the device are here: Cam-Do Time Lapse Intervalometer Documentation
Cam-Do Timelapse Intervalometer
All of the information below is on their website at the links above but extracts are produced here.
First, format the SD card.
The camera settings MUST BE CHANGED BEFORE installing the script on the SD card or with no SD card in the camera. Otherwise, the camera will change menu selections and turn itself off before you have had a chance to make any changes. Remember to delete or rename any scripts on the SD card before using the camera for other purposes.
To operate the camera it needs a small "script" called "autoexec.ash" which is copied to the root directory of the SD card. This autoexec file is what powers the camera on, takes the frame, then powers the camera off. The intervalometer is the device that sets the time period between the frames.
Before downloading the script to the SD card, adjust the camera settings as needed:
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Choose the desired image size, for example, 7 MP Wide.
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Choose Single Shot.
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Set DEFAULT on power up to single photo.
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Turn One Button Mode OFF.
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For maximum battery life, turn off all LEDs and beeps.
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Set power off to 60 seconds to ensure the camera shuts down if something goes wrong.
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Set the correct date and time.
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Choose WiFi off.
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Take at least one photo manually. This is necessary because the camera takes much longer to take the first photo on an SD card as it prepares the card.
A SIMPLE SCRIPT TO TAKE ONE PHOTO AND THEN TURN THE CAMERA OFF
This is the ideal script for long term time lapse using the Cam-Do controllers. Try this script on your camera first to make sure you have understood the process.
Right click the appropriate link for your camera below and save the linked file directly to the root folder of your SD card. H3B refers to the HERO3 Black model and H3+ refers to the HERO3+ Black and Silver cameras.
For the HERO3 Black:
SINGLE SHOT AND POWER DOWN AFTER 10 SECONDS (H3B)
For the HERO3+ Black and Silver:
SINGLE SHOT AND POWER DOWN AFTER 10 SECONDS (H3+)
Next you have to program the intervalometer itself.
Follow the instructions in this excellent video on how to set the dip-switches. For testing purposes with your first timelapse, just set the intervalometer to take one frame every one or two minutes. If this works you can then experiment with longer sequences as you require. How to Program Your Time Lapse Intervalometer
After programming the intervalometer, you can run a test timelapse sequence using your new setup with the external battery, or you can just put a charged GoPro battery into the battery compartment. I set the camera with LED on and sound on when testing. Then I can leave the test running for hours and still hear the camera starting and powering down when I am in another room. When programming is complete I turn the sound OFF - I can still check the operation of the programmed camera by watching the LCD screen. Remember to remove the SD card temporarily while you do this, then replace it when complete.
If using your external battery system, insert the SD card with the new autoexec.ash file in the root directory, into the back of the camera. Attach the intervalometer to the back of the GoPro. Now, connect the battery clips to the external battery. Don't be disturbed if nothing happens - just watch the LCD screen and when the programmed time has passed, the camera should power on, take a frame, wait 10 seconds then power off.
If using an internal GoPro battery, just insert the SD card, insert the battery and attach the intervalometer. The camera should turn on after your programmed interval, take a frame, then turn off.
The Cam-Do Blink Timelapse Controller for Hero3+ and Hero4 Cameras is the latest piece of sheer genius from Cam-Do.
BLINK IS CAMDO’S LATEST GOPRO TIME LAPSE AND MOTION DETECTION CONTROLLER FOR HERO4 AND HERO3+ CAMERAS. IT IS A LOW POWER, WIFI ENABLED GOPRO ACCESSORY THAT UNLOCKS THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THE GOPRO CAMERA.
Whilst the original Intervalometer had to be programmed with Dip Switches, the Blink is now programmable by pc and mobile devices, meaning you can upload a program from your phone while in the field. It can also be programmed with up to 10 separate schedules that run independently. This is such a powerful feature that it is difficult to describe the potential here.
Documentation, Videos and the User Manual for the device are here: Blink Documentation
Blink Timelapse Controller
The simple Blink programming interface which you can do by PC or mobile device
NEXT.....Processing Your Timelapse
