Jump to content

Automatic shooting with Alpha 7R II each second


Recommended Posts

Yes Lescatalpas is correct, the Timelapse app will let you do this. Like so many of the other apps and software in general, it leaves a bit to be desired but it does in fact work as you desire which I can confirm as I recently purchased and downloaded it to my A7R II myself. 

 

Is there a method to automatically shoots a single picture each second with a Sony Alpha 7R II?

Link to post
Share on other sites

With a few caveats, based on my experience with the time lapse app on my A7II (not A7RII), I'm not sure it will fit the bill for a shot every second.

 

Can you A7RII users get down to a one second interval between shots due to faster wright speeds on the A7RII? After just confirming using custom settings with the lowest image size and quality, the shortest interval I can set between shots is 3 (three) seconds.

 

Regardless, the OP didn't say how many one second shots they want to take in a row. The time lapse app only allows 990 shots. If their number of shots falls below this maximum and the A7RII can indeed be set to one second interval, they are good to go. If not they're going to be requiring an intervalometer like this:  https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Intervalometer-Time-lapse-Photography-Multi-Terminal/dp/B00NSE1F6I. Of course if they are taking 700 - 800+ shots with two charged batteries in a vertical grip it may not provide the power they need. They're going to need to decide how they're going to power the camera while the intervalometer occupies the multi port. With a dummy battery and power bank?

 

Anyhow, just my two cents.

 

KMG

Link to post
Share on other sites

I used an intervalometer like from the amazon link, taking about 100 exposures, each 5 seconds, 1 second between each. Cost about 30 dollars.

 

What was also possible was to take longer exposures with NR active, and get the timing right for the next shot, and so on. Not sure what the App can do in that regard?

Link to post
Share on other sites

The custom setting of the time lapse app allows 1 second intervals, but obviously if you need let's say an exposure time of 0,5 sec, you will not be able to make 990 photos, only a few until the buffer is full. An intervalometer won't change that.

The app costs under 10 euros, and you don't need additional timelapse software, processing can be done in camera, by the app. The battery life is more of a restricting factor.

Link to post
Share on other sites

So the 3 minimum seconds between shots is due to slower processing on my A7II and the A7RII can do one second interval between shots, thanks for clearing that up Lescatalpas.

 

Still without knowing what the OP is trying to accomplish it's hard to determine what solution best. I they're lucky they'll be able to use the app to accomplish what the want instead of a more cumbersome intervalometer and dummy battery solution.

 

Won't know for sure until the provide more info.

Link to post
Share on other sites

So the 3 minimum seconds between shots is due to slower processing on my A7II and the A7RII can do one second interval between shots, thanks for clearing that up Lescatalpas.

 

Still without knowing what the OP is trying to accomplish it's hard to determine what solution best. I they're lucky they'll be able to use the app to accomplish what the want instead of a more cumbersome intervalometer and dummy battery solution.

 

Won't know for sure until the provide more info.

Let there be no misunderstanding, my camera is an a7II too. It is the timelapse app that allows a 1 sec interval, you can set that in the custom setting of the app. But taking the picture plus the time to write to the card may take longer than 1 second, depending on exposure time. The app also has an interval priority option. If you put that on it will indeed take a picture every second, but only until the buffer of the camera is full. If you put the interval priority off, and you choose a 1 second interval, but it takes 1,5 second to take the picture and write it to the card, it will take a picture after 1,5 second and not the 1 second as set. 

An intervalometer cannot improve on that in my opinion. And if you have an A7RII and try to make a picture every second you will face the same restriction. Maybe you can gain a fraction by using a faster card, but I am not sure of that. When taking pictures with the timelapse app, the buffer of my a7II starts to slow down the picture taking rate after approx. 15 shots.. If you put the app on making an avi file out of your series of pictures, it will manage with the 1 second interval. I tried this with 1/60 sec. Obviously the individual pictures for making the avi file (timelapsmovie) are much smaller then individual raw files, so you gain a lot of writing time.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks again for the reply Lescatalpas.

 

Totally understand and agree with your point regarding app or intervalometer won't make a difference if shot & write time exceed 1 second.

 

Didn't realize you also had an A7II. After reading your post I checked my settings and indeed have interval priority set. Playing around I changed the output type to images only (was set at images and movie) and was able to set interval to 1 second. So I assume the movie is being rendered as the shots are taken (ie. more taxing on the processor and memory), correct?

 

I sincerely apologize for the mistake in my initial post, didn't intent to put false info out there.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks again for the reply Lescatalpas.

 

Totally understand and agree with your point regarding app or intervalometer won't make a difference if shot & write time exceed 1 second.

 

Didn't realize you also had an A7II. After reading your post I checked my settings and indeed have interval priority set. Playing around I changed the output type to images only (was set at images and movie) and was able to set interval to 1 second. So I assume the movie is being rendered as the shots are taken (ie. more taxing on the processor and memory), correct?

 

I sincerely apologize for the mistake in my initial post, didn't intent to put false info out there.

Hi there, no need for apologies! It's just that these apps can do so much more then you'd expect. I am however not sure if the opener of this topic is helped. It all depends what he wants the 1 sec intervals for. For shooting stars it certainly won't work, but then,  it won't work with any camera.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...