Sony a7III, a7RIII & a9 Time Lapse Options

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UPDATE: April 10, 2019 - Sony released firmware 3.0 which includes in-camera intervalometer. learn more.  You may still want the MIOPS device below which does offer additional features and advantages.Sony ditched the internal apps for the a9, a7RIII and a7III - if you want automated time-lapse functionality you will need a separate device - I share some options for time lapses with Sony a9, a7iii and a7Riii.Time-lapse captured with Sony a7Riii and Miops Mobile Remotehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Xo0eVldWQ

Scroll to the bottom for a few tips for shooting a time lapse -

S&Q  - Slow and Quick on the dial(Free)

Pro

  • Free

  • Nothing required

  • Creates a video in camera, no software required

Con

  • Limited to 1080p

  • Slowest limited to 1fps, no pause between captures - not good for longer time lapses

  • Limited editing with the video file

Standard Intervalometer ($25)Pro

  • Cheap and simple to operate

  • Powered by 2 aaa (easy to find or carry backups)

Con

  • Cheaply made

  • Limited control - basically delayed start and fire every x seconds/minutes/hours

  • Limited feedback on progress - countdown only

  • Dangles from camera (unless you spend more for the wireless version)

Wired: Cheap, less than $20Wireless: Ziv TRS-10 Timer Remote for $87Miops App + dongle ($35) Buy dongle from Amazon| MIOPS WebsitePro

  • Over a dozen ways to trigger your camera from simple trigger, intervalometer, sound motion etc

  • Helpful feedback during time-lapse or with trigger on screen

  • Build scenarios for additional and powerful customization (e.g. setup a trigger that with a noise above x db will start a timelapse)

  • Exposure ramping options for day to night time lapses

Con

  • Your phone is tethered to your camera

  • Your phone is dangling unless you clip it in the hot shoe or on the tripod

Recommended hotshoe phone holdersCheap: DSLR Hotshoe cellphone holderRock solid but pricey: MeFoto Sidekick + hotshoe mount

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Miops Mobile Remote ($99) Buy remote from Amazon | MIOPS WebsitePro

  • Low energy Bluetooth connection

  • Control camera remotely - smartphone does not need to stay on or connected

  • Over a dozen ways to trigger your camera from simple trigger, intervalometer, sound motion etc

  • Good feedback on progress of timelapse

  • Build scenarios for additional and powerful customization (e.g. setup a trigger that with a noise above x db will start a timelapse)

  • exposure ramping options for day to night time lapses

  • Very portable remote (tiny, really)

  • Great battery life and auto shut off (when not running a timelapse)

Con

  • Expensive

  • Orange light flashes brightly when triggered - fine during the day but too bright at night- I cover mine with a lens cloth to hide the light

  • USB charging

  • Occupies hotshoe or you can let it dangle which is awkward

Time Lapse Tips:

  • Full Manual Settings

  • Manual focus

  • A 2-3 second gap between shots

  • Playback at 24fps means 24 shots will equal 1 second of video.

  • Most viewers only want to see a single scene for 10-15 seconds

  • Make sure camera is VERY stable. If on soft ground/snow/ sand it is possible that the camera will drift a little during the timelapse and that will be visible in playback.