I know that most of DSLR can shoot timelapses by using software solutions, sparing the purchase of an intervalometer. My questions:
- Any recommendation or suggestion about the software I could use (I'm using a Canon 7d)?
- Are there any major downsides to this solution?
- I suppose that the camera has to be connected to a computer through its USB interface. Any danger for the camera's battery?
- A word about the final quality of that kind of solution?
Answer
You can use the software "EOS Utility" that comes with the camera. The remote shooting function lets you do time lapse through a connected USB cable.
Advantage:
- You have the space of the PC hard disk instead of the flashcard, which is most likely much larger. That is great if you take really long time lapses.
- You can also see better what is happening and change settings, focus etc. If you take images with the intervalometer or magic lantern, you have to stop the time lapse first, check the images, then restart it. Specially over longer time lapses, the lens will unfocus unless you tape it in place. If you can look anytime at the current images, you can fix the focus if necessary while doing the shooting. With other solutions you have to look through the viewfinder and try to see the focus there.
- You do not have to work with alternative firmware, which is daunting for some people, as when you use magic lantern.
Disadvantage:
- You cannot take as fast sequenced images. I think the maximum speed is one shot every 10 seconds since the data has to be transferred through the cable between every shot (I guess). With an intervalometer you can go much faster (every second I think).
Other points:
- In both cases, with software and intervalometer, you might need extra battery support.
- There is no worry for your battery to connect the USB cable, since the USB cable does not try to charge your camera.
- Final image quality in general is the same, except for the point that you can readjust focus when using a cable much easier.
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