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+k, A couple of questions (Star timelapses, Quicktime compressions, ...)

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ARfive
Posts: 194 - Karma: 280
Hey guys, thanks in advance for some help here. I've looked online for these questions but keep seeming to find different answers regarding each question.

1. What interval do you usually shoot when doing star timelapses? Also what is your ISO, Aperature set at? What are the best times to shoot these (clear sky, some clouds?)
I love these and really want to shoot one! How long do i let each timelapse run?

2. I've also noticed after I make a timelapse into a video using Quicktime that the file is sometimes over 500mb and that it's dimensions are too large to import into premiere. What are the best compression settings that will loose minimal quality and be able to import to premiere/final cut?

Thanks guys, + K to all helpful answers!
Dec 28 2011 12:42AM
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juicedrummer11
Posts: 1960 - Karma: 1,331
well i can't really help you on the first question but for the second one, you said you had final cut? i usually just leave the largest file size so i get the best quality, but you could also use whatever compression settings to match your timeline as well, and that should keep the quality pretty high i would assume
Dec 28 2011 12:19PM
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Mkvackay
Posts: 1903 - Karma: 5,465
i have been trying these more and more. they are pretty hard to get right, and take up some time. i still don't think i get them right each time, its a different learning experience each time.

but usually i shoot between 800-1600 iso. aperature depends on what lens im using, but usually 9-11, sometimes all the way closed depending on light situation.

i think clouds are pretty cool with stars, but only if they pass by, and don't linger. the best star timelapses are on a clear night, IMO.

personally, i think 2 hours is a good amount of time for the stars. my shutter speed is 30 seconds, so running 2 hours gives you around 8-10 seconds of video, depending on framerate. i think 2 hours is a minimum actually. i love it when you see the rotation completely.

hope that helps. here are a few star timelapses in this video --


Dec 28 2011 2:31PM
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SSteezle
Posts: 9300 - Karma: 7,704
nice video man. I have a similiar question to OP. So you keep your shutter at 30, but what are the intervals that you take each picture? If it's clear I'm going to try and do one tonight, would it be best to use a fisheye lens?
Dec 28 2011 3:36PM
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*Pow2ThePeople
Posts: 829 - Karma: 96
from my own experience i have found that it is best to take the shots one after another.  the 30 seconds that the shutter is open is enough to let the stars move and to keep the video smooth.
as for aperture, i usually try to open it up as much as possible (this can lead to focusing issues, but they usually arent too bad to deal with).  Leaving it this wide for 30 seconds at a high iso (usually around 1600) will give you an incredible amount of stars on a clear night.
Dec 28 2011 3:43PM
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Mkvackay
Posts: 1903 - Karma: 5,465
you will need an intervalometer (for timelapse, obviously) but its best to set the interval to 1 second

so your shutter will be open for 30 seconds, close for about 1/2 second, then open back up again for 30 seconds. repeat this for2+ hours
Dec 28 2011 4:44PM
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phreshpow
Posts: 834 - Karma: 133
Here is an awesome video covering the basics of star/night time lapse photography that helped me a ton and I think could even provide some useful tips to people who have been doing it for a while:

Dec 28 2011 5:14PM
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oil.
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 1,254
awesome tutorial!
this may be a stupid question but i just want to be sure. is the rule of 600 affected by crop sensors?
Dec 28 2011 10:05PM
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