I need help with making a video, please.

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

I'm looking to make a series of video on my sketching. These will include a how-to set, and a set of me sketching out in the field.

The first one I am guessing I can deal with. I have a camera that produces HD video, and tripod and gear that I can arrange to hold the camera.

What I don't have is a camera that will do this in bugger all lighting conditions, :(

Is there anyone who would be able to help me with this please?

These in-the-field videos would be time lapse vids, as a sketch can take upto 3 hours to produce, and I'm sure no one wants to sit through a 3 hour long video... And as I mentioned, these would be in low and dim red light conditions while I'm working on a DSO. With the Moon, I work with plenty of light around me.

I would be most grateful for assistance with this.

Cheers,

Alex.

[killswitch]

Hey Alex

You should look into cameras with IR Nightvision LEDs. They illuminate very well in complete darkness, and outside the spectrum of our eyes.

I know on eBay you can get cheap IP security cams with IR like this (http://youtu.be/ogWgdk4m5R4?t=50s) but they might be too finicky to set up for what your trying to achieve.

Alternatively you can buy a HD webcam, and just add eBay IR lighting. (assuming the camera doesnt have an IR cut filter)

[N1]

Hi Alex, I enjoy doing the odd astro/night time lapse or vid myself. IR cameras will work but obviously you need to get them first. Some camcorders are remarkably good at this. Depending on the type of your existing camera, you might be able to program it to take n pictures, at your desired time interval and exposure settings. This could be done via your PC/Laptop, a handheld controller that plugs into the camera, or even WiFi on newer models. DSLRs work really well in that respect. If your gear allows this, you could do a series of stills - either just a few that you arrange in sequence with soft transitions in post, or a large number or frames arranged in a proper time lapse. The latter will look heaps better, but you (or your pencil) would need to sit perfectly still each time the shutter is open. And considering the hundreds of frames you need even just for a few seconds of footage, you get an idea of the work involved. I am planning to do a similar project, though the subject is very different. I'll let you know how I go.

Cheers

[mental4astro]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen.

I've looked into hacking into my Canon camera, but it's too involved for my immediate expectations. Reading into it though was very informative. Good to see how to trick up what is already a good camera.

Ed, I've followed your suggestion and am going the IR capable camera way. Found an inexpensive HD Dashcam that has IR LEDs. Also picked up a separate IR illuminator incase the lighting that the camera provides doesn't shine the way I want it to. If the camera works well neat, then great. If the lighting needs to be improved, I then have the nessecary fixture. The lamp cost very little.

Mental.