How can I set my EOS to take a single shot every 24 hours?

[jamie_robertson2]

<p>This is a tough one for you all.</p>

<p>I was thinking of an interesting photo project. I would like to permanently set up a camera at home and somehow get it to automatically take a single photo (with flash) at roughly the same time every 24 hours to document our life. I don't care if it's on film or digital. Do you have any ideas on how I could set this sort of thing up so that it requires very little maintenance?</p>

<p>I have a couple of Canon EOS cameras, Olympus MjuII, Olympus XA and Yashica Electro 35 at my disposal at present.</p>

[jdpimages]

<p>One solution is to download the Dragon stop-motion program and connect your camera/flash kit to the computer. So long as your camera has live view or can be controlled via usb. http://www.dragonstopmotion.com/camera.php offers a list of cameras that work with the program. It will even wake your computer to take the photo. An amazing tool for both Mac/PC for manipulating time photographically!<br>

Good luck!</p>

[jdpimages]

<p>One solution is to download the Dragon stop-motion program and connect your camera/flash kit to the computer. So long as your camera has live view or can be controlled via usb. http://www.dragonstopmotion.com/camera.php offers a list of cameras that work with the program. It will even wake your computer to take the photo. An amazing tool for both Mac/PC for manipulating time photographically!<br>

Good luck!</p>

[eric friedemann]

<p>Another option would be the Canon Timer Remote Controller TC-80N3 which allows interval timing up to 100 hours, and works with many Canon EOS cameras:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/164271-REG/Canon_2477A002_Timer_Remote_Controller_TC_80N3.html#features">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/164271-REG/Canon_2477A002_Timer_Remote_Controller_TC_80N3.html#features</a></p>

<p>A thought- the batteries in your flash will likely discharge over a period of days. As such, you would want to plug the flash into a wall outlet via an A/C adapter.</p>

[ben_goren]

<p>Jamie,</p>

 

<p>If the Canons are digital and if you can dedicate a computer to connect to the camera, the disc

that came with the camera includes the EOS Utility; that, in turn, includes an intervalometer. Canon

also sells a remote timer switch with an intervalometer if you can’t use a computer.</p>

 

<p>Other vendors have similar offerings, but I couldn’t tell you the details.</p>

 

<p>Cheers,</p>

 

<p>b&</p>

[jamie_robertson2]

<p>Thanks folks,</p>

<p>My digital EOS is the 5D2 and I don't fancy tying up that camera for a year on a single project. I also have a 50E (Elan IIE) which I don't mind using. Even a compact camera would do. I can't be bothered with all the hassle of connecting a camera to a computer and having the whole lot running 24 hours a day 365.</p>

<p>The Canon timer remote sounds like a decent option but I'll have to remember to set it every day.</p>

[tudor_apmadoc]

<p>Once a day photo? Are you planning to make a video out of them?<br>

Once a day.... that means 365 days of photos translates into roughly 10 seconds of video......</p>

[richard_scopp]

<p><a href="http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19693">This timer/remote</a> can be configured to take 1 exposure every 24 hours for up to 99 exposures. You'll have to reset it every 3 months. I believe there's a Canon branded equivalent but it's over $100. For $40 this one works great.</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<p>Hey, there's an iPhone/Touch app for that! Even works with LV.</p>

[tapani]

<p>Unless I'm mistaken the TC-80N3 does not work with 50E, or any other film body except EOS 3 and EOS 1v. It doesn't even work with the low-end digitals (3-digit or Rebel series). The JJC one Richard linked to on the other hand apparently works only with low-end bodies and should work with your 50E as well.<br>

Alternatively, a digital P&S might be a good idea, more convenient for such a project than any film body, but even those that have intervalometer often can't handle intervals longer than a couple of hours. Some cheap Canon compacts that don't come with one can be programmed to do so, however: take a look at <a href="http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK">http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK</a> .</p>

 

[john_wolf2]

<p>Jamie,<br>

I can't offer a technical solution, but your project reminds me of Harvey Keitel's character, Auggie, in Smoke. Really nice film. <br>

Check out this YouTube clip from the movie: <a href="

The reference to Ellen is the William Hurt character's wife, who was killed a few years earlier in a bank robbery.<br>

Sorry for the OT reference; just thought you might enjoy it.</p>

<p>John</p>

[steven_f1]

<blockquote>

<p>Unless I'm mistaken the TC-80N3 does not work with 50E, or any other film body except EOS 3 and EOS 1v. It doesn't even work with the low-end digitals (3-digit or Rebel series). </p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Many older film bodies and the Rebel series of digitals use a different connector. People have removed the connector on the TC--80N3 and installed one that works with the Rebels or older Canon film cameras. You can find instructions for this on the Web. In fact I have heard of people using the TC-80N3 on Nikon cameras.</p>

[brett_w.]

<p>If you had a Canon P&S camera like a Powershot you could simply run the CHDK program<br>

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_in_Brief</p>

[jamie_robertson2]

<p>OK, thanks again everyone. I think the Canon timer remote will be the answer. Altering it for the 50E should be easy enough. I think the 50E turns itself off after a few minutes of being idle and turns back on when you press the shutter button. That will conserve the battery and stop the flash constantly recycling. Heck, I may even get a full year out of a single battery. That will only be ten 36 exposure films. The bonus of the 50E is that it is incredibly good on batteries.</p>

<p>Brett, I do have a Canon Powershot A620 so I could use your idea. My main concern with your method is providing continuous power for a year and whether the camera would cope with running 24/7 365.</p>

<p> </p>