How To Build The Smallest Intervalometer In The World
If you are into time lapse you must have checked the option of getting an Intervalometer. as you can see from the Canon and Nikon links an Intervalometer is not cheap. Not really expensive either, but definitely not cheap. So As usual I ask: what can you DIY about it?
Some cameras already have the time lapse feature built in, and Canon photographers can turn to CHDK for adding a time lapse feature. But there is a third, cooler version if you are into electronics (which I know lots of site readers are not afraid of).
Achim Sack - a super electronics engineer - has a project for building an intervalometer the size of a finger nail. It needs no power and learns the interval between shots as you go. If you are into embedded programming, this is a project for you, if not, "move along nothing to see..." [Image credit: tonyVC]
There are three parts for this project: making a PCB, Soldering the PCB and loading the PIC (a small, cheap, stupid CPU) with software. In Achim's case he is using a microchip PIC called PIC10F222. It is ridiculously cheap @ about 60 cents.
Creating the PCB
The PCB schematics are available for personal use here along with a PCB making tutorial. If you have never created a PCB in college you are in for a treat.
Downloading the Software to the PIC
You download a software to a PIC using a kit called PicKit3. This process is called burning. There are instructions for this on the Kit's quick start manual but I am including it here just in case. (the software is available under CC here)
- Install MPLAB IDE
- Connect the PicKit3 to the computer
- Start MPLAB, select Programmer > Select programmer > PicKit3
- Open the *.asm file with my code
- Go Configure > Select Device and select PIC10F222 as device
- Project > Quickbuild
- Connect the target to the PicKit3
- Select Programmer > Settings > Power and check "Power target circuit ..."
- Programmer > Program
Soldering
Did I mention iron jet pilot hands are needed for this project? There is a great soldering tut on make, however, this one's definitely not for beginners.
Then you mount it on the stereo jack (it's that itsy bitsy dot on the left).
Shooting
Here is the nice thing. The little prong goes in the 3.5 jack of your camera. It "drains " power from your battery (so little you won't even feel it) and is ready to go. It will "remember" the time between your first two shots and will keep photographing in this interval until you half press the focus button.
The movie below is made from 2300 still image, took 4 hours to take and was going on until the battery drained.
Link Recap
- Intervalometer scheme, idea, software and PCB plans: On Achim's site
- PCB making tut: On Achim's site
- PIC10F222: here
- PicKit3: here
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Comments
Intervalometer
There are not many people who are willing to take the time to share their findings about they do it yourself projects. Thank you for opening up and allowing us to see how we can save a little money.
Video?
Hm. The video on this posting doesn't seem to work..... Any chance you can repair it?
re: Video
hi,
for the video t play the browser should have a windows media plug in (or a similar on). Here it plays both on ie and firefox.
Seriously, can we as an
Seriously, can we as an industry start having the 'why does the $99 piece of crap point & shoot have more features than my thousand dollar DSLR?' conversation? We shouldn't have to DIY a solution to what should already be at least a software option.
re: good point
Hi Greg,
This is a very strong point that you are making. I often think about this too (especially when I use the CHDK on my G9). I think this has to do more with branding and positioning than with anything else.
Up until recently there was a very distinct line between P&S and SLRs. I think this line is thinning down as P&S are getting more features, better quality and with the introduction of EVIL (no mirror) cameras. Those push the low level cameras up.
I think it is time to start meeting ends from the other side as well and provide more features on DSLRs so they are a match with smaller cameras. I feel that in this point in time it will not take away from the DSLR prestige and will drag more customers towards them. I would would definitely be great if they start introducing more features to low level DSLRs first and work they way up the chain.
good luck with the show.
Why would they include
Why would they include something built-in when they can get you to pay hundreds of dollars for it as an add-on?
Very nice!
That is way cool! At the other end of the spectrum is this one, arguably the most powerful intervalometer in existenence: http://www.thegadgetworks.com/TL-Plus.html
Someone should pre-assemble, program and sell them
Nice little product, I'd pay for one.
If they only cost about 60c
If they only cost about 60c to make then why don't you sell them?
I, an I'm sure many others, don't have the know how to make these things but would still love to have them and use them.
Please, Sell these!
As you said, commercial intervalometers can cost $100. Make these en masse and sell them for $5 or $10. I'm sure a lot of people would even pay $15 for them. At least offer a kit, as etching the board is the hardest part for most people. Print maybe 100 on a larger board and sell them individually with the components needed. I would definitely pay for that.
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