The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Setting Up an Intervalometer for Stunning Long Exposures
Are you a beginner photographer looking to take your long exposure and time-lapse photography to the next level? If so, you’ve probably heard about intervalometers. But what exactly are they, and how can you use one to capture stunning shots, like star trails or smooth light trails?
In this guide, based on a detailed tutorial by Pablo Díaz Photography on YouTube, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to set up and use an intervalometer for the first time. Let’s dive in!
What is an Intervalometer?
An intervalometer (also called a shutter release or interval timer) is a remote device that connects to your camera, allowing it to take pictures automatically at set intervals over a period of time. This is particularly useful for capturing long exposures, shooting time-lapse videos, or photographing stars, where you want the camera to take several shots without any input from you.
Why You Need an Intervalometer
If you’re aiming to shoot multiple long exposures—such as for star photography, light trails, or timelapse photography—an intervalometer is essential if you do not have one internally built into your camera. Instead of manually pressing the shutter button repeatedly, the intervalometer automates the process, allowing you to focus on composition and camera settings while it handles the timing.
Choosing the Right Intervalometer for You
Before you start using an intervalometer, it’s important to know that not all intervalometers are the same. Some have a dedicated on/off switch, while others might require you to remove the batteries after every use. For instance, Pablo demonstrates two different intervalometers: a Neewer model that doesn’t have an on/off switch (requiring you to remove the battery) and a Pixel Pro wireless remote that comes with a dedicated on/off button. Depending on your needs, choose one that fits your shooting style.
Key Tips Before You Start
Practice First: Don’t wait for a precious shoot to try out your intervalometer for the first time. Practice at home or in a low-stakes environment to get comfortable with the settings and the device. This will help you avoid frustration when you're out in the field, especially during night photography when it's harder to see your results.
Disable Image Preview: When using an intervalometer, it’s a good idea to turn off image preview between shots. This will prevent your camera from processing each image and showing a preview, which can cause unnecessary buffering and slow down the shooting process. It’s one less thing your camera has to do while capturing multiple shots.
Shutter Speed and Bulb Mode: If you’re shooting a long exposure (over 30 seconds), you’ll need to switch your camera to bulb mode. In this mode, the camera keeps the shutter open for as long as you want, which is essential for capturing things like stars or light trails.
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Intervalometer
1. Set Your Camera to Bulb Mode (if necessary)
If you’re planning on taking long exposures, like 30 seconds or more, you’ll need to put your camera into bulb mode. This mode keeps the shutter open until you tell it to close, which is perfect for things like night sky photography. If your exposure is under 30 seconds, you can adjust the camera’s shutter speed directly.
On your camera, turn the dial to B or Bulb mode, or enable it through the digital settings.
2. Adjust Your ISO and Aperture
Next, set your ISO and aperture. For star photography, for example, an ISO between 800-1600 and an aperture of f/2.8 are good starting points.
3. Connect Your Intervalometer
Find the connection port on your camera (usually on the side) and plug in your intervalometer. Now it’s time to configure the timer.
4. Configure the Intervalometer Settings
Here’s where things get interesting. Your intervalometer might have a few key settings you’ll need to adjust:
Delay: This is how long the intervalometer waits before taking the first shot. Set this to around 10 seconds to avoid any camera shake when pressing the start button.
Long (or Bulb): This determines how long the camera’s shutter stays open. For star photography, you may want this set to around 20-30 seconds.
Interval: This is the amount of time between each shot. If you’re in bulb mode, you can typically set it to 1-3 seconds. If you’re using a standard shutter speed (like 10 seconds), you’ll need to add the interval time to the actual exposure time. For example, if your shutter is set to 10 seconds, and you want a 3-second interval between shots, your total delay will be 13 seconds (10 seconds of exposure + 3-second interval).
Number of Shots: You can select a specific number of shots, or set it to infinite for continuous shooting until you stop the intervalometer or the battery runs out.
5. Start the Timer
Once everything is set, hit the start button. The intervalometer will wait for the delay time you set, then start the sequence. You’ll hear a slight click as the camera takes the first shot. The intervalometer will continue to control the shutter, opening and closing the camera’s shutter at the set intervals, without any further input from you.
6. Review and Adjust
After a few test shots, you may want to adjust the settings (ISO, aperture, interval, or shutter speed) to fine-tune your results. This is especially important when shooting in low-light conditions, as exposure can affect the final image quality.
What to Do If Things Aren’t Working
Bulb Mode Limitations: If you're using bulb mode, you might notice that the exposures end up being a little shorter than expected (e.g., 19.9 seconds instead of 20 seconds). This is due to buffering time within the camera or the intervalometer, which can cause slight variations in exposure times.
Intervalometer Glitches: Sometimes the intervalometer may not trigger correctly if the interval time is too short. If you're using bulb mode, you may want to avoid setting the interval time to 1 second—try 3 seconds instead, as this gives the camera enough time to reset between shots.
Conclusion: Why Intervalometers Are Worth the Effort
Using an intervalometer might seem intimidating at first, but once you’ve practiced and understood the settings, it’s a game-changer for your photography. Whether you’re shooting stars, cityscapes, or time-lapse videos, this tool lets you capture stunning sequences with minimal effort. So, practice the settings, understand your camera, and get creative with your shots!
Happy shooting! And if you have any questions or run into issues, drop them in the comments below!