# Anyone shoot time-lapse on FILM? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 19, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-shoot-time-lapse-on-film/780258 "2017-02-19T21:24:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-shoot-time-lapse-on-film/780258/1 "2017-02-19T21:24:35Z")
Organising my gear, I found an intervalometer that came with one of the Aatons. I’ve never used one. I’ve always shot 24 frames per second. So I hooked it up to one of the cameras, and it worked. I assumed that since the camera was set to 24 fps and has a 180º shutter, and at 24 fps the exposure is 1/48 second, that the single frame would be 1/48 second. It was quite noticeably longer. So I looked at the manual. It says the single-frame exposure is ¼ second. Fair enough. My Minolta Autometer IV-F only goes down to 8 fps. If I’m doing the math right, that’s 1/16 second exposure time. Of course I can switch over from CINE to AMBI and input ¼ second. Let’s say I want to shoot the Sun from the time it rises until the time it sets. Say, one frame per minute for 12 hours (30 seconds running time). Should I set the aperture (_f_-stop) to the correct exposure at midday? It will be underexposed in the morning and evening, and correctly exposed in the middle. Basically, ‘fade in, correct exposure, fade out’. How do _you_ do it? ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-shoot-time-lapse-on-film/780258/2 "2017-02-22T17:20:34Z")
Somewhat tangent to your question: I would be careful leaving your camera pointed at the sun. Your lens could have the same effect as a magnifying glass on an ant - you can burn/damage whatever covers the capture surface (film or whatever). As to your question, I would think if your camera had an “automatic aperature” (like using “shutter speed priority”), this would be ideal for such a series of pictures. You’ll probably still be over exposed during mid-day, but your transitions at morning/evening would be better. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-shoot-time-lapse-on-film/780258/3 "2017-02-22T18:15:58Z")
> [@cormac262](#): > > Somewhat tangent to your question: I would be careful leaving your camera pointed at the sun. Your lens could have the same effect as a magnifying glass on an ant - you can burn/damage whatever covers the capture surface (film or whatever). It wouldn’t be pointed ‘at’ the Sun. But I’d like the Sun to arc across the frame. > [@cormac262](#): > > As to your question, I would think if your camera had an “automatic aperature” (like using “shutter speed priority”), this would be ideal for such a series of pictures. You’ll probably still be over exposed during mid-day, but your transitions at morning/evening would be better. Nope. It’s an [Aaton LTR 54](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/83/67/9d/83679d47bfc3b824c57c39bdd9d15d22.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2017, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-shoot-time-lapse-on-film/780258/4 "2017-02-22T23:23:26Z")
When I was 12 or so I shot a manual time-lapse series of a lunar eclipse, using an old twin-lens reflex camera that used 120 film. Came out great. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2017, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-shoot-time-lapse-on-film/780258/5 "2017-02-23T16:59:54Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > When I was 12 or so I shot a manual time-lapse series of a lunar eclipse, using an old twin-lens reflex camera that used 120 film. > > Came out great. I’m guessing multiple exposures on a single frame? How many images did you shoot, and how did you calculate the exposure?