Create a delayed long timelapse with your GoPro

Sunday 23 May 2021, 23:23 by Elja Trum | 9,714 views | 1 comment

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

A GoPro can make a time-lapse video by default. However, its duration is limited because the GoPro stays on continuously and uses a lot of power. Fortunately, there is a solution using advanced firmware: GoPro Labs.

Longer timelapse by switching off in between

By default, your GoPro stays on the entire time while making a timelapse. That naturally uses a lot of battery. Depending on the type of GoPro you use, it will last for less than an hour.

With the GoPro Lapse firmware, you can scan a QR code that enables a longer timelapse by switching the camera off each time in between. This allows you to spread a timelapse over several hours or even days.

The built-in battery naturally remains a limiting factor. That is why your camera will take fewer photos per minute for longer timelapse videos. In total, the camera can take around 400 photos on one battery. You therefore spread those over the period you want to record.

Delaying the GoPro recording

I wanted to make a recording at a building site. There would be activity there from seven o'clock in the morning, but I did not want to be there at seven as well. So I wanted the GoPro to start recording automatically from a certain time.

And that is also possible with the QR codes! For this, you need to use a custom QR code. You can set quite a few things here, including a delayed action.

Combining a delay with a longer time-lapse

Naturally, I wanted both options. So both the longer time-lapse and the delayed start time. This is also possible by adding the time-lapse command to the 'Additional Commands' field in the Curstom QR code.

It is of course sensible to try out your setup first, before using it in the field. The settings are quite precise. For example, if you enter 7:00, the code will not work. It really has to be 07:00. Do not forget the '0'.

This is the final URL with my settings. If I visit this page and scan the QR code with the GoPro, the camera will make a timelapse from 7 o'clock in the morning that lasts 3 hours, or until the battery runs out.

Fortunately, when the battery runs out, the recording is still saved properly. So I was able to pick up an empty camera with the recordings safely stored.

Combined with some drone footage and some handheld video, I was able to make the video below. The footage is not particularly spectacular, but for an assignment such as documenting construction work, it is very practical.

So it is great that the GoPro offers more possibilities than the standard firmware allows.

You might also like

• 

  Review: LRTimelapse Pro Timer 3 for timelapse photography

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Paying Attention to Timelapse Photography

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Photographing a Timelapse by the Waal

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  The importance of the interval in a timelapse

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Make a timelapse more engaging with video footage

  by Nando Harmsen

• 

  Nature photography tip: Create a timelapse with your phone

  by Rob Dijkstra

1 comment

Have your say

Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.
Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.