Time lapse issues ... :(

[Squawk7777]

Good evening everybody!

I am having an issue with a recently bought Hähnel Giga T Pro II Wireless Timer Remote for my Sony Alpha 55. One feature I had been really looking forward to is the timer (or countdown) function. I followed all the steps per manual and found out that my success rate is very low. Here's a little bit more background info:

The Alpha 55 has a battery safe mode. The wireless remote has a 50/50 chance of waking the camera up from sleep mode. Waking it up does not ensure that the trigger fires. So if you decide to take time lapse pictures with the timer/countdown function of the sunrise in your place, chances are you'd be very disappointed in the morning (and it's not because of weak coffee). Setting the camera in the "remote Cdr." setting under "Drive Mode" will keep the camera on (disabling the sleep / batt. save mode) thus draining your battery fairly quickly.

I got lucky on ebay and was able to buy a used power adapter AC-PW20. Problem solved I thought. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The first three times I checked my camera in the morning it was switched off and no pictures were taken! I double-checked the settings and "remote cdr." was enabled (and yes, the power adapter was working).

Finally, I got so fed up that I set my alarm clock at o'dark hundred and initiated the time lapse manually. Kinda frustrating considering I spent close to $100 on that remote control.

Question is: Is it a bad / faulty product or operator error?

[peirceman]

I don't own the Sony or the remote, so I am just shooting in the dark here. It would help to know how long the camera is setting idle before the time lapse initiates. It is probably shutting all the way down if it is sitting for awhile. Also, once you initiate the time lapse at zero dark thirty, did everything work as planned? This info could help those more knowledgeable than myself give you some direction.

Scott

[BobF]

For what you're looking to do, I'd suggest that a wired remote is the better option. I, personally, wouldn't trust a wireless connection for delayed start timelapse.

[Squawk7777]

Thanks for your replies. The camera stays on for a couple of hours (~ 6 hours) although I don't think the length of the "awake" time plays a role.

I have also hard wired the remote (which you can do). I haven't seen any differences in reliability.

I'll have more time later on this month for more trials. Stay tuned!

[dsargent77]

I have the sony a55 as well. I will admit, while usally that sleep mode comes in handy when forgetting to switch off the camera, that must be so frustrating for time lapses in situations like yours! I was going to get an intervelometer soon and wanted to try my own. Post here again when you find a solution to your problem. Sorry I had no relevant help :L

[AstroImager]

Guess I'm lucky all my Canons allow me to turn "Auto Power Off" to "Off," so they don't shut off...
Just FYI, leaving the camera on but not doing any autofocusing or shooting (just sitting idle) doesn't run down the battery very quickly. Your camera can sit there for many hours on a fully charged battery, doing nothing, and not have a problem. I get battery grips for all mine (which hold 2 standard batteries), and use them for hours-long astrophotography...two batteries in my 5D Mk II or T2i will let me shoot with either of them all night long, doing pretty much continuous exposures all night 5-10 minutes at a time. AF eats batteries (since it has to drive a motor), as does the LCD display, so turn *those* off and your camera can go for a very long time.
I've seen some threads where the a55 auto power off can be flaky combined with the setting for the EVF/LCD...you might want to research that a bit. If you're keeping either the EVF or LCD on, *those* will eat your battery up fast, and apparently are related to whether it will auto power off and/or "wake up" or not.

Paul

[drh681]

Yeah I'd start by reviewing the power settings for your camera.
But I also think if this is an important or ongoing project; you might invest in what ever Sony has that does the same thing.
Often such "issues" disappear when you change to the proper system tools.