Time-Lapse Package

Are there slots/holes to output cables?

The housing is made of solid fiberglass, so it can be machined as needed. We currently add a 'gland' for the solar panel cable, and any number of these can be added for round cables. Holes for some odd cables can simply be sealed with RTV Silicone Rubber.

Can we output a signal to a computer to put pictures up on the web?

We have designed the system to be autonomous, for good reasons, and don't really have any 'hooks' for this. Also, it appears that some cameras don't like to have USB powered while taking pictures... connecting to a computer full time might be a problem.

Comparison of Image Transfer Options

The Time-Lapse Package comes with a pair of SD cards so that when the first card is nearly full, you can swap in the empty card, bring the full card back to your office, and download the images. This is the most efficient way to transfer image data, because you don't have to wait on-site for the ima...

Configure an Eye-Fi Pro X2

If you have a Wi-Fi network within range of your Time Lapse Package, the Eye-Fi Pro X2 card can be used to upload images over the network.

Configure Eye-Fi Pro X2

  1. Plug the Eye-Fi card into your SD card reader (or use the included one).
  2. Navigate to its folder on your computer and open the STAR...

Could you please tell us how to configure the DigiSnap to take pictures on a daily schedule?

The Advanced Time-Lapse process is what you need. Connect the DigiSnap to a terminal, and start it up. You should see a menu presented on the screen.

From the main menu, set the operating mode to ATL... [command M].

Enter the ATL menu... [command A].

There are 8 sequences that you can confi...

Cyclapse vs Time-Lapse Package

The Time-Lapse Package is a product originally developed in 2003, using a mix of off-the-shelf components and custom designed electronics and mechanical pieces. The design was intended to satisfy the need for an autonomous time-lapse camera system that would endure the outdoor elements all over the ...

Digisnap 2700 User's Manual

Digisnap 2700 User's Manual

Do I need to reprogram the DigiSnap in case of power failure?

The DigiSnap will retain its settings through any power failure, but the internal time-of-day gets reset to midnight each time the power is cycled.

Do you have any references from experienced users as to reliability and user friendly status?

We have a policy of not subjecting our customers to questions like this. I know it irritates me when people ask me to refer their product or company.

However, we've been doing business on the internet for almost 10 years now, with literally thousands of customers all over the planet. If you can f...

Do you lease or rent this equipment out?

Sorry, we design, manufacture, and sell the equipment, but we do not rent it out. You might suggest our product(s) to a local camera supply / rental company... you are not the only one to ask us!

Does the DigiSnap 2100 run off the large lithium battery as well or is it run from it's small internal battery? If it is from the small battery, should I replace it with a lithium battery if I want to be assured it is not going to run out over the period of many months?

The large Lithium-Ion Polymer battery will power everything!

If you've installed an internal AAA battery for configuring the DigISnap away from the housing, please remove it when using it in the housing. The external power will 'fight' with the battery, and end up making a mess.

By the way, th...

How close can the recommended camera & lens focus?

It will focus to about 4-5 inches at wide angle.

Huawei E355 with Time-Lapse Package Cellular Network option

The Huawei E355 is an HSPA+ modem with built-in WiFi access point. It is powered via 5V from a USB connector (a compatible power supply is supplied with the Time-Lapse Package Cellular Network option). An Eye-Fi Pro X2 card can connect to it via WiFi to upload photos over a cellular network.

The ...

I was taking some interval photos from the inside the building to record the sunrise. I get the sun reflection and glare in the window. Do you have any suggestions how to eliminate that (polarizing filter for the camera or something similar)?

Glass reflections are going to be an issue in many setups. Polarizers might help... worth a try! Fundamentally though, it's a tough problem. Minimize the distance from the lens to the window, use black felt to mask areas around the lens, etc. Clean the windows as much as possible, try to shade the s...

I work with the University of XXX and do educational work. Are you able to provide any educational discount?

A great number of our systems go to universities, so there is no particular discount available there, but we can do purchase orders with universities. We are able to offer a quantity discount (and can even apply that to prior purchases if you remind us).

I'm wondering if the fiberglass housing would be available in some color other than white?

The housing only comes in one color, but since it's fiberglass and not plastic, you can paint it any way you'd like!

Is there a heater for the glass?

No... heat = power, and lot's of it! With the internal dessicant pack, you should not have any frost build-up on the inside, and if you shield the front of the box, you can minimize external frost. Some photographers in the Arctic have noted some pleasing effects as the frost builds and dissipates, ...

Is there a way to start an ATL sequence after the desired 'Start' time? So if I set a 6am – 6pm active period and start the sequence ‘during this time’ it appears to do nothing until the next day.

You can program multiple sequences to start at various times during the day. You don't need to make them contiguous either, you can set them to end at the same time. Once a sequence starts, the DigiSnap doesn't look for any other start times until that particular sequence ends. This means that overl...

Let's say that I want to replace the memory card in the camera after a week. I disconnect the digisnap from the camera (because I have to take the camera out of the box) and replace the card. Do I have to reprogram the digisnap or it will continue taking pictures as previously programed?

The cables should be long enough to remove the camera sufficently to remove the card. Once running, as long as you don't disconnect power to the DigiSnap, it should continue forever... regardless if the camera is attached.

Our site will have AC power available. Do we really need the internal battery pack?

It certainly is possible to power the system from AC, but I strongly recommend to our customers that they avoid any dependence on available utilities, and consider the camera system an independent element.

There are few places that will have 100% reliable AC power over the long period of an inter...

Rather than removing the memory card each time to extract the images, can we simply leave the USB cable attached to the camera?

Certainly, but as always, there are some slight complications. The camera will go to 'sleep' between pictures, if the interval is long enough, to save power. If the camera is asleep, it might not wake up when you connect the USB cable to your computer. You may need to cycle the power on the camera, ...

The camera seems to be working intermittently, what should I check?

Most likely, its a configuration issue with the DigiSnap. When the DigiSnap wants to take a picture, it sends a signal to the camera, which electronically presses the camera's shutter release button. The camera may be asleep between pictures, so that signal has to be long enough for the camera to wa...

Time-Lapse Package Manual

Time-Lapse Package: Cellular Network option

While the Time-Lapse Package was originally designed to be autonomous, requiring no connections to mains power nor networks, it is possible to add the capability to transfer images via the cellular telephone (3G/4G) network. With the Cellular Network option, we provide the same WiFi memory card used...

We would like use our existing camera (i.e. Canon Rebel, Nikon D80, whatever) in your Time-Lapse Package. Is this possible?

Each time we've worked with a customer that wanted to use their own camera, we've run into additional difficulties, slowing everything down, and creating multiple shipments. While we are happy to sell the package without the camera, I would ask that you send us your camera so we can make sure everyt...

Will your all-in package operate in UK (240 volt mains) or does it operate solely from battery? And can you ship it here?

The Time-Lapse Package is designed to be autonomous, and operate from the internal battery, kept in charge by a solar panel. We can install an AC adapter (110-240VAC) in place of the solar panel if you like, so that AC keeps the battery charged. We ship all over the world... literally. Shipping to...