Time Lapse Camera Mount

[Tremont]

I've been playing around with doing time lapse videos with my network webcam. Even at first pass, it's so freakin' neat (today I learned that my favia's actually kind of shrug to get rid themselves of sand that has collected).

So, now I want to try doing a really nice time lapse of coral growth over a month or so of time using my digital camera. I need to build some kind of unmovable/bomb proof mount so I can keep my camera still and pointed at the same piece of coral over a long period of time. Has anyone ever done this before and have suggestions?

-Tre

 

[IPT]

sounds cool. I'd set the tripod up on the side of the tank if at all possible. Less likey to get kicked or bumped. Hang some weights from the tripop legs for increased stability. Lock'er down at the ball head, set focus to manual, exposure to manual, shoot at the same time every day, be patient, and very careful not to bump the setup.

 

[Tremont]

I just caught this (keep an eye on the hermit crab at the top) with just my network webcam:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4860877065933246513&hl=en

-Tre

 

[surfy]

How many shots do you plan to capture each day? Are you wanting to do a picture a day type of thing, or many shots throughout the day?
I'm really curious about this as well. I have never tried it long term.

I would mark the floor where the legs of the tripod will sit just incase it gets bumped. Those little circle stickers used for yard sale price tags would work.

 

[Tremont]

I'm not sure how many shots. Depends on each capture I do. What I want is something setup that I can experiment with different shots. I am going to try to make a setup where I can just set a frequency or time and if it all go off automatically for however long necessary (ideally with the pumps being shut off in coordination with each shot).

I'm thinking of bolting a small/heavy tripod to my wall...but I'm guessing that won't be good enough (although maybe software can compensate for the jitter).

-Tre

 

[Recty]

Depending on the type of camera, you could just tape the thing to your fish tank, lens pressed flat up against the glass. Mine doesnt have a moving lens end, so it would work, but the cameras with a moving lens that wouldnt work on.