discussion / Camera Traps  / 20 May 2021

Time lapse camera: recommendations needed

Hi, I need a good model with time lapse to take pictures in the rainforest. Any thoughts? I never used time lapse before on CT's. I am looking at the RECONYX HP2X HYPERFIRE 2 PROFESSIONAL. Anyone has experience with it?

Thank you very much. Ivonne




Hi,

Not exactly what you asked for, but if you're after very high quality photos at moderate cost you can take a look at chdk.  You may already own a suitable camera, but you may want to get an underwater camera housing for it.

Thanks,

-harold

I haven't played around with this a lot but I've used the older Reconyx HC500 & 600 for timelapse and prefer those over any of the (inexpensive) Brownings I've used. Main difference and (what I'd focus on) is those Reconyx simply take normal pictures at the designated times whereas the Brownings record smaller images in a special format (.TLS file) that runs through their player, which I find lacking in quality but convenient for simple conversion to video, GIF, etc. Browning TL also only operates during daylight in any of the models I have. Both will also capture anything that triggers while set for TL but again Reconyx will be regular images and Browning will be imbedded in the TLS (until night time/IR, when it will function normally but no TL).  I have an HP2X that I can verify works like the older ones.

Hi Ivonne,

I remember looking at some Bushnell user manual (for some degradation study) and seeing a time-lapse mode, without trigerring in between images ; this could be an option too (cheaper than Reconyx).

Hi Ivonne,

I have used Reconyx as timelapse and camera traps for many years. They are very reliable but the image quality is not the best - though it may be better than many other trail cameras.

If ultra high quality imagery is a must, consider using a DSLR og mirrorless camera in a waterproof housing.

https://www.harbortronics.com/ makes high end housings, power systems and time lapse controllers for this. Colleagues of mine have used these in rough environments with good succes.

A downside with this approach is that it will either setup for day or night use.

If you are going for a Reconyx, I would consider one of the Ultrafire models, as they have a higher resolution than the HyperFire 2. 

Cheers,

Lars