Question 1

How do you calculate timelapse interval?

Accepted Answer

Timelapse interval depends on how fast your subject is moving and how long a clip you want to produce. For slow subjects like clouds, stars, or fog, intervals of 5 to 30 seconds work well. For faster subjects like traffic or crowds, 1 to 3 seconds is more appropriate. The key relationships are: total clip duration = (number of frames / output frame rate), and number of frames = (total shooting time / interval). TriCast calculates all of these together so you can work backward from the clip duration you want to the interval and shooting time you need.

Question 2

How many photos do you need for a timelapse?

Accepted Answer

For a 10-second clip at 24fps, you need 240 frames. For 30 seconds at 24fps, you need 720 frames. The shooting time required depends on your interval: 240 frames at a 10-second interval requires 40 minutes of shooting time. At a 30-second interval, the same 240 frames require 2 hours. TriCast calculates total frame count, shooting time, and storage requirements in one step.

Question 3

How much storage does a timelapse need?

Accepted Answer

Storage depends on file format and resolution. A RAW file from a 24MP camera is typically 25 to 40MB. A JPEG from the same camera might be 5 to 10MB. For 500 frames at 30MB per RAW file, that's 15GB of storage. For longer timelapses or higher resolution cameras, storage requirements grow quickly. TriCast calculates estimated storage requirements based on your camera and file format so you know whether your card has enough space before you commit to a long session.

Question 4

What frame rate should I use for timelapse?

Accepted Answer

24fps produces the most cinematic feel and is the standard for most timelapse work. 30fps is common for content destined for social media or broadcast. 60fps produces smoother motion but requires significantly more frames and storage. The choice of output frame rate directly affects how many photos you need for a given clip duration, which is why it's one of the primary inputs in the TriCast timelapse calculator.

Timelapse Calculator

What TriCast Calculates

Starting Points by Subject Type