Intervalometer options for Nikon

[perkeleellinen]

Allow me to explain what I have in mind:

My wife is going to give birth this October at home and I'm going to be far too busy helping out to concentrate much on photography. I thought I could set up a camera on a tripod and use an Intervalometer to fire off the shutter every 15-30 minutes or so. Just set it up and forget it. It's going to be dim and the shutter speeds will be long but I may get some nice photos with a sort of ethereal nature.

What are my options? Currently I only have an FM2. I think I can attach a modern remote timer to an MD-12 motordrive, I think there's a much older dedicated Intervalometer which collectors may fetishise and maybe lastly there's a command back for a later electronic model such as the F90.

Is this a pipe-dream? Can I set this up cheaply?

Thanks!

 

[Jeff Bannow]

There are Chinese knock-off remotes for the various electronic Nikon bodies - I have one for the N90s. They are pretty cheap ($20-40).

However, I don't know anything about getting that to interface with an FM2.

 

[perkeleellinen]

That's good to know, I'll have to scour ebay. I think there's a cable which converts the ten pin socket to a two pin so that modern remotes can attach to the MD12.

 

[perkeleellinen]

I think the cable is the Dead Link Removed.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Just search ebay for MC-26 and you'll find the converters - they are around $7. Then get an intervalometer that matches the other end and you are all set. I got one for $23 shipped from ebay.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Thanks Jeff. I just searched a little on ebay for the MC-26 cord but found only one on US ebay for over $100 and one on German ebay for around €50. Annoyingly, a new one sold last month for £12. Maybe there are Chinese knock-off versions under a different name but all I could see were cables to connect Nikon intervalometers to Canon cameras.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I just searched for "MC-26" in Cameras.

I only see them adapting in the other direction at the moment as well. You could maybe contact the seller to see if he has other adapters.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

The other option would be to buy a N90s for $40 from KEH and use that connection. Might be cheaper / easier that way.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I believe the N90s data back actually has an intervalometer built in, in fact.

 

[perkeleellinen]

I think it needs the MF26 back. I've just seen one online for £79 (F90x + MF26). That may actually be the cheapest option and would free up the FM2 for hand held shots.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Dead Link Removed

$31 USD plus shipping across the pond.

 

[perkeleellinen]

Incredible price! With shipping it's $90 (£55), still a great deal.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

And they have lots more goodies for cheap, which probably won't increase your shipping much.

 

[tkamiya]

I'm wondering.... If you set it to shoot that far a part, what are the chances that "key moments" are actually captured? Or, that's not what you are wanting to accomplish??

 

[perkeleellinen]

No, it's not really about key moments - rather about trying to capture the process of labour in 36 photos. I might make a little book. The key moment photos will be shot on another camera.

 

[Chan Tran]

I don't know which of the Calumet store is near you but how about this thing. It's brand new and don't have to ship accross the pond.
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/calumet_pro_series_digital_shutter_timer_controller/cf0098

 

[segedi]

...trying to capture the process of labour in 36 photos.

Whoah, how fast do you expect the labor to be?!

 

[perkeleellinen]

Whoah, how fast do you expect the labor to be?!

My wife said the same thing! I told her I'd wait for the 'interesting' part in the last four hours!

 

[perkeleellinen]

I don't know which of the Calumet store is near you but how about this thing. It's brand new and don't have to ship accross the pond.
http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/product/calumet_pro_series_digital_shutter_timer_controller/cf0098

Thanks, I'm not sure how that would attach to my camera, though. I think I'd need the adaptor cable to convert the 10-pin plug to a 2-pin to fit into the FM2 motor drive. But there may be issues with male/female compatibility.