An Electronic Control Unit for Time Lapse Cinematography giving Variable Exposure and Interval

Abstract

The control unit was built so that any ciné camera could be used to take single fram; exposures of living micro organisms under a microscope. The exposures and the intervals between exposures are variable, the latter being completely independent of the former.

For single frame exposures a Kodak electric release solenoid was used, this operating the release mechanism on the camera. When the solenoid receives a pulse it opens the camera shutter, a second pulse closes it and moves the film on to the next frame. Throughout the filming the microscope stage is illuminated by a strong source of light. To reduce the overheating effect a shutter has been built, which cuts off the beam during the interval between exposures.

The electronic control unit has the advantage of being small and costing only a few pounds to build.