Storm clouds over the Gulf of Mexico

**Rich Z** · 10-03-2011, 03:37 AM

Here are some more time lapse videos taken from Manasota Key Beach of storm clouds developing over the Gulf of Mexico.

navy2kcoupe · 10-03-2011, 09:22 AM

It's very interesting to see the clouds forming up and changing shape like that
on time lapse. Some of the changes even look like explosions! What kind of
camcorder do you have that lets you take time lapse videos?
Andy.

**Rich Z** · 10-03-2011, 01:37 PM

I use Panasonic camcorders. Don't remember the model number off hand, but I do remember that I had to order them directly from Japan because that model wasn't available here in the USA. Oh, here's the box on the shelf here in my den. HDC-TM350.

I actually have two of them. That way I can set one up for long term time lapse, and then have another one available to hand hold or set up differently. For the sunsets, I often would set up both camcorders, one set up at 1 frame per second, and the other at 1 from per 10 seconds. It's difficult to predict which setting will look most dynamic for the upcoming sunset.

I think they are actually more expensive now than when I bought mine, otherwise I'd be tempted to get a third. There were several times on vacation that I sure wish I had had a third unit.

navy2kcoupe · 10-03-2011, 03:38 PM

Thanks, Rich! Those look like some nice units and are supposed to get 12 hours of
recording on the internal memory. Don't know if that's true or not, but it sure beats
the heck out of 1 hour on a tape!
Andy

**Rich Z** · 10-03-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navy2kcoupe

Thanks, Rich! Those look like some nice units and are supposed to get 12 hours of
recording on the internal memory. Don't know if that's true or not, but it sure beats
the heck out of 1 hour on a tape!
Andy

Actually, with the 64gb internal memory, you can get 7 to 8 hours of HiDef recording. Which is likely MORE than you really can use up in a couple of weeks of actual shooting time.

Of course, the battery itself only lasts for just over 3 hours, so you need to have some spares with your.

I'm pretty pleased with this camcorders. Darn shame that everyone is doing away with the rear view screen, as I tend to use that most of the time when shooting. It's right difficult getting stable looking shots using the flip out screen and holding the camera at arm's length. With the rear sight screen, you can hold your arms close to your body to support the camera better.

So when these fail, I guess I'll have to find the same models as replacements.

navy2kcoupe · 10-04-2011, 07:31 AM

Looks like it's time for me to upgrade from my Sony! It's getting hard to find tapes
and it's 11 years old, so you KNOW it's big, heavy, and clunky!

Andy

**Rich Z** · 10-04-2011, 12:00 PM

But wait! There's more!

navy2kcoupe · 10-04-2011, 02:27 PM

Rich, does your camcorder have a provision to time stamp the videos? It would be
interesting to watch the hours and minutes tick by in the lower left or right of the
screen. Seconds would probably be useless...........
Andy

**Rich Z** · 10-04-2011, 02:59 PM

It date and time stamps the videos internally, but I'm not sure if it is just the date and time of initial creation, or a running count. This doesn't show up in the video itself when I view it in my editing program, however. Might just be a setting somewhere in either the camcorder or the program that I never bothered with, though.