SL3 - Dropped frames with interval shooting, Astrophotography

[baxterbradford]

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I'm consistently getting the above issue with my SL3, such that the interval shooting mode is inoperable and I have to shoot each frame manually. After 1 frame it starts taking the next and then I get the Dropped frames screen and have to 'OK' to clear. Ironic, since I am not finding the situation 'OK'! This has happened on each of the 4 different occasions I've tried to use it. 

It's the same interface as my M11-P and I used the same settings for both cameras. The M11-P was rattling the frames off last night as it should, but once again the SL3 downed tools. I've set cameras to make 15 frames with an interval of 2s and a countdown of 2s. FWIW, shutter speed for the M11-P was 8s and 15s for the SL3 so that I could use lower ISO. I was using 21mm Super-Elmar on the M11-P and WATE 16-18-21 on the SL3 with it set to manual exposure. 

Both cameras have latest firmware and no issues with memory cards etc. 

Any suggestions please to get the interval shooting to work correctly?

Edit:

I've just used the SL3 in daylight, same interval shooting settings, lens etc but using 1/60s for better light. It worked exactly as it should, so the problem seems to stem from the longer exposures in low light. 

Edited August 13, 2024 by baxterbradford

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[Photoworks]

Long exposures trigger a Noise reduction frame, doubling every exposure, can that be the case?

 

[baxterbradford]

2 hours ago, Photoworks said:

Long exposures trigger a Noise reduction frame, doubling every exposure, can that be the case?

 

Thanks for the suggestion, it wasn't doing the noise reduction frame whilst in single shot last night, being ready to shoot as soon as the exposure had finished. I've just got back to my camera and double checked. It's disabled in both single shot and interval drive modes. I know it oughtn't change, but I wanted to check to make sure before replying!

[wjdrijfhout]

How long are your exposures? The interval number starts counting from the start from the previous exposure. So if you have a 10s exposure with 2s interval, the camera already wants to make the next exposure 2s into the 10s exposure. That is the error message you’re getting. In this example, if you want 2s between photos, you would have to set the interval for 12s. 

Hope this helps.

[baxterbradford]

10 hours ago, wjdrijfhout said:

How long are your exposures? The interval number starts counting from the start from the previous exposure. So if you have a 10s exposure with 2s interval, the camera already wants to make the next exposure 2s into the 10s exposure. That is the error message you’re getting. In this example, if you want 2s between photos, you would have to set the interval for 12s. 

Hope this helps.

Thanks - the way it's implemented is different from the M11-P then, despite them having identical interfaces and instructions in the manuals!

I've now done a number of trials with the lens cap on since it's daylight now. The shutter speed was 15s, I am still getting dropped frames if I have interval at 16sie adding 1s. It stops after the 8th frame of an intended 15. If I use 17s then it completes the full 15 frame sequence. So now I can use these settings by adding on 2s to whatever my shutter speed will be. 

I'm unsure why it needs this time, doubt it's because of having to write file, since I'm using fast CF express card and camera set to M dng. 

[jiggyb21]

Once you understand that you need to add your time between frames to your exposure to equal your “interval” (As stated above 10 sec exposure + 2 sec interval = 12 sec “interval”) then the only thing I have found is the card. I have a Cf express card and Sd cards that work and ones that drop frames. It’s beyond annoying and there seems to be no rhyme or reason. In some cases, slower sd card work where faster ones don’t. I can tell you that the other night I shot 5 different 300 exposure time lapses without issue. 10 sec exposures and interval set to 11 seconds so almost zero down time. Good luck. 

[baxterbradford]

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Thanks  - interesting that you've found that 1s is sufficient between frames even when shooting that relatively huge number in the sequence. My SL3 seems to need 2s whereas the M11-P at same res into a slower card since it's SD is able to shoot frames with no gaps between!

I shoot precious little Astro and so the helpful replies to this post have enabled finding a workable solution for the SL3. Improvements via firmware updates would be welcome. After all I completed a pretty lengthy questionnaire on the interface a month or so ago. 

[Osirix]

On 8/17/2024 at 9:56 AM, baxterbradford said:

Thanks  - interesting that you've found that 1s is sufficient between frames even when shooting that relatively huge number in the sequence. My SL3 seems to need 2s whereas the M11-P at same res into a slower card since it's SD is able to shoot frames with no gaps between!

I shoot precious little Astro and so the helpful replies to this post have enabled finding a workable solution for the SL3. Improvements via firmware updates would be welcome. After all I completed a pretty lengthy questionnaire on the interface a month or so ago. 

Hello,

having had some similar issues and I have to say I did not thought the SD card could have been the culprit. I just abandoned the idea to shoot time lapses, mostly for the Northern Lights here in UK, but I'll be more than happy to give SL3 another go now ! Finger crossed.....