Work backwards from finished duration and timeline fps, then confirm interval, battery, storage and exposure can all last for the required capture window.
Start with the finished clip
A ten-second clip on a 25 fps timeline needs 250 frames. The interval determines how much real time those frames cover: at a five-second interval, 250 frames span a little over twenty minutes. Planning in this order prevents returning with a sequence far shorter than the edit requires.
Choose the interval for the subject’s rate of change. Fast clouds or people may suit one to three seconds, while construction, plants or tides can use much longer gaps. The exposure must finish before the next interval, with enough time for the camera to write the file.
Storage is only one limit
Multiply frame count by average file size for a storage estimate. RAW files offer latitude when light changes, while JPEG uses far less space. Test a representative frame because detailed scenes and compression settings make file sizes variable.
Battery life, weather, tripod stability, flicker and accidental sleep settings are equally capable of ending a sequence. Use external power where appropriate, disable automatic power-off, protect the camera from conditions and avoid touching the support once capture begins.
Timelapse Planner
Plan interval, frame count, finished duration and approximate storage before leaving the camera to run.
Open the calculator