you have
QUESTIONS
we have the answers, here
Our Afidus operation video and tutorial series is just getting started. We are pleased to present our first major tutorial highlighting all the essential elements within the camera's setup and walk you through the app feature by feature. Click on the YouTube icon to see an index in the description which will allow you to jump to the content you want to see.
With mindful camera set up and double checking the settings, your time lapse video will be a success. The information screen (i icon on the live preview) allows you to quickly review and verify all of the settings, which provides a great checklist before any project. The in app time lapse calculator feature is a WIN in our book by ensuring you capture the perfect amount of footage for your project. We look forward to posting quick specific vids and will share more soon.
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Image Alignment
Image alignment is a unique feature only found in the Afidus ATL-200. Removing the card to download or changing batteries may require require moving the camera. Image alignment builds a wireframe overlay based upon a snapshot taken before the camera was moved. With a visual reference is is easy to reposition the camera in exactly the same position for seamless capture.
Timer & Schedule
The Afidus ATL-200's app based timer and day-of-the week schedule, eliminates unnecessary editing. Capture working hours only and avoiding weekends greatly speeds up your editing workflow.
Time Lapse Calculator
Your capture interval is one of the most important variables, capturing too often you may have an editing nightmare, if the interval is too high you will not have enough content. Finding the perfect balance is easy with the Afidus ATL-200. Select your project duration, enter an interval and the finish video length will be displayed. Adjust the interval so you capture the exact amount of desired content.
Macro & Zoom
The Afidus ATL-200 offers a 16-35mm (full frame equivalent) optical zoom lens and macro capabilities. Achieve DSLR quality results with a $399 camera. There is no need to buy expensive gear, worry about weatherproofing or shutter life. Macro time lapse made easy.
Changing the WiFi password
Afidus continues to be very responsive to the ongoing software updates on all platforms
and Government Mandated Security Requirements, we appreciate your patience.
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In firmware update to 3926 the Manufacturer default password of 12345678 must be changed to a password of your choosing.
This video takes you through the process.
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Cameras purchased from us at Timelapsecameras.com have their password set to 87654321.
Frequently Asked Questions
Battery
How long is the Afidus ATL-200 battery life?
What brand of batteries do you recommend?
The battery cartridge orientation sticker fell off, how does the cartridge fit in the camera?
Look in the camera's battery compartment and notice the two terminals. The battery cartridge has two stacked terminals which are flush with the plastic. These two terminals must match up with the camera terminals.
Is the camera weatherproof?
The camera is weatherproof without the need for an additional housing. The rating is IP65, which means it is dust tight and can withstand rain from any direction.
What are the external power requirements?
Micro-USB 5 Volts / 1.5 Amps. Any micro-USB phone charger or wall adapter should work. However, we see little reason to use external power. The camera is capable of extremely long run times and external factors are more likely than premature battery failure. We have seen cameras moved, painted over, knocked from their mounting location, etc. It is better to be safe than sorry and check your camera when convenient.
How is the camera's cold weather performance?
Running Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries with a capture every minute, 12 hours a day we had a camera survive the polar vortex running for 50 days non-stop. During this period the temperature fluctuation was -40 to +40F. Cold weather greatly affects battery life, standard AA batteries start losing power at around 30F. With temperatures below 30F we recommend lithium batteries and check our cameras more frequently. When the temperature dips below 0F we try to check our cameras after an extreme cold snap.
The manufacturer specifications are -4F - 122F (20C - 50C). We like to base all of our testing on real world examples.
Is there a way to connect the cameras to an AC power source rather than batteries, or in addition to batteries?
You can use a power source, most micro-USB charger will work, however, the cam will NOT be weatherproof. We typically don't recommend external power as it's better to check your cameras occasionally than to leave them for an extended duration.
Firmware and Wi-Fi
I forgot my custom Wi-Fi password, how do I reset it without having access to the app?
Have the a micro-USB cable handy...
Step 2: Press the power button continuously.
Step 3: While holding the power button, plug in external power (micro-USB).
Step 4: The camera will begin beeping and the LED will flash, wait until beeping and flash stop
Step 5: The reset is complete, you will need to forget the existing camera network from your mobile settings and the default password will work (12345678)
My camera is recording, but I can't access the Wi-Fi.
If you are actively recording and the green LED is flashing every five seconds, you must stop the recording to turn on the Wi-Fi. Press and hold the power button until the camera beeps and you have a solid green LED, now you camera's Wi-Fi is active.
If you still can't connect to Wi-Fi, the battery level is likely low.
I can't connect to the camera's Wi-Fi or my Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting.
Battery levels are a common reason for Wi-Fi connection issues. The camera requires 3.8 Volts to establish and maintain a connection. When there are many networks available maintining a connection may be challenging. Put you phone into Airplane mode before connecting to the camera's Wi-Fi. Airplane mode typically always improves connection stability.
How do I update my camera's firmware?
The process is very easy. If you see an update notification switch to your local network Wi-Fi or turn off the camera. Tap on the firmware icon on the first app screen and download the firmware to your device. Reconnect to your camera and tap the fly-out menu and the FW Upgrade button will load the firmware onto your camera. After two series of beeps, reconnect your camera and you'll be set with new features.
What is the current firmware?
As of August, 2020 the current firmware is 4334 for ATL-200 and ATL-201 models.
App questions
What is the default app password?
Afidus Cameras shipped from direct from TimeLapseCameras have a new password set to 87654321.
Where do I download the Afidus Time-Lapse Camera App?
IOS users may download it at: https://apps.apple.com/tr/app/time-lapse-afidus/id1268938155
Can you control the camera from a laptop?
At this time, you can not control the camera from a computer, it must be done from the Afidus Time Lapse app on your IOS or Android phone.
What does Custom Day do?
Custom Day comes in handy if you had a week long project, but couldn't return to the camera for a month. You could set seven days and the camera would stop recording after a week, eliminating all of the additional files.
My camera wont connect to Wi-Fi or my App stalls.
For a stalled app. Simply close the App and start it up. This refreshes it
Settings > Camera> and "forget" the existing Wi-Fi connection in your Wi-Fi settings
Recording
How do I know if my camera is recording?
My camera's LED is red (solid or flashing).
If your camera's batteries are low the LED will flash every 10 seconds. If you don't have an SD card installed the LED will be solid red.
My camera is not recording?
Typically there are two reasons you camera may not be recording. Most common your SD card is full, check the card level in the upper right of the app or the very handy information screen (i) icon in the top left of the preview window. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8OYlvluAOA&t=410s
The other likely reason is you have selected the wrong recording mode, for example Snapshot which is for capturing a stop motion animating by pressing the power button to capture a frame. Please review the recording modes here, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8OYlvluAOA&t=438s
Footage
My preview is pink or I have a pink or odd color video.
For odd color videos, chances are you have the wrong white balance setting selected. Please view this portion of our tutorial dealing with white balance settings.
My footage appears to flicker, why?
Afidus Cameras capture using an auto-exposure. Clouds can be especially challenging. Last time we checked there are no ways to prevent clouds from occuring. Rather than a constant capture, the camera has to assess the scene every time a frame is captured. A cloud over the sun may cause an exposure change which may appear to be dramatic given the time interval.
Changing light levels are challenging for DSLRs too. If your exposure is set for blue sky, when a cloud passes, it may be too dark. Please check your latest firmware to ensure that it is installed. This will hopefully give you better results, if not, there are third party software solutions which can help reduce time lapse flicker, we use this and we are happy to assist you with a clip or two. https://www.digitalanarchy.com/Flicker/main.html
Is there a third party software available to help with footage flicker?
We have used https://www.digitalanarchy.com/Flicker/main.html
Can the camera record individual JPGs for a timelapse?
At this time the camera records only in .mp4 format. The majority of our users want the simplicity of a final video and don't want to deal with individual frames. We wouldn't expect an individual photo option to be available in the future, however, Afidus is very receptive to customer input and we will share this request with them.
Basic Information
Where is my camera Serial Number?
The camera serial number is located on the bottom and the back sides of the camera. This is currently a series of ten numbers near a bar code.
How do I use the Image Alignment tool?
In the event you need to move the camera or it has been accidentally moved from the original location the Image Alignment tool is a handy feature to re-align with your previous posting location.
What size card should you use?
Your camera ships from us with a 16GB card. The camera may accept cards up to 128GB, although not all manufacturer brands have been tested. In most cases, a 64GB will be more than enough for your monitored project.
Can I view the images from your timelapse camera close-to-real-time? Remotely from my office? Or must I gather the images manually via the memory card to view/worth with them.
The Afidus camera is a great tool for capturing long term time lapse action on a budget. Remote access is something we have been working on with Afidus and eagerly looking forward to.
Remote access is typically not found in turn-key solutions until you get to the $3,000 - 5,000+ range or more, plus a monthly service fee.
If you don't require remote access, Afidus cameras are a low cost solution to cover multiple areas of your work site. Some of our customers use an Afidus for time lapse and security cameras for remote viewing. The Arlo Go seems to be the most popular choice. https://www.arlo.com/en-us/products/arlo-go/default.aspx
We are testing an Enlaps system which has great potential, but it has a definite learning curve. https://enlaps.io/?lang=en
I am happy to discuss your options options over a call, even if you are considering a solution from another source.
How do I download to phone?
There are times in the field when you may want to use the 'Download to Phone' feature of the Afidus Time Lapse camera system. I.e. When the action was too good not to share immediately on social media. Or when you need to immediate review the footage for a longer capture.
Error Codes
Snapshot Receive Fail
ERROR: Please enter the correct value.