intervalometer
Low (Specialist Term)Technical, Professional
Definition
Meaning
A device, often used in photography, that measures and controls time intervals, typically to trigger a camera at set intervals.
Any timer or control mechanism designed to operate a device at precise, regular intervals. While primarily photographic, the term can conceptually apply to other technical or scientific equipment requiring periodic actuation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a technical noun. The concept is often built into modern cameras as 'interval shooting' or a 'timer function', making the standalone hardware less common. The 'meter' part relates to measuring time, not distance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. The device and term are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialist in both UK and US English, confined to photography, cinematography, and scientific imaging circles.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to use an intervalometer for + [gerund/noun phrase] (e.g., for creating a time-lapse)to connect the intervalometer to the camerato set the intervalometer to [time interval]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in sales of photographic equipment.
Academic
Used in technical papers on photography, remote sensing, or scientific imaging.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context. Discussed in photography manuals, cinematography guides, and scientific equipment specifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The advanced system can intervalometer the exposures automatically.
- [Note: Extremely rare verb use, not standard]
American English
- The firmware allows you to intervalometer the sequence. [Non-standard]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The intervalometer function is accessed via the menu.
- He preferred an intervalometer cable to a wireless system.
American English
- Check the intervalometer settings before starting.
- The intervalometer mode is under the drive settings.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [A2 level sentences are not feasible for this highly technical term.]
- [B1 level sentences are not typical for this highly technical term.]
- For the sunset time-lapse, I set my intervalometer to take a photo every five seconds.
- Many modern cameras have a built-in intervalometer.
- The researcher employed an intervalometer coupled with a digital SLR to document the slow germination process over several weeks.
- A critical flaw in the experimental setup was the inconsistent timing of the external intervalometer.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of INTERVAL-O-METER: a meter (measuring device) for intervals (of time).
Conceptual Metaphor
A METRONOME FOR SIGHT. Just as a metronome marks regular intervals for sound, an intervalometer marks regular intervals for capturing images.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как "интервалометр" — это калька. Стандартный технический перевод — "интервальный таймер" или "реле времени".
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'intervalmeter' or 'intervolometer'.
- Confusing it with a light meter or exposure meter.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I will intervalometer the shot').
Practice
Quiz
An intervalometer is most closely associated with which activity?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A self-timer triggers the camera once after a delay. An intervalometer triggers the camera repeatedly at defined intervals over a period.
Many modern DSLR and mirrorless cameras have an intervalometer function built into their software. For older cameras or more advanced control, an external hardware intervalometer is used.
Its primary use is for creating time-lapse photography or cinematography, where a sequence of images taken over time is compressed into a short video.
Conceptually yes—any device needing precise periodic triggering. Practically, the term is overwhelmingly used in imaging contexts. In other fields, terms like 'programmable timer' or 'sequencer' are more common.