LRTimelapse Pro Timer 3.5: A Timelapse Photographer's Best Friend

At $199 — a $40 price drop from the previous version despite a significant build upgrade — the LRTimelapse Pro Timer 3.5 is either a genuine value improvement or a sign that the competition has arrived. Based on what Gunther Wegner shipped, it’s the former.

Why This Category Matters

Intervalometers are the piece of gear that separates a timelapse hobbyist from a timelapse photographer. The built-in interval timers in most cameras lack the precision and ramping capability needed for professional work — particularly day-to-night transitions where the exposure curve needs to follow a Holy Grail ramp rather than a hard step. Third-party triggers solve this, but most are built around compromises: fragile housings, unreliable firmware, or interval jitter that shows up as flicker in the final sequence.

What Makes It Different

The 3.5 updates the physical package in three meaningful ways. The 3D-printed chassis from earlier versions is replaced with an injection-molded housing that PetaPixel notes provides an improved feel and durability. The entire top surface is now covered by a glass panel, providing splash and light rain resistance — relevant for astrophotographers who regularly set up in marginal weather. Charging moves from micro-USB to USB-C.

Functionally, the 3.5 delivers millisecond-accurate intervals without jitter, interval ramping for day-to-night transitions, and a built-in OLED screen that doubles as a foreground flashlight for astrophotography setups. Battery life extends to approximately 20 hours or 20,000 exposures at a 4-second interval with the display on. Two cameras can be triggered simultaneously, and compatibility covers most DSLRs and mirrorless systems via cable release.

Creator Gunther Wegner explained the pricing decision directly: “I don’t believe in artificially inflating prices.” Production optimization on the new housing reduced costs while improving the product — a combination that rarely happens in camera accessories.

The Catch / Who It’s For

The release cable required for camera connection is not included and must be purchased separately — the specific cable depends on your camera model and connector type. It is a minor but notable omission for a device that only works when connected.

The Pro Timer 3.5 is the right tool for timelapse photographers and astrophotographers who want a single, reliable trigger that handles both interval precision and Holy Grail ramping without requiring a phone or laptop on location. It is not a casual accessory — at $199, it targets photographers for whom intervalometry is a core part of their workflow rather than an occasional experiment.

Source: PetaPixel

Content created with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.