Timed exposure with a digital SLR ??

podge · 13th February 2008, 19:21

Hi guys, I am used to longish timed exposures with my old steam FM2n, now can anybody tell me if it is possible to do exposures of 5seconds up to 20 minutes on a digital SLR? Can you lock the mirror up? My concern is running the battery down, on the Nikon I lock the shutter open and put a mask on the front of the lens(telescope) and carefully remove, time exposure put mask back on , then release the shutter...stops mirror return vibrating camera.The other thing is when coupling camera body to 'scope is there a problem of dust on the ccd, I get rid of dust on the 35mm with a blower brush.Sorry its a lot of info but all comments welcome, thanks.Peter

smcaul · 13th February 2008, 19:48

Yep, both my D40 and my D200 will do timed - you have to set it to "Bulb" and manually time it iirc, but easy enough to do, I think the d200 has other ways of doing it as well, but has been a while since I last used that function!!!

pmessling · 13th February 2008, 19:54

yeah you definately can with the Canon Eos range as well.

Keith O · 13th February 2008, 19:57

Just a quick reply from me as I have to dash.

Yes, mirror lock up is available on some digital SLRs. I can say from experience that the Nikon D200, D300, and D2 series feature Mirror lock up and you can us it as you describe. The D3 has it too but I have no ownership experience of that baby (yet!). Obviously other cameras systems may well have it too.

Battery life is an issue but not for exposures of 20 minutes, they should be fine. The camera will also do a "dark frame" version of the shot of the same length exposure and use this to subtract noise from the first exposure automatically. Remember there is no reciprocity failure with digital so maybe your exposures will be shorter.

Blower brush can be used for sensor cleaning. Don't use any old junk brush though as it will distribute rubber bits just where you don't want them. Use a Giotto's Rocket Blower ( less than a tenner) and keep it in a sealed bag when not in use.

Dust spots can be removed automatically when using Nikon Software - either the excellent Nikon Capture 4.4 on the older models or the slower Capture NX that is currently available. Just shoot RAW and shot a "Dust off reference photo." Or remove dust spots in RAW converter if you can clone it and apply to multiple images, eg Adobe Lightroom.

Hope this helps.

Keith.

podge · 13th February 2008, 20:42

Thanks for that guys,Keith I use a Giotto Rocket at the moment , thing is I have allways fancied an F5 but its all going the pixel way at the moment, just love my old Nikkor AI lenses(all manual prime).I have to use an eyepiece magnifier, cannot find a diopter corrector that works so it looks like autofocus is going to be the only option long term.I cannot fault Cannon, just allways liked Nikon.On a different note, for those who like land/sea scapes have a look at "themagicofcornwall".....have'nt managed the "linky" thing yet....but I'm getting there!!

GreyGhost · 16th February 2008, 12:15

The Magic of Cornwall on Podges behalf:-

http://www.themagicofcornwall.com/

podge · 16th February 2008, 21:43

Thanks for that....North Cornish Coast is our 2nd home.........wish we could afford one there!

13th February 2008, 19:21	#1
podge I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer CDT CLUB SE Copper Red Mica Dec 01 ....now deceased....replaced by2003 Royal Blue T Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North Warnborough, Hampshire Posts: 2,398 Thanks: 9 Thanked 69 Times in 20 Posts	Timed exposure with a digital SLR ?? Hi guys, I am used to longish timed exposures with my old steam FM2n, now can anybody tell me if it is possible to do exposures of 5seconds up to 20 minutes on a digital SLR? Can you lock the mirror up? My concern is running the battery down, on the Nikon I lock the shutter open and put a mask on the front of the lens(telescope) and carefully remove, time exposure put mask back on , then release the shutter...stops mirror return vibrating camera.The other thing is when coupling camera body to 'scope is there a problem of dust on the ccd, I get rid of dust on the 35mm with a blower brush.Sorry its a lot of info but all comments welcome, thanks.Peter

13th February 2008, 19:54	#3
pmessling Posted a thing or two TVR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: West london Posts: 1,084 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	yeah you definately can with the Canon Eos range as well. __________________ Peter Essling Project carbon fibre well under way http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m.../Logo_260s.gif http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m...ner468x60b.gif

13th February 2008, 19:48	#2
smcaul Loves to post Rover 75 Saloon CDT Club Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southampton Posts: 481 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yep, both my D40 and my D200 will do timed - you have to set it to "Bulb" and manually time it iirc, but easy enough to do, I think the d200 has other ways of doing it as well, but has been a while since I last used that function!!!

13th February 2008, 19:57	#4
Keith O Avid contributor Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SOUTHAMPTON Posts: 150 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Just a quick reply from me as I have to dash. Yes, mirror lock up is available on some digital SLRs. I can say from experience that the Nikon D200, D300, and D2 series feature Mirror lock up and you can us it as you describe. The D3 has it too but I have no ownership experience of that baby (yet!). Obviously other cameras systems may well have it too. Battery life is an issue but not for exposures of 20 minutes, they should be fine. The camera will also do a "dark frame" version of the shot of the same length exposure and use this to subtract noise from the first exposure automatically. Remember there is no reciprocity failure with digital so maybe your exposures will be shorter. Blower brush can be used for sensor cleaning. Don't use any old junk brush though as it will distribute rubber bits just where you don't want them. Use a Giotto's Rocket Blower ( less than a tenner) and keep it in a sealed bag when not in use. Dust spots can be removed automatically when using Nikon Software - either the excellent Nikon Capture 4.4 on the older models or the slower Capture NX that is currently available. Just shoot RAW and shot a "Dust off reference photo." Or remove dust spots in RAW converter if you can clone it and apply to multiple images, eg Adobe Lightroom. Hope this helps. Keith.

13th February 2008, 20:42	#5
podge I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer CDT CLUB SE Copper Red Mica Dec 01 ....now deceased....replaced by2003 Royal Blue T Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North Warnborough, Hampshire Posts: 2,398 Thanks: 9 Thanked 69 Times in 20 Posts	Thanks for that guys,Keith I use a Giotto Rocket at the moment , thing is I have allways fancied an F5 but its all going the pixel way at the moment, just love my old Nikkor AI lenses(all manual prime).I have to use an eyepiece magnifier, cannot find a diopter corrector that works so it looks like autofocus is going to be the only option long term.I cannot fault Cannon, just allways liked Nikon.On a different note, for those who like land/sea scapes have a look at "themagicofcornwall".....have'nt managed the "linky" thing yet....but I'm getting there!!

16th February 2008, 12:15	#6
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	The Magic of Cornwall on Podges behalf:- http://www.themagicofcornwall.com/

16th February 2008, 21:43	#7
podge I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Tourer CDT CLUB SE Copper Red Mica Dec 01 ....now deceased....replaced by2003 Royal Blue T Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North Warnborough, Hampshire Posts: 2,398 Thanks: 9 Thanked 69 Times in 20 Posts	Thanks for that....North Cornish Coast is our 2nd home.........wish we could afford one there!