Long Exposure shots on the D40?

[Patm1313]

Ok, I wanted to try my hand at long exposure shots using my D40, but the bad news is, it has no cable release port. So, I was wondering how I could get long exposure shots on it. It's lowest shutter speed is 30 seconds, so that doesn't help.

Any ideas on how to get long exposure shots?

 

[epp_b]

Dial it one more time to the left to put it into "BULB" or "--" mode. You need to be in M mode to do this (I think S may work as well).

To do long exposures properly, you'll need the [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Wireless-Control-Digital-Cameras/dp/B00007EDZG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1222566625&sr=8-1]ML-L3[/ame] wireless IR remote to avoid camera shake from pressing the shutter.

 

[Patm1313]

Dial it one more time to the left to put it into "BULB" or "--" mode. You need to be in M mode to do this (I think S may work as well).

To do long exposures properly, you'll need the ML-L3 wireless IR remote to avoid camera shake from pressing the shutter.

Do I have to hold the button on the ML-L3? Because the way my BULB works is that it must be held down to keep the shutter open.

 

[Garbz]

Nope the wireless remote works in what used to be called T mode where it's click to start, click to end.

Failing that I've had acceptable results using a rubber band to hold down the shutter. (We got creative when my remote broke during a nighttime shoot)

 

[Mitch1640]

or you could set the self timer to 2 seconds with the 30 second exposure, unless your going for something longer then that.

 

[andrew99]

What the other guys said.. My only tips are to use the lowest ISO (200 on this camera), and turn off noise reduction, that will eliminate the huge delay after the shutter closes.

 

[LoganJ]

or you could set the self timer to 2 seconds with the 30 second exposure, unless your going for something longer then that.

Using the self time might be a good alternative like Mitch suggested.

 

[Patm1313]

Using the self time might be a good alternative like Mitch suggested.

I'm going for something much longer than 30 seconds.

 

[Phranquey]

I'm going for something much longer than 30 seconds.

How long?? If you start getting above 30 seconds, even at the lowest ISO, you are likely to begin building noise very quickly, and it usually compounds itself the longer you go. You may be better off taking multiple images and combining them.

 

[epp_b]

Just a note: the D40's shutter will remain open for a maximum of 30 minutes.

 

[Garbz]

Really? That sounds good. The 350D's shutter will stay open for as long as you want, burning out the sensor and a costly repair not withstanding

 

[keystervr6]

Just a note: the D40's shutter will remain open for a maximum of 30 minutes.

with the remote, the sutter will stay open till you close it :thumbup:

 

[reg]

with the remote, the sutter will stay open till you close it :thumbup:

Have you tried it for more than 30 minutes?

 

[chrisburke]

with the d40 you just put it in M mode and turn your dial all the way down to bulb... it works great.. and with the remote, it opens when you hit the button, and it closes the next time you hit it... dont forgot though.. long exposures take a long time to process..

 

[reg]

To do long exposures properly, you'll need the ML-L3 wireless IR remote to avoid camera shake from pressing the shutter.

Or the "mirror lock up" on some cameras that's really just a couple second delay.