New POTN cable release on its way!

[folville]

I have a couple of questions about its use though. How, for example, do most of you calculate exposure with a cable release + bulb exposure? Do you use stopwatches or something, or does the camera (in my case, 30D) itself have a little counter that ticks off the seconds on the upper LCD perhaps (not likely)? I'm most interested in using it for night sky shots with my 8mm fisheye; how can I possibly begin to know how long i'll need to leave the shutter open?

Also, I ordered this from the POTN shop a couple days ago, and I just checked today and saw that the order is still processing; I'm pretty anxious to start using my new toy! :D

Does anyone know how long I should expect it to take (both for processing and shipping)?

[picturecrazy]

It's all simple math.

Find an exposure you like that lets you use a fast shutter... like ISO3200 F/2.8 and lets say the shutter speed is 1 second. Once you have the baseline of approximately how exposed you want your scene, you just do the math from there.

every time you double the shutter speed, drop the ISO down one stop, or close down the aperture one stop. Keep doing that until you get the shutter speed you need.

[macroshooter1970]

which release did you buy........

you will see a timer on the top lcd screen, but since you will be in the dark it won't matter.

It's not all that hard to figure out once you start using it. Count in your head if it's a short time. If longer I guess you can use a timer of some sort.

For example, whenever I attempt lightning shot it around 1-7 seconds f5.6-8 range. If I try star trails, it could be 5-20 minutes at f5.6 - 8 range or so. Just practice and don't worry to much.

[folville]

All right, thanks for the exposure tips; that should put most of my worries at ease. I do wonder, however, how I'll be able to expose nighttime landscapes (i'm struggling to find an example right now) where the entire landscape is light up as if day and star trails are streaking across the night sky. I'd imagine these exposures would have to be hours long at a minimum; I believe I've seen some examples by Art Wolfe but with no exif or setup data.

[macroshooter1970]

like this http://www.danheller.com/star-trails.html

[macroshooter1970]

http://starmatt.com/gallery/astro/starTrails.html

[TomHuckWa]

I dont know how long delivery takes, I ordered the 80n with a 25 foot extension 3 weeks ago, havent seen it yet, order is still processing according to my account info. Hmmm

[folville]

Whoa! Thanks for the links, arizona; those are exactly what I was hoping for!

hmm. That's a bit discouraging, TomHuckWa, that's the exact order that I placed, and I still see "processing" as my order status. I have no real concerns though, as I know the POTN Shop staff will take care of us, but I do wonder what kind of shipping is standard for that particular item. There was only one kind available, and I doubt it was U.S. Mail, as it'll probably come in a box, so I hope it's FedEx (they seem to be more reliable than UPS around here).

[TomHuckWa]

I have just the opposite experience here, the OOPS man is much more reliable than the fedex man. All depends on the individual. Anyhow, yes I have several straps purchased here, no problems, so figure its just a matter of having patience. I once prayed for patience. I said, LORD, please give me patience. AND I WANT IT RIGHT NOW!!!

[folville]

I have just the opposite experience here, the OOPS man is much more reliable than the fedex man. All depends on the individual. Anyhow, yes I have several straps purchased here, no problems, so figure its just a matter of having patience. I once prayed for patience. I said, LORD, please give me patience. AND I WANT IT RIGHT NOW!!!


hehe, I can see that I'm not the only one eagerly awaiting the cable's arrival... :lol:

What are the chances that I could damage my image sensor (by too long of an exposure from light spots) in this sort of long night exposure?