Newbie question.

[retro]

I went camping this weekend and with my new Rebel discovered two things. Actually three...
1) Glad that I bought the battery grip right away.

2) Realised that for prolonged exposures I need a cable to avoid "shaking" pictures and ...

3) I don't know what the little blinking circle in my viewfinder is. It would not let me take the picture. I was in manual mode and shooting in very low light. I was trying different exposure times and ISO setting to get rid of this light, but nothing. Any help? I also wonder what the maximum esposure time is of my camera. Can you set it to manual unlimited? I mean by this holding the button until desired. Thanks for the help.

[PacAce]

I went camping this weekend and with my new Rebel discovered two things. Actually three...
1) Glad that I bought the battery grip right away.

2) Realised that for prolonged exposures I need a cable to avoid "shaking" pictures and ...

3) I don't know what the little blinking circle in my viewfinder is. It would not let me take the picture. I was in manual mode and shooting in very low light. I was trying different exposure times and ISO setting to get rid of this light, but nothing. Any help? I also wonder what the maximum esposure time is of my camera. Can you set it to manual unlimited? I mean by this holding the button until desired. Thanks for the help.

The little blinking circle means that the camera could not focus on the subject and, unless you're in AIServo mode, it won't let you take a picture.

THe maximum length of time the shutter will stay open is 30 seconds. If you want to keep the shutter open for longer than that, then you have to set the camera to Manual and then set the shutter to Bulb. Then the shutter will stay open for as long as you have the shutter button pressed all the way.

[retro]

Most helpful!

[Andy_T]

Check whether the Rebel has a self-timer or remote control.

That way, you won't need to buy a cable release.

Best regard,
Andy

[where1]

Check whether the Rebel has a self-timer or remote control.

That way, you won't need to buy a cable release.

Best regard,
Andy

Yes, it has both. Of course you need to purchase the RC, and the reciver is on the front of the camera.

[PhotosGuy]

The little blinking circle means that the camera could not focus on the subject and, unless you're in AIServo mode, it won't let you take a picture.

You can put the cam on manual focus, too.

[Persian-Rice]

For long exposures, for the time being, I set my camera on a 10 second timer, hit the shutter button and wait, that way you get no shake.

This is unless you are not willing to wait the 10 seconds.

[retro]

How do I set it to "bulb" for the higher exposure time?

[Jesper]

How do I set it to "bulb" for the higher exposure time?

Set the camera to Tv or M mode and turn the wheel to select the shutter speed, the setting past 30 seconds is the bulb setting. See the manual of your camera...

[DocFrankenstein]

I just finished experimenting with a pseudo cable release.

Go to a dollar store
Buy a cell phone hands free kit (pick the one with the super small headphone jack)
Cut off the cable just below the mike
Strip some wire off the ends of the cable...

I didn't put it together, but you have 2 ends of wire sticking out of 2 cables. Just connect the cables which are the closest to each other. One will be autofocus, the other one is the shutter release.

I am gonna buy a box and 2 buttons to make myself a nice cable release.

This idea isn't mine. If you search 300D release on google, there's gonna be a few pages describing how to connect the wires together properly. :roll:

[retro]

Thanks for the advice. I checked the two settings "TV" and "M" and found only Manual (M) can do bulb setting for unlimited exposure. Thanks once again.