time exposure on the 20 D

[gramps]

Am I missing something? I know how to do a bulb exposure but how do you do a time exposure on the 20 D without holding down the shutter button? I gues what I'm getting at is if I want to do a 10 minute exposure of the stars can I with the 20 D (besides holding the shutter button in "bulb")? Is the only way to do it is to use the TC 80N3 remote?

[DReb-MO]

Am I missing something? I know how to do a bulb exposure but how do you do a time exposure on the 20 D without holding down the shutter button? I gues what I'm getting at is if I want to do a 10 minute exposure of the stars can I with the 20 D (besides holding the shutter button in "bulb")? Is the only way to do it is to use the TC 80N3 remote?

One word... BULB!

[Jim_T]

[
One word... BULB!

Yes.. Bulb is just that..... An open ended exposure.. If you could set a fixed exposure time, then it wouldn't be bulb :)

The remote is the best way to go.. Not only for holding the shutter open for long periods, but also to minimize camera shake.. especially with longer lenses..

[Doom1701e]

I dont think there is any way to leave the shutter open without holding down the button in bulb mode. I would suggest the TC-803 (I think that is the model, the digital remote release). It might be pricy but you can shoot long exposure and it even has a timer that might go up to 10 minutes (I have never gone that long) There are also several other modes to the remote release that might be useful. Check it out. I love this remote, use it all the time!

[PhotoManMike]

Hi Gramps,

Don't overlook the RS-80N3, which costs about 1/3 of what the TC-80N3 costs. Its release button can be locked down for bulb mode, but the downside is that you have to keep track of the time yourself. That's obviously not as accurate as the built-in timer in the TC-80N3, but for astrophotography, you're not going to split hairs over +/- a couple of seconds either way. I got a digital timer from Radio Shack for about $15 to help with timing the exposures (cat# 63-878).

Regards,
Mike

[Claytonian]

I have been looking into the two canon remotes that work for the 10D/20D. I would have loved the TC-80N3 simply because it is such a cool little gadget (it goes much longer than 10 minutes by the way...99 hours I believe, plus it has a lot of other functions). In the end, though, I couldn't justify the cost for now, so I decided to go with the RS-80N3. Still, 50 bucks is still a little pricey for a simple cable release, so I checked Ebay. There is a seller there that sells a 3rd party version of the RS-80N3 for only $15. That's what I went with since I might upgrade to the TC remote some day. The 3rd party remote comes from China I believe so it will take a few weeks to get here (I just ordered it last week). I will let you guys know how it is when I get it.

[gramps]

yesterday I went CRAZY & NUTSO and called B & H!!!!!!!! Not only ordered the TC-80N3 but also a couple of lenses. When the remote gets here and "tested" I'll let you know how it is.

[Deckyon]

I have both remotes. I like the RC for simple anti-shake exposures for over 1" but not bulb, with camera on tripod or for macro/product/studio shots.

I use the TC for longer exposures in the BULB function. I like the timer feature rather than having something else to keep track of time.

I use both alot.

[Doom1701e]

yesterday I went CRAZY & NUTSO and called B & H!!!!!!!! Not only ordered the TC-80N3 but also a couple of lenses. When the remote gets here and "tested" I'll let you know how it is.

I know your going to like the TC-80N3. Your going to want to read the manual first, there is quite alot to that remote. It is almost as complicated as the camera (well it isn't that bad). :)

[gramps]

yesterday I went CRAZY & NUTSO and called B & H!!!!!!!! Not only ordered the TC-80N3 but also a couple of lenses. When the remote gets here and "tested" I'll let you know how it is.

I know your going to like the TC-80N3. Your going to want to read the manual first, there is quite alot to that remote. It is almost as complicated as the camera (well it isn't that bad). :)

damm........that's scary, the 20D manual is one of the first manuals I've ever read (or at least partially).