Longer than 30sec exposure?

[howtosee]

How do I take pictures with an exposure longer than 30 seconds with a canon 20D? Like say a 5 minute or more exposure?

[ssim]

Use the bulb setting and a watch. I've done it before this way and it works but you have to make sure that you are using a remote cable.

[howtosee]

The bulb setting? Sorry.... I don't know much about it yet.

[howtosee]

Never mind.. I got it. Thanks a ton dude.

[lancea]

If you want to go the technology way - then get yourself a Canon TC-80N3 timer/remote. See the review at www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/tc-80n3.shtml (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/tc-80n3.shtml). It's not only a realy neat gadget (best accessory I've ever bought), it's actually useful.

[Webster]

A five minute exposure on the 20D will produce LOTS of noise. Be sure to turn on long exposure noise reduction (C.Fn-02), and be prepared to wait the extra five minutes that it will take to do its job. Also, on the 20D the frame counter turns into a timer when doing bulb exposures, so you don't need a watch. And lastly I'll put in my plug for the TC-80NC. I don't use it too often, but when I need it, I'm sure glad to have it.

[sam bailey]

If you want to get around the noise (or greatly reduce it) then do what is done with long exposures for astrophotograhy. Take a number of shorter exposures and then layer them together in photoshop or equivalent software. Very simple. Many great pictures are done this way and use 40 to 50 seperate pictures. IF you would normally shoot a 5 min bulb exposure, you might want to try 5 one minutes as a starting point. Hope it helps. Neat Image can also be used to reduce the noise. It is great freeware.

[robertwgross]

From what Sam stated, I would add that you are not going to get perfect registration of 40 or 50 images unless you have a perfect, rock-solid tripod.

---Bob Gross---