Need long exposure with SX10

milaf · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

Sorry, but i'm brand new here, and I dont know how to make a new message!
So , since I have a Canon SX10IS camera, I thought this might be a appropriate place to ask my question.
I want to take a picture of the night sky with stars and I need a 30 seconds exposure.
But the camera is maxed at 15 seconds.
Is there a way to manually keep the lens opened for more than 15 seconds?

Thank You
Michel

Jon · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

Simple answer to the first question - at the top of every Forum (not thread) is a link (

) for starting a new topic.

Second answer is a little more complicated:

Don't trust the camera's meter when trying to photograph stars, planets, or other point light sources. It'll try to expose the black sky correctly and that doesn't work.
For planets, remember "Sunny 16" (shutter speed of 1/ISO at f/16). For stars start there and work down.

imjason · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

you can use an alternate firmware such as CHDK to set a shutter speed slower than 15 seconds. google CHDK and you should find it. its called canon hack developer kit. check it out, there are plenty of other features too such as shooting raw. raw could be beneficial for long exposures for better post processing and noise control.

milaf · 19th of May 2012 (Sat)

Thank You to both of you for your answers.
I looked in on the CHDK ands I think that I will be able to find what I need there!
Thank's again for your answers.

milaf · 31st of May 2012 (Thu)

IMJASON, thank you for that CHDK firmware connection.
This is a really great find. I have been playing around a bit with the different options offered and this really gives you a new freedom as to what you can do with your camera!

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#1
milaf Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 3	Need long exposure with SX10 Sorry, but i'm brand new here, and I dont know how to make a new message! So , since I have a Canon SX10IS camera, I thought this might be a appropriate place to ask my question. I want to take a picture of the night sky with stars and I need a 30 seconds exposure. But the camera is maxed at 15 seconds. Is there a way to manually keep the lens opened for more than 15 seconds? Thank You Michel __________________ Michel

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#2
Jon Moderator Cocker Spaniel Mod Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Kensington, MD USA Posts: 65,124	Re: Need long exposure with SX10 Simple answer to the first question - at the top of every Forum (not thread) is a link () for starting a new topic. Second answer is a little more complicated: Don't trust the camera's meter when trying to photograph stars, planets, or other point light sources. It'll try to expose the black sky correctly and that doesn't work. For planets, remember "Sunny 16" (shutter speed of 1/ISO at f/16). For stars start there and work down. __________________ Jon ---------- EOS, Powershot and Domke - it doesn't get any better than this! T90 and stuff \| F-1n, New F-1, FTb and more stuff out on loan Cocker Spaniels Maryland and Virginia activities *DC Cherry Blossoms* Image Posting Rules and Image Posting FAQ Report SPAM, Don't Answer It! (link) PERSONAL MESSAGING REGARDING SELLING OR BUYING ITEMS WITH MEMBERS WHO HAVE NO POSTS IN FORUMS AND/OR WHO YOU DO NOT KNOW FROM FORUMS IS HEREBY DECLARED STRICTLY STUPID AND YOU WILL GET BURNED.

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#3
imjason Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,566	Re: Need long exposure with SX10 you can use an alternate firmware such as CHDK to set a shutter speed slower than 15 seconds. google CHDK and you should find it. its called canon hack developer kit. check it out, there are plenty of other features too such as shooting raw. raw could be beneficial for long exposures for better post processing and noise control. __________________ Canon gear: Canonet QL17, SX230HS, S95, SD1200IS Non-Canon gear: D600, D5000, D70, XG-2, U20 Flickr

19th of May 2012 (Sat)	#4
milaf Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 3	Re: Need long exposure with SX10 Thank You to both of you for your answers. I looked in on the CHDK ands I think that I will be able to find what I need there! Thank's again for your answers. __________________ Michel

31st of May 2012 (Thu)	#5
milaf Junior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 3	Re: Need long exposure with SX10 IMJASON, thank you for that CHDK firmware connection. This is a really great find. I have been playing around a bit with the different options offered and this really gives you a new freedom as to what you can do with your camera! __________________ Michel

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