Time Lapse on 40D: Options?

Hi! New member, so you'll forgive me if my idiot quotient is too high. Thrilled with my new 40D, and of course had to try and find something wrong with it! When using the bulb function, is there some way to keep the shutter open WITHOUT having to hold the button down? I want to be able to walk away from the camera during the exposure, then come back. (For things like drawing with light, etc.) After spending more than a grand on the camera, and another on a lens, I was hoping to avoid another equipment investment. Back in the day, I'd use one of those devices that screwed into the button area that would activate the shutter, then hold it, and you'd end the exposure automatically. Thanks!

Sounds like you're looking for a remote release cable. There are at least two different ones you can get for your 40D there's the standard one

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …emote_Switch_RS​_80N3.html
This one appears to be similar to the one for my XT in that I believe you can slide the button up and lock in place.

and there's the remote timer one
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …e_Controller_TC​_80N3.html

I have absolutely no clue what this one is capable of, since I don't have anything that can use this one. Perhaps someone else can explain the features of the remote timer better than I can.

EDIT: Apparently the remote timer will let you set the timer as long as 99hrs 57 min, some odd seconds. I would hope that that 4 day exposure works out for you

Hope this helps

Canon makes a remote that does this (RS-80N3). You may be able to find a third party one that's less expensive, I think I paid around US$30 for mine.

Exactly the information I was looking for, and in record time! I can't thank you enough. I guess I'm liking these Interwebs after all.

Check other threads posted here about the Phottix wireless. It does bulb mode as well.

The far more complex TC-80N3 can be used as a remote control, if you like. You can also lock the shutter button down with it, so you can walk away and come back later, to stop exposure.

What it adds is timing and counting. You can set the following:

1) Time from start to first shot taken.
2) Time between shots.
3) Number of shots (<100).
4) Duration of each shot (meaningful when using bulb).

Costs quite a lot, though.

There's a remote available from the POTN Shop (see link at top of every page), which you can order at the same time as you get the POTN strap for your new camera.

Do yourself a favor and get the Canon RS-80N3 first. Then experiment with wireless later.
The RS-80N3 will lock the shutter open, just press and slide the lock up. Come back and slide it down.