Long Exposures with 30D

I was wondering if it was "safe" to do long exposures with my 30D? I heard with slightly older cameras like my 30D it could ruin the sensor? Don't really want that now do I! Also if it can do long exposures (ie. bulb mode) how do you tell when to stop the long exposure?

Thanks!
-Collin

It is not dangerous. Get a b+w 10 stop and have some fun!

You won't damage the sensor as long as you're not doing something silly like taking long exposures of the sun. Are you thinking of night exposures?

The only way to tell how long the exposure should be is trial and error. For exposures longer than a minute or two you'll want a remote shutter control that locks. There are lots of cheap cord-type remotes on ebay. The more expensive model in the POTN store has had good reviews, but I've never tried it. I have a $5 cheapie.
http://www.procamerage​ar.com …/cPath/30/produ​cts_id/157

I often shoot 30 second exposures on my 20D and 50D.. No damage can be done..

I've done exposures of over 30 seconds regularly with my 20D and no harm ever came to it. As has already been said, short of long exposing something like the sun I don't see how you could reasonably damage it.

For a period I was regularly doing 15min+ exposures with my 1D and it's fine

Cool good to know I won't be hurting it! I have gone up to 30 seconds before but haven't really gone to bulb (lack or remote doesn't help either tho) because I was worried haha.

Thanks all! I do really want a 10 stop... Just don't know If I can justify the money spent to only use it from time to time. Nor what size to get so I can use it on all my lenses