exposure...

[Violet1991]

I don't know if this should actually go in lighting or not, but since it's not actually using lights, i guessed it was more of an equipment question...

Okay, I have a canon 350D, and I'm really really new to this, and I'm having a bit of trouble setting the exposure time (for use at night ect). I have found how to set it up to 30 secs, but any longer I can't figure out. And obviously at night, longer than 30 secs is going to be needed.

Could anyone let me know please?

Thanks for any help,

Vi x

[Jaz]

You need to use BULB mode for anything longer than 30 seconds.

I think if you turn to shutter priority, Tv, then scroll past 30 seconds B or BULB should display.

With BULB mode the shutter will stay open for as long as, and so long as, your finger is on the shutter button or a remote is pressed.

: )

[Jamieconverge]

do you have a bulb setting? that'll go as long as it can! you'll need a remote/cord (sorry, not canon so cant say which one for the 350) and for exposures in minutes you'll need a stopwatch/something to time and a few braincells to work out what the exposure would be from your meter settings.

what i normally do is see what the meter shows at say iso 6400 for shutter speed, then work out what it would need to be at iso 100 and set accordingly. with a 10 minute exposure for example, you dont have to be down to the second, but a stopwatch helps

[buckas]

shutter should count in seconds on the top display on the camera - does on my 30D

[Jamieconverge]

shutter should count in seconds on the top display on the camera - does on my 30D

really? you mean counts up on bulb? i did not know this, thats pretty cool!

[coldpenguin]

350d doesn't have an LCD on the top I think.
On my 400d, it counts up on the rear screen. I found it easiest to do this using a cheapo IR remote bought off ebay.
Set the camera to bulb as above. One click of Shutter on the remote to start, then a second click to stop.
Calculating the exposure time is another matter entirely though

[Violet1991]

Thanks, I'll have a look for the bulb setting. I've not come accross it before, so I hope I can find it.

Thanks for all your help,

Vi x

edit: found it, thanks very much problem solved!