Astrophotography

[yanyewkay]

Other than the film bodies, are there any digital bodies that allow bulb exposure to infinity(or till batteries dead)?

Have only been able to do bulb exposures of only up to 30min with a D70.

[AJ23]

D2H, D2Hs, D2X and D2Xs can. And D2X/Xs can even set timing interval.

[djork]

Canon 20Da?

if you're into startrails specifically, i'm not too sure which can go all the way for hours. but if you're into other forms of astrophotography, u might wanna buy a 2nd hand (cheap) 300D, remove the IR filter to increase its sensitivity to hydrogen alpha at 653nm.

[TMC]

bodies capable of using remotes like MC 20 and MC36 type can take at infinity, but you will have to find a good spot that has a outlet nearby.

[yanyewkay]

Only pro bodies and switching camp ah? actually switching camp equally as expensive as a pro body for me now

Quote: bodies capable of using remotes like MC 20 and MC36 type can take at infinity, but you will have to find a good spot that has a outlet nearby.

that will mean I'll have to buy a remote in order to use infinity exposure? let me research what the MC20 & 36 is and how much it costs.

EDIT:
MC-20 discontinued: Able to set max exposure to 9hr 59mins.. I guess it's as good as infinity gets.
MC-36. The newer model compatible with D200, can't find max exposure time. Same as MC-20 i guess? costs $200+

[TMC]

If I am not wrong, MC20 can let you open indefinitely. MC36 should be able to do the same

[chngpe01]

Originally Posted by yanyewkay Other than the film bodies, are there any digital bodies that allow bulb exposure to infinity(or till batteries dead)? Have only been able to do bulb exposures of only up to 30min with a D70.

Is this question confined to only Nikon camera in which you are considering. If so this is the correct forum to post if not then I will move it to General Tech Discussion as it is more appropriate there.

To the others keep this discussion to Nikon, unless the TS is asking for other brand too.

[eugenep]

I m really curious is it advisable to use a DSLR to take long exposure shots, e.g long hours. I know the pro bodies got long battery life but wont the CCD burn out faster? and soon u may need to replace your CCD instead of a shutter. If you guys had try taking star trails, dont you feel your Dslr very hot??? please advise.

[zac08]

Originally Posted by eugenep I m really curious is it advisable to use a DSLR to take long exposure shots, e.g long hours. I know the pro bodies got long battery life but wont the CCD burn out faster? and soon u may need to replace your CCD instead of a shutter. If you guys had try taking star trails, dont you feel your Dslr very hot??? please advise.

Good question. I would like to inquire also the availability of using an external power source for such pictures. Would SD-8A's or Turbo 2x2, Turbo Quamtums be able to power the camera for such long exposure shots? Mebbe say an hour??

[eugenep]

turbo 2x2 is suppose to power your flash and body so i guess you can use it to power your camera. But the question is wont the CCD burn out and die faster???

[Francis247]

Originally Posted by eugenep turbo 2x2 is suppose to power your flash and body so i guess you can use it to power your camera. But the question is wont the CCD burn out and die faster???

Hi eugene,

I tried it before. For an exposure of 15 minutes and NR of another 15 minutes, the CCD will feel really hot. Not sure of the impact. Hope that it will not really affect it.

Some of my star trails photos can be seen here.

[eugenep]

Hi Francis,

i wanted to try long time before but a certain friend of ours told me not to do it because it will shorten the life of CCD. After thinking through, it seems logically right that the CCD like the shutter has life span too. If you use it continuous on its will simulate as if you have taken a few thousand shots with it.

Another question is will it cause die pixel or bright pixel after sometime... This is just something that is bugging me for sometime. Hope everyone can share their views.

[longkangman]

The heat generated is killing it.

YMMV

[Francis247]

Originally Posted by eugenep Hi Francis, i wanted to try long time before but a certain friend of ours told me not to do it because it will shorten the life CCD. After thinking through, it seems logically right they CCD like shutter has life span. If you use it continuous leaving it on its like you have taken a few thousand shots with it. Another question is will it cause die pixel or bright pixel after sometime... This is just something that is bugging me for sometime. Hope everyone can share their views.

Hi engene,

I also heard about that too. Guess that is the problem with digital format.
But based on my experience, one night alone, I got less than 10 shots. Exposure time is around 15 minutes with NR 15 minutes. Took almost 45 minutes for 1 shoot.

Hope that should be ok.

[zac08]

Originally Posted by Francis247 Hi engene, I also heard about that too. Guess that is the problem with digital format. But based on my experience, one night alone, I got less than 10 shots. Exposure time is around 15 minutes with NR 15 minutes. Took almost 45 minutes for 1 shoot. Hope that should be ok.

In that caase, wouldn't shooting film be safer for us and our pockets (in terms of equipment lifespan)

[Francis247]

Originally Posted by zac08 In that case, wouldn't shooting film be safer for us and our pockets (in terms of equipment lifespan)

Think so. Another alternative is to get a cheap digital body like D50 and shoot long exposure for astrophotography.

[Friday13]

So it time for Francis to buy a F5! Shiok Man!

[Francis247]

Originally Posted by Friday13 So it time for Francis to buy a F5! Shiok Man!

Don't think I will be going for film format.
I think I will keep doing night shoot and star trails with my digital format (D70s and D200) until something happens.
*Touch Wood*
Hopefully not.

[zac08]

Originally Posted by Friday13 So it time for Francis to buy a F5! Shiok Man!

FM better rite?? hehehe

Full mechanical

[Ian]

Originally Posted by eugenep Hi Francis, i wanted to try long time before but a certain friend of ours told me not to do it because it will shorten the life of CCD. After thinking through, it seems logically right that the CCD like the shutter has life span too. If you use it continuous on its will simulate as if you have taken a few thousand shots with it. Another question is will it cause die pixel or bright pixel after sometime... This is just something that is bugging me for sometime. Hope everyone can share their views.

Bringer of bad news here.....

Firstly the idea that a CCD's life will be shortened by continious long exposures is utter rubbish. CCD sensors are the preferred sensor technology for professional astrophotography cameras which have operational lives of tens of thousands of hours per sensor. Many professional observatory cameras spend upwards of 10 hours a night imaging (30-180 minute exposure) for 200 plus days a year with zero ill effects to the sensor. Many of the cameras are used for 15-20 years between replacement.

Commercial CCD astrocameras from the likes of sBIG and CMOS cameras from Starlight eXpress etc often use the same sensors as DSLR's again with lifetimes of tens of thousands of hours. My KAF400 CCD chip based astrocamera has over 5,000 hours of imaging on it while my older TC245 has over 9,000 hours.

Pixels "dying" is caused by either manufacturing faults or mechanical issues, not by long exposure photography.

Ian