How to shoot in Bulb mode

[Praful]

Well praful, you are superhuman I guess

Lol no that was not my point. I wanted to say that there are some situations where its possible. Like both the above shots have not been taken on a tripod rather by keeping them on top of something. Like the first one was kept on the top of a bridge and then being patient for the next 360 seconds!

When you move the zoom right, your focus also can move. Depends on lens to lens. Why did you move to 55mm to focus on moon? You can focus on moon even with a 10mm lens. The moon will appear very small, but you will see allright.

I don't focus on the moon, I focus on the brightest star in the sky at 55mm and then go back full wide at 18mm.
- Will the focus be better in this case rather than focusing on the moon?
- Will the focus change between moving from 55 to 18, as more or less the focus ring is going to be focused at infinity.

As for flimsy tripod, get a heavier unit, or dig it in. No way getting around that.

Tripods are so bloody expensive!

 

[tsk1979]

I don't focus on the moon, I focus on the brightest star in the sky at 55mm and then go back full wide at 18mm.
- Will the focus be better in this case rather than focusing on the moon?
- Will the focus change between moving from 55 to 18, as more or less the focus ring is going to be focused at infinity.

Trust me, focus on moon at 18mm, you will be better off. Also use F5.6 or narrower apertures, and slight focus here or there will not matter

Tripods are so bloody expensive!

Yes, the "brands" are. But just like you can get same quality clothes as big brands at 1/5th the price at local markets, you can also get tripods from lesser know companies at a fraction of the price.
Go to chandni chowk. 1400 INR will get you a very sturdy heavy tripod. The head motion may not be smooth, and the screws may look "cheap", but they get the job done.

 

[Praful]

Trust me, focus on moon at 18mm, you will be better off. Also use F5.6 or narrower apertures, and slight focus here or there will not matter

Will try that next time the skies open up here. Btw I just realized I've clicked shots mostly in moonless nights hence the need to look for the brightest star instead of the moon. Will try with the moon next time.

Yes, the "brands" are. But just like you can get same quality clothes as big brands at 1/5th the price at local markets, you can also get tripods from lesser know companies at a fraction of the price.
Go to chandni chowk. 1400 INR will get you a very sturdy heavy tripod. The head motion may not be smooth, and the screws may look "cheap", but they get the job done.

Yea the 'balls' and 'heads' and what not cost shit loads of money, while I have been using a el cheapo velbon tripod which costed me 1.4K bout 2 years back. Does ok for most conditions, except when its windy and there is no hook to weigh down the centre

 

[tsk1979]

There are tripods for 1.4K with center hook. I use a Vivtar, which has a center hook. Cost me 1.2K

There is slight play in the controls, and lack of finesse, but once you set it up for a landscape shot, it does not budge. I can weigh it down.
1.5K will get you even heavier version.

Ball heads are more complicated than 3-way heads, and they can creep with a heavy zoom if not built properly.

 

[GulzarSethi]

Go to chandni chowk. 1400 INR will get you a very sturdy heavy tripod. The head motion may not be smooth, and the screws may look "cheap", but they get the job done.

Greetings Tanveer... Thanks for this wonderful information... I am planning to buy one for my Panny FZ35, shall I ask for any specific name/Brand... and when you say "Heavy Tripod" you mean 2kg+ or something... Thanks in advance.

 

[tsk1979]

For panny FZ-35 light ones will do.
Anyways, I am thinking of selling my semi-light vivitar. Its too light for my d7000+70-300VR.

 

[GulzarSethi]

For panny FZ-35 light ones will do.
Anyways, I am thinking of selling my semi-light vivitar. Its too light for my d7000+70-300VR.

Thanks for replying Tanveer... Is it my lucky day??

 

[oriole12]

Won't lower density pixel hamper the ultmate pic?
Have always wondered why 5dMkII produces gem of images despite being LPD?
Baffled as ever will be..

This may help
EOS 5D vs. EOS 20D - Full Frame vs. APS-C Sensors - Bob Atkins Photography

 

[dheerajsharma14]

Great info. Tanveer... Thanks for the share. BTW, can you please suggest suitable exposure times for relevant scenes like city nightscapes, star trails (with / without moon etc), traffic trails etc.... I guess I mean to say, how do we decide or predict the suitable exposure time for a shot in Bulb mode... do you have any bench marks or its hit and trials and then learning as you shoot...

 

[nitin_lko]

Won't lower density pixel hamper the ultmate pic?
Have always wondered why 5dMkII produces gem of images despite being LPD?
Baffled as ever will be..

Well as far as I understand, ISO setting is how fast you want the light to be absorbed by the sensor.. So if that is true bigger pixels on big area would consume it faster than same amount of pixels in cramped area.. and hence the difference in pic quality..Please feel free to correct . But this is what I understand..