Originally posted by Rondec I really don't understand the idea of not wanting to carry another accessory around -- it isn't like these are going to be "spontaneous" shots. A two or three minute exposure isn't going to happen out of the clear blue. You are out there shooting with an SLR and a sturdy tripod. How hard is it to stick a remote in your bag or pocket to take with you?.
At night, I'd like the option to carry nothing but the tripod with camera attached. Now I need to add on some device as a timer and an IR remote. More things to worry about when I'd rather keep things as simple as possible. More things whose batteries can die, who can be left at home by mistake, who can be left in a pants pocket to go through the wash by mistake, or who can be dropped in the long, tick filled grass in the dead of night.
I am used to carrying a dslr and the crap-ton of little accessories that tend to go with it, but that doesn't mean I like the little things.
I really don't understand the apparent opposition to a simple programmable bulb mode or extending the exposure lengths on the dial. Some version should be pretty easy to implement (the CHDK firmware for some Canon cameras allows extra long exposures) and it's another feature that could be ignored by anyone who doesn't care.
Originally posted by Rondec And in point of fact, unless you use the self timer option, your shots are going to be better using some type of remote than they will if you push the shutter button with your finger anyway.
For the long multi minute exposures, the 2-second timer is usually sufficient for the start of the frame (I wouldn't say no to a longer option here, or make the 12 second delay also engage the mirror lock up at the start - I'd take this as another menu setting to enable
). If the camera could also end the exposure when I want without me touching it, without an extra accessory, all would be great.
It's too bad an 'à la carte' firmware would be an impracticable solution. I'd pay $5 for a programmable bulb mode. I'd pay another $5 for the flash to fire at any shutter speed (and no, I'm not expecting it to sync at any shutter speed for $5, just fire). I could save a few bucks with all those silly filters, HDR, and a bunch of other stuff I've never looked at