Forcing the Shutter

Ribcracker · 03-04-2014, 06:11 PM

I'm trying to get a 30 second exposure of the night sky but can't get the shutter to trip unless I provide additional light.
Is there a way to force the shutter to open in near complete darkness?
Camera is Pentax Q in manual mode @ ISO 1600.

Adam · 03-04-2014, 06:13 PM

All you need to do is use M mode. That gives you full control of the exposure regardless of the ambient light.

Ribcracker · 03-04-2014, 06:29 PM

I am in M mode. No go! What might I be doing wrong?

**seventhdr** · 03-04-2014, 06:42 PM

Have you set the ISO manually or are you in Auto ISO (TAV) mode?

Maybe it's thinking that it is outside its metering range?

Have you used the self timer feature to trip the camera?

Regards

Chris

Ribcracker · 03-04-2014, 07:00 PM

I pressed the ISO button on the 4-way control wheel and the used the e-dial wheel to dial up to 1600 which is where it maxed out. Does that sound right?

Not a Number · 03-04-2014, 07:41 PM - **1 Like**

Did you enable manual focus? It may not have enough light to auto focus and won't expose unless in focus.

Ribcracker · 03-05-2014, 06:24 AM

I'll bet that's it!
I haven't been using manual focus because I can't see the monitor well enough to get a sharp rendering. But I'll experiment with that when it gets dark tonight.
Is there a way to focus to infinity without having to visually check the monitor?
I appreciate your advice, NaN. This may be my solution.
Thank you!

Ribcracker · 03-05-2014, 06:46 PM

That did the trick!
It was hard to get a perfect focus but at least it was good enough to trip the shutter. I took a half dozen photos and one is actually a keeper - at least until I can get a better one. The moon will set in a coupla' hours and I'll try again without the light pollution.
Thanks for your help. You nailed it!
Peace,
Bud

03-04-2014, 06:11 PM	#1
Ribcracker New Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 22	Forcing the Shutter I'm trying to get a 30 second exposure of the night sky but can't get the shutter to trip unless I provide additional light. Is there a way to force the shutter to open in near complete darkness? Camera is Pentax Q in manual mode @ ISO 1600.

03-04-2014, 06:13 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	All you need to do is use M mode. That gives you full control of the exposure regardless of the ambient light. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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03-04-2014, 06:29 PM	#3
Ribcracker New Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 22 Original Poster	I am in M mode. No go! What might I be doing wrong?

03-04-2014, 06:42 PM	#4
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,453	Have you set the ISO manually or are you in Auto ISO (TAV) mode? Maybe it's thinking that it is outside its metering range? Have you used the self timer feature to trip the camera? Regards Chris

03-04-2014, 07:00 PM	#5
Ribcracker New Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 22 Original Poster	I pressed the ISO button on the 4-way control wheel and the used the e-dial wheel to dial up to 1600 which is where it maxed out. Does that sound right?

03-04-2014, 07:41 PM - 1 Like	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Did you enable manual focus? It may not have enough light to auto focus and won't expose unless in focus.

03-05-2014, 06:24 AM	#7
Ribcracker New Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 22 Original Poster	I'll bet that's it! I haven't been using manual focus because I can't see the monitor well enough to get a sharp rendering. But I'll experiment with that when it gets dark tonight. Is there a way to focus to infinity without having to visually check the monitor? I appreciate your advice, NaN. This may be my solution. Thank you!

03-05-2014, 06:46 PM	#8
Ribcracker New Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 22 Original Poster	That did the trick! It was hard to get a perfect focus but at least it was good enough to trip the shutter. I took a half dozen photos and one is actually a keeper - at least until I can get a better one. The moon will set in a coupla' hours and I'll try again without the light pollution. Thanks for your help. You nailed it! Peace, Bud