Longer K-x shutter speed?

J-nny · 12-30-2010, 07:15 PM

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Hello everyone.

I got a K-x for Christmas and it is my first SLR. So far I quite like it! I'm hoping to take a shot that essentially shows the stars shifting overnight, but it seems the maximum shutter speed is 30 seconds. Is that correct? Is there any way to override this?

Thanks!

Ira · 12-30-2010, 07:24 PM

Look in the manual for B--bulb--setting.

**birdman59** · 12-30-2010, 07:29 PM

You can use bulb mode, but you may want to invest in a remote. B & H has them for around $20.

Ubuntu_user · 12-30-2010, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by birdman59

You can use bulb mode, but you may want to invest in a remote. B & H has them for around $20.

or you can buy the chinese version for $3!

J-nny · 12-30-2010, 07:50 PM

Originally posted by Ira

Look in the manual for B--bulb--setting.

Originally posted by birdman59

You can use bulb mode, but you may want to invest in a remote. B & H has them for around $20.

Thanks, guys, for the responses! The problem with bulb mode for my purposes is that the shutter button must be depressed for as long as I want the shutter to be open. Would a remote solve that?

Also, here's the excerpt from the manual for any Google traffic with the same question.

Originally posted by Page 103:

Using Bulb Shooting
This setting is useful when shooting night scenes and fireworks which require the long exposures.

Set the mode dial to M.

=================================================
Turn the e-dial and set the shutter speed to Bulb.
Bulb appears after the slowest shutter speed (30 sec.).
Press the shutter release button.
The shutter remains open as long as the shutter release button is kept pressed.

(K-x manual - pdf)

Wordslinger · 12-31-2010, 05:54 AM

You would still have to hold the button until you wanted the shutter to close. It just means that you won't have any shake introduced into the image by holding the on-camera shutter button. It is standard for a camera to go no higher than 30 seconds shutter speed. How long a shutter speed are you looking for?

kari · 12-31-2010, 06:58 AM

No, there is a setting where you can press the shutter button to open and then press again to close in Bulb mode. Works nicely with a remote.

GibbyTheMole · 12-31-2010, 07:14 AM

The cheap Chinese remote I have for my K100D has a lock on it. You press the button to open the shutter & slide the button up to lock it open... Slide it back & release it to close the shutter. Here's the one I have:

Shutter Release Remote Cord For Pentax K20D K10D K-7 K7 - eBay (item 350280894779 end time Jan-12-11 06:27:38 PST)

Cheers & happy new year,
Bobbo :-)

kbrede · 12-31-2010, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by GibbyTheMole

The cheap Chinese remote I have for my K100D has a lock on it. You press the button to open the shutter & slide the button up to lock it open... Slide it back & release it to close the shutter. Here's the one I have:

Shutter Release Remote Cord For Pentax K20D K10D K-7 K7 - eBay (item 350280894779 end time Jan-12-11 06:27:38 PST)

Cheers & happy new year,
Bobbo :-)

This won't work for the K-x since there's no where on the camera to plug it in, wish there was.

bnorikane · 12-31-2010, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by kari

No, there is a setting where you can press the shutter button to open and then press again to close in Bulb mode. Works nicely with a remote.

Kari is correct. I think this might be the default when using the remote in Bulb mode.

You can set this in the Menu -> C2-> 12. Remote Control in Bulb

Works great. First click opens shutter; second click closes.

p. 81 in Kx manual

12-30-2010, 07:15 PM	#1
J-nny New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2	Longer K-x shutter speed? Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hello everyone. I got a K-x for Christmas and it is my first SLR. So far I quite like it! I'm hoping to take a shot that essentially shows the stars shifting overnight, but it seems the maximum shutter speed is 30 seconds. Is that correct? Is there any way to override this? Thanks!

12-30-2010, 07:50 PM	#5
J-nny New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ira Look in the manual for B--bulb--setting. Originally posted by birdman59 You can use bulb mode, but you may want to invest in a remote. B & H has them for around $20. Thanks, guys, for the responses! The problem with bulb mode for my purposes is that the shutter button must be depressed for as long as I want the shutter to be open. Would a remote solve that? Also, here's the excerpt from the manual for any Google traffic with the same question. Originally posted by Page 103: Using Bulb Shooting This setting is useful when shooting night scenes and fireworks which require the long exposures. Set the mode dial to M. ================================================= Turn the e-dial and set the shutter speed to Bulb. Bulb appears after the slowest shutter speed (30 sec.). Press the shutter release button. The shutter remains open as long as the shutter release button is kept pressed. (K-x manual - pdf)

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12-30-2010, 07:24 PM	#2
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Look in the manual for B--bulb--setting.

12-30-2010, 07:29 PM	#3
birdman59 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Marietta, Oh Posts: 116	You can use bulb mode, but you may want to invest in a remote. B & H has them for around $20.

12-30-2010, 07:46 PM	#4
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Originally posted by birdman59 You can use bulb mode, but you may want to invest in a remote. B & H has them for around $20. or you can buy the chinese version for $3!

12-31-2010, 05:54 AM	#6
Wordslinger New Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 20	You would still have to hold the button until you wanted the shutter to close. It just means that you won't have any shake introduced into the image by holding the on-camera shutter button. It is standard for a camera to go no higher than 30 seconds shutter speed. How long a shutter speed are you looking for?

12-31-2010, 06:58 AM	#7
kari Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 142	No, there is a setting where you can press the shutter button to open and then press again to close in Bulb mode. Works nicely with a remote.

12-31-2010, 07:14 AM	#8
GibbyTheMole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Iowa Photos: Albums Posts: 2,275	The cheap Chinese remote I have for my K100D has a lock on it. You press the button to open the shutter & slide the button up to lock it open... Slide it back & release it to close the shutter. Here's the one I have: Shutter Release Remote Cord For Pentax K20D K10D K-7 K7 - eBay (item 350280894779 end time Jan-12-11 06:27:38 PST) Cheers & happy new year, Bobbo :-)

12-31-2010, 07:29 AM	#9
kbrede Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Nebraska Photos: Gallery Posts: 327	Originally posted by GibbyTheMole The cheap Chinese remote I have for my K100D has a lock on it. You press the button to open the shutter & slide the button up to lock it open... Slide it back & release it to close the shutter. Here's the one I have: Shutter Release Remote Cord For Pentax K20D K10D K-7 K7 - eBay (item 350280894779 end time Jan-12-11 06:27:38 PST) Cheers & happy new year, Bobbo :-) This won't work for the K-x since there's no where on the camera to plug it in, wish there was.

12-31-2010, 09:08 AM	#10
bnorikane Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 91	Originally posted by kari No, there is a setting where you can press the shutter button to open and then press again to close in Bulb mode. Works nicely with a remote. Kari is correct. I think this might be the default when using the remote in Bulb mode. You can set this in the Menu -> C2-> 12. Remote Control in Bulb Works great. First click opens shutter; second click closes. p. 81 in Kx manual