K20D and Long Exposures

Sol Invictus · 09-23-2011, 06:19 PM

This might be a dumb questions but, well, what else are these forums for?

The longest exposure possible on the K20D is 30 seconds. Anything longer requires B mode. I have a Pentax Remote Control F but it can get pretty difficult to hold the rubbery button down for longer than a few minutes. It seems every time I shift even a little bit the camera closes the shutter and all is lost.

Anyone have any suggestions or workarounds? Perhaps another remote? Rubber band and a brick?

Thanks!

SlickYamaha · 09-23-2011, 06:33 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sol Invictus

This might be a dumb questions but, well, what else are these forums for?

The longest exposure possible on the K20D is 30 seconds. Anything longer requires B mode. I have a Pentax Remote Control F but it can get pretty difficult to hold the rubbery button down for longer than a few minutes. It seems every time I shift even a little bit the camera closes the shutter and all is lost.

Anyone have any suggestions or workarounds? Perhaps another remote? Rubber band and a brick?

Thanks!

Should be able to change the menu to allow the remote to control bulb mode. Rather than hold it the entire time, you can click to open, click to close. Not sure what page its on as I just sold mine, but im almost positive you can do it.

RioRico · 09-23-2011, 07:27 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by SlickYamaha

Should be able to change the menu to allow the remote to control bulb mode. Rather than hold it the entire time, you can click to open, click to close. Not sure what page its on as I just sold mine, but im almost positive you can do it.

No such luck. The wireless remote has 3 drive modes: instant, 3-second delay, and continuous. I see nothing in the K20D manual (Wireless F, pp. 125-127; Menus, pp. 244-248) about changing the remote's behaviour. Just for ducks, I tried. FAIL! In B mode, Remote Continuous is disabled, and the instant and delay drives are only for holding the button down. For long exposures in B mode, you need a wired remote with a locking switch. Those are pretty cheap.

**interested_observer** · 09-23-2011, 07:37 PM - **1 Like**

I use my IR remote very little due to this and other problems. A wired remote shutter release is much better.

Aputure Camera Remote Shutter Release Cable 1c for Pentax K-5 K-r K-x K-7 K-m X70 X90 K200D K20D K100D Super K10D K110D K100D ist DL2 ist DS2 ist DL ist DS K2000 K-m Fully Compatible with Pentax CS-205 Contax LA-50

Mechanically, you can push the switch and slide it up to hold it for any period of time you desire. You can also go the intervalometer route providing Self-timer, interval timer, long-exposure timer, and exposure count setting features.

Amazon.com: GSI Super Quality Multi-Function Timer Remote Control Shutter for Pentax: Camera & Photo

**jac** · 09-23-2011, 07:58 PM - **1 Like**

Not that I've been able to find in the menu. Nor does p. 96? Of the manual indicate anythin but 'hold down'. Some other styles of remote do however allow you to lock the shutter. I normally use the Pentax wired remote but do have this:
Vello ShutterBoss Timed Remote for Canon with Sub-Mini RC-C1 B&H
It's got lots of bells and a few whistles I found to be overkill. Also, it's for Canon but works for Pentax. I found at first I had to wiggle it a bit to get it to contact perfectly but then discovered that by shaving a bit off the insulator on the end it popped it with no problems. O.K., it's $50. bucks but there are others out there.

philbaum · 09-23-2011, 11:14 PM - **1 Like**

I bought a cable shutter, Yongnuo XXX, for my K20 to get around the problem of having to hold the bulb shutter down. I think its well made for the price.

I got it off ebay, not sure of the cost, perhaps its $29 or something. but it has a mechanical lock for the shutter so one doesn't hold he shutter down. Plus it has electronic intervalometer controls. Turns out it is also compatible with the K5.

adr1an · 09-23-2011, 11:17 PM - **1 Like**

If you are handy, or know someone who is, with a soldering iron, its not hard to whip one up yourself: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/do-yourself/50945-diy-make-cable-release-your-k10d.html

Shouldn't cost more than a couple of dollars ($5 tops...)

Sol Invictus · 09-24-2011, 10:54 AM

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll look into getting a cable shutter release. I will investigate the different options and report back.

dosdan · 09-25-2011, 02:54 AM - **1 Like**

This Yongnu RS-802 wired remote control was dirt cheap on eBay. You can either push the gray button down to mimic the shutter realease button, or you can slide it upwards, as I've done here, to latch it down, so the red shows.

**LeoTaylor** · 09-28-2011, 05:35 PM - **1 Like**

As someone who took many hundreds of 2 minute astrophotos with a K110D rest assured I did not hold the button all that time.

At first I used the Pentax cable release, a bit pricey at $44. Simply a two step switch with a locking position. Then I switched to various timers that plugged into the Pentax. These allowed multiple images with a delay between them.

Be glad our older models have a jack for external shutter switch, some newer Pentaxs do not.

Sol Invictus · 09-30-2011, 09:53 PM

Update: I ended up buying a cable shutter release and as you can see it has worked great so far. Thanks for the advice!

09-23-2011, 06:19 PM	#1
Sol Invictus Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Calgary, Alberta Photos: Gallery Posts: 392	K20D and Long Exposures This might be a dumb questions but, well, what else are these forums for? The longest exposure possible on the K20D is 30 seconds. Anything longer requires B mode. I have a Pentax Remote Control F but it can get pretty difficult to hold the rubbery button down for longer than a few minutes. It seems every time I shift even a little bit the camera closes the shutter and all is lost. Anyone have any suggestions or workarounds? Perhaps another remote? Rubber band and a brick? Thanks!

09-23-2011, 07:37 PM - 1 Like	#4
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	I use my IR remote very little due to this and other problems. A wired remote shutter release is much better. Aputure Camera Remote Shutter Release Cable 1c for Pentax K-5 K-r K-x K-7 K-m X70 X90 K200D K20D K100D Super K10D K110D K100D ist DL2 ist DS2 ist DL ist DS K2000 K-m Fully Compatible with Pentax CS-205 Contax LA-50 Mechanically, you can push the switch and slide it up to hold it for any period of time you desire. You can also go the intervalometer route providing Self-timer, interval timer, long-exposure timer, and exposure count setting features. Amazon.com: GSI Super Quality Multi-Function Timer Remote Control Shutter for Pentax: Camera & Photo

09-25-2011, 02:54 AM - 1 Like	#9
dosdan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,741	This Yongnu RS-802 wired remote control was dirt cheap on eBay. You can either push the gray button down to mimic the shutter realease button, or you can slide it upwards, as I've done here, to latch it down, so the red shows. Attached Images Last edited by dosdan; 09-30-2011 at 11:07 PM.

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09-23-2011, 06:33 PM - 1 Like	#2
SlickYamaha Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bel Air MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 840	Originally posted by Sol Invictus This might be a dumb questions but, well, what else are these forums for? The longest exposure possible on the K20D is 30 seconds. Anything longer requires B mode. I have a Pentax Remote Control F but it can get pretty difficult to hold the rubbery button down for longer than a few minutes. It seems every time I shift even a little bit the camera closes the shutter and all is lost. Anyone have any suggestions or workarounds? Perhaps another remote? Rubber band and a brick? Thanks! Should be able to change the menu to allow the remote to control bulb mode. Rather than hold it the entire time, you can click to open, click to close. Not sure what page its on as I just sold mine, but im almost positive you can do it.

09-23-2011, 07:27 PM - 1 Like	#3
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by SlickYamaha Should be able to change the menu to allow the remote to control bulb mode. Rather than hold it the entire time, you can click to open, click to close. Not sure what page its on as I just sold mine, but im almost positive you can do it. No such luck. The wireless remote has 3 drive modes: instant, 3-second delay, and continuous. I see nothing in the K20D manual (Wireless F, pp. 125-127; Menus, pp. 244-248) about changing the remote's behaviour. Just for ducks, I tried. FAIL! In B mode, Remote Continuous is disabled, and the instant and delay drives are only for holding the button down. For long exposures in B mode, you need a wired remote with a locking switch. Those are pretty cheap.

09-23-2011, 07:58 PM - 1 Like	#5
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	Not that I've been able to find in the menu. Nor does p. 96? Of the manual indicate anythin but 'hold down'. Some other styles of remote do however allow you to lock the shutter. I normally use the Pentax wired remote but do have this: Vello ShutterBoss Timed Remote for Canon with Sub-Mini RC-C1 B&H It's got lots of bells and a few whistles I found to be overkill. Also, it's for Canon but works for Pentax. I found at first I had to wiggle it a bit to get it to contact perfectly but then discovered that by shaving a bit off the insulator on the end it popped it with no problems. O.K., it's $50. bucks but there are others out there.

09-23-2011, 11:14 PM - 1 Like	#6
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	I bought a cable shutter, Yongnuo XXX, for my K20 to get around the problem of having to hold the bulb shutter down. I think its well made for the price. I got it off ebay, not sure of the cost, perhaps its $29 or something. but it has a mechanical lock for the shutter so one doesn't hold he shutter down. Plus it has electronic intervalometer controls. Turns out it is also compatible with the K5.

09-23-2011, 11:17 PM - 1 Like	#7
adr1an Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 739	If you are handy, or know someone who is, with a soldering iron, its not hard to whip one up yourself: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/do-yourself/50945-diy-make-cable-release-your-k10d.html Shouldn't cost more than a couple of dollars ($5 tops...)

09-24-2011, 10:54 AM	#8
Sol Invictus Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Calgary, Alberta Photos: Gallery Posts: 392 Original Poster	Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll look into getting a cable shutter release. I will investigate the different options and report back.

09-28-2011, 05:35 PM - 1 Like	#10
LeoTaylor Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Connecticut Photos: Gallery Posts: 679	As someone who took many hundreds of 2 minute astrophotos with a K110D rest assured I did not hold the button all that time. At first I used the Pentax cable release, a bit pricey at $44. Simply a two step switch with a locking position. Then I switched to various timers that plugged into the Pentax. These allowed multiple images with a delay between them. Be glad our older models have a jack for external shutter switch, some newer Pentaxs do not.