Long exposure timer for shutter

[chris kleihege]

I don't know if something like this exists, so I have no idea what to call it. I would like some sort of timer mechanism that closes the shutter after a 5 or 6 hour exposure (shutter set to "T"). Basically, I want to shoot where I can set up the camera in the evening but will have to leave it overnight and recover it early in the morning. I want to capture the scene and the night sky, so the shutter has to close before I can get to it. I would appreciate any ideas.
Thanks,
Chris

[Lachlan 717]

Perhaps set an alarm?

Just thinking about Occam's Razor...

[Mark Woods]

In motion pictures this device is called an Intervolumeter. I would think you could set up a timer that would send a pulse to trip a solenoid.

[Mark Woods]

*intervalometer

[John Koehrer]

This comes up every once and again. Solutions that have been suggested on an electronics forum include using a kitchen timer and tapping into through the buzzer/beeper. This gives the on/off with timer.
To trip the shutter a solenoid or servo to actuate a cable release. AHA! a challenge.
Getting the timer to signal a relay is easy, relay trips the solenoid/servo. EASY! OK cable release to shutter & enough battery for the 6hr exposure. CRAP! there's always something. OK use the shutter on T, open/close, easy enough.
Physical actuation of the shutter. Connect the CR & shutter.

If you Google electronic timer kit There a couple of dealers that sell kits in the $20 range that give you the time you're looking for, available with or without led display
and with a relay for output. Several of the use dip switches or buttons to scroll through menus for setup. One or two will give you a switch for each time channel from 1-2 seconds to 99 hours.

Fri%@#$%^cable release stuff!
Someone's going to suggest the ebait radio triggers. They're electronic, no physical output for the release.

[toyotadesigner]

If you are close to the camera, this is the stuff you need. 10 meter / 30 feet cable air release plus an alarm clock, perfect for shootings in nature while you'll sleep in a tent. :D

http://www.hama.de/bilder/00005/abb/00005362abb.jpg

[sultanofcognac]

If you are close to the camera, this is the stuff you need. 10 meter / 30 feet cable air release plus an alarm clock, perfect for shootings in nature while you'll sleep in a tent. :D

http://www.hama.de/bilder/00005/abb/00005362abb.jpg

WHERE did you find that?. . . that's 'zackly what I need!

[toyotadesigner]

You can get it from Hama in Germany:
http://www.hama.de/portal/articleId*2856/action*2563

[DrTang]

Compur used to make one..I think it timed up to 2 minutes or something

I have one somewhere

It's a neat mechanical thing that kinda looks like one of them old self timers..but of course works in reverse


I'll try to find it and post a pix tonight