2-3-4 seconds exposure

[JavaDuke]

Probably a stupid and FAQ but anyway. All my lenses have shutters with maximum of 1 second exposure. I'm wondering if there's a better technique for measuring 2, 3, 4 seconds, etc., well, other than counting "twenty-one, twenty-two", etc.

Thanks!

[Ron Marshall]

Probably a stupid and FAQ but anyway. All my lenses have shutters with maximum of 1 second exposure. I'm wondering if there's a better technique for measuring 2, 3, 4 seconds, etc., well, other than counting "twenty-one, twenty-two", etc.

Thanks!

I usually stop down to have an exposure of four seconds or longer, that I time with a watch.

[domenico Foschi]

You can bring with you a small electronic timer, but if you are worried of how exact is your counting, I wouldn't be too concerned.

[Nathan Potter]

I've always wondered - has anyone found a timer unit that would screw into the cable release receptacle and would doubly actuate the shutter on bulb? That is - the timer would open the shutter automatically then in a set number of seconds close it either all mechanically or electrically. Something like this would sure be handy. I have a couple of mechanical self timers (bought on the island of Malta, but of British origin I believe) that screw into the cable release receptacle and are spring actuated - they are wound up then released and whirr down for 15 seconds then release the shutter. Seems it would be possible to produce one that would both open and close a shutter set on B or T in a pretty precise manner.

Nate Potter, Austin Texas

[Sanjay Sen]

I carry a stopwatch, and try to get exposures in the 4+ seconds range.

[Scott --]

Electronic kitchen timer for anything over a second.

[Eric Woodbury]

I just count them off, one-mississippi, two-mississippi, etc. At those exposures, reciprocity is kicking in and for BW, what difference does it make as long as you have enough. For long exposures I use a watch.

[David Karp]

I use my watch. Once you are into reciprocity failure, total accuracy is not really necessary.

[Alan Davenport]

Duke, just count and enjoy. A quarter-second error at 2 seconds is less than 1/3 stop, and you'll more than likely be closer than that. Don't obsess over a non-problem.

[kev curry]

For 2 - 3 second exposures I find it easier to do multiples of 1 sec exposures using the shutter. You just have to calmly and smoothly re-cock the shutter to ensure you don't jar the camera. For longer exposures I use the stopwatch on the hand phone.

kev