Shutter speeds in the seconds – is “B” or “T” best?

[Heroique]

Here’s a question – just for fun – but it’s the occasional one that keeps me up at night. ;)

When you’re using a (nice) cable release, and your shutter speed is, say, 5 or 10 seconds – or maybe as long as 30 seconds – is your preference to use “B” or “T”?

I’ve always used “B” because one plunge, I’ll think, causes fewer potential vibrations than two plunges. But a few photos with “B” have “B”-deviled me :p – the cable slips from my hand, or the plunger sneaks past my thumb … ending exposure prematurely.

“Curses!” I'll think (or holler). “If only I had used T.”

What’s your experience? If you have a preference, please share your wisdom. (I think I missed this Photography 101 lecture.) What additional pros/cons about B/T might one consider? Can you think of specific compositions “made” for B or T in this range of speeds?

[Vick Vickery]

I'll use B for a few seconds, say up to 10 seconds, then I go to T...like you, I've slipped a few times & wasted film. Over 10 seconds the T works great, and I really don't think I introduce much shake as long as I use a cable.

[Greg Lockrey]

When your exposures are in seconds it is doubtful that camera shake from tripping a shutter is going to show up. I like using the "T" since I don't hve to keep my finger on the shutter.

[srbphoto]

Always B

[Drew Wiley]

Always T - less likely to jiggle or tug on the lens if you just let go of the cable
(at least if you're me!)

[Heroique]

That's 3 B's and 3 T's ... that is, if you count Vick for both. Maybe I should have added a survey. :p


Always T - less likely to jiggle or tug on the lens if you just let go of the cable (at least if you're me!)

In all my B shots, I "arch" my cable to avoid the "jiggle or tug" you mention.

BTW, when you use T and "just let go of the cable," do you mean, let it drop and swing, and pick it back up? Or perhaps rest it on top the camera?

[Per Madsen]

I use B under five seconds and T over four seconds to avoid a finger slipping using B for longer shutter times.

[Diane Maher]

Always T.

[GPS]

Well, the T timing was added to shutters exactly so that you wouldn't need to use the B timing for longer exposures. What is the longer exposure for you is probably not written anywhere...;-)

[Paul Metcalf]

I'll add a third option (which I don't use intentionally), and that is using "B" on the shutter but locking the cable release (if it has one - mine do) for a "T" effect.

Oh, and a fourth option. Always "B", as in squeeze and release the "bulb":p

[cowanw]

If you slip on B can you not just do a double exposure for the remaining time required?
Regards
Bill

[Paul Metcalf]

If you slip on B can you not just do a double exposure for the remaining time required?
Regards
Bill
Sure if nothing's changed in the scene.

[GPS]

Sure if nothing's changed in the scene.

Well, if the scene were changing the B timing would not be possible in the first place...:)

[Heroique]

The wind spies on me and waits for my thumb to slip on B.

That's its cue to spit a gust and change my scene, right when I'm re-cocking my lens and trying to complete the exposure.

Still I'm addicted to B.

[Jim Noel]

I use "T" (Time) for anything over a second or two.
"B" (bulb) - Original purpose was to open the shutter momentarily while the flash powder, and later flash bulb, was ignited. When synchronization was developed the "B" was kept on the shutters although no longer needed for it's original purpose.

[Toyon]

I think the more critical factor is whether you are using a long shutter release. A very long release will almost eliminate the possibility of vibration and pulling transmitted by your hand on the release. One of those 10' air release shutters comes to mind - the kind with the pneumatically-activated pin on the shutter end. Something like the following:

[eddie]

always T.

i never use B for anything other than to test it to see if it works.....:)

[Ivan J. Eberle]

In theory, "T" is great because there's less likelihood of tugging on the cable during the middle of the exposure (or of knocking the front standard from where set if not locked down tight if you slip on "B" and have to recock the shutter).

The period(s) of the vibration from the release being tripped once versus twice is nil, contributes almost nothing to the exposure over a second or two.

But in practice, I tend to always use "B" because I use locking cable releases, which I can set by feel, and don't have to remember what setting I'm on or risk a peek in the dark with a headlamp. It's also consistent with the workflow of using 35mm and MF cameras that don't have "T".

[Dan Fromm]

Hmm. Sometimes there's no choice.

For example, my separated little 58/5.6 Grandagon is in a #00 Synchro Compur that has B but not T.

[argos33]

I like to use B up until 10 seconds or so. How does one "slip" when using B? I just make sure I have a good grip/thumb position on it before pressing down.

[Bob McCarthy]

Ok

B when I'm counting one thousand one.... one thousand two...


T when I an using a watch (now days my iphone stopwatch) to time a long exposure

bob

[Jim Rice]

As an aside, I have begun carrying an electronic metronome to improve my accuracy on multi-second exposures.

[ic-racer]

T only when I anticipate walking away from the camera during exposure. For me, having to grapple for the cable release at the right time to fire it again is more likely to cause vibration problems than just holding the release in B mode.

[Ernest Purdum]

I have just remembered an occasion when I was using the kind of release that has a little ring to lock the plunger down. Sure enough, I had a longer exposure than desired, and used some words I should have mentioned in confession, when the little ring was unintentionally left in lock position.

[Wallace_Billingham]

I once snowshoed about half a mile in sub zero degree weather out onto the pack ice of Lake Erie to get a shot of glow over the ice after the sun had set. I was using bulb and had a locking cable release with a medium format camera.

It was so cold that the lock was frozen but seemed to unlock and I slung my camera and tripod over my shoulder for the hike back. Once back in the car I cranked the heat and about 30 seconds later I heard the shutter click back down. Yep it had been open the whole time and the shot was toast