Astrophotography Exposure Triangle

Doubting myself so I've just looked again Sumitra and I can't find a delay option - will go and take a look at the manual in a bit.

It's a Nikon D40X, Mike. Not heard of Triggertrap - will look that up now too!

Doubting myself so I’ve just looked again Sumitra and I can’t find a delay option – will go and take a look at the manual in a bit.
It’s a Nikon D40X, Mike. Not heard of Triggertrap – will look that up now too!

From what I can see online, you have plenty of delay options: "with delay options of 2, 5, 10, and 20 seconds."
Perhaps it's called Self-Timer instead of Delay?
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D40X/D40XA5.HTM

It’s a Nikon D40X

Damn... Triggertrap won't work then. This uses an IR remote as far as I know. Shame.

I think you can get some pretty cheap IR remote releases for it, though (about £5 from a quick Amazon search).

I found where to find the delay on the user manual, page 32 if that helps?

http://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D40X_en.pdf

.... oh, and forgot to mention... if you're using IR remotes, you have to stand in front of the camera!

That might be your foreground image sorted 😉

To be honest, the amount of noise in the image isn’t bad.

Thanks! I'll take that as a BIG compliment. I seek perfection! Must get better 🙂

Had ISO 1600 (as far as my camera will go) with 15" exposure. Will try ISO 800 with 20" next time… See how that turns out.

I found where to find the delay on the user manual, page 32 if that helps?

Bloomin' ek! Of course! I've even used this function before 😀

I think you can get some pretty cheap IR remote releases for it, though (about £5 from a quick Amazon search).

Mine has never worked and I simply haven't replaced it. This is what I have:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00007EDZG/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=479289247&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B003LR4XF2&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0GTE632D1V4X9FZM6G0C

Think I'll get one now. Hope it's not the actual camera that's faulty.

…. oh, and forgot to mention… if you’re using IR remotes, you have to stand in front of the camera! That might be your foreground image sorted

Ha! I'm trying to improve my photos not destroy them!!!

Christine your problem with standing in front of camera is not that you will destroy your pictures but that your beauty will detract from the main image!!!!!!!!!

Christina

As far as I know the D40x only supports wireless control. I have timers for most Nikon DSLR's but the D40x seems to be an exception (sorry).

You can control it with a PC via DigiCamControl PC Software (free) but control is limitedand bulb mode not supported unless you want to spend about £50 on an interface.

Thanks so much Rupert!!! Didn't think that it would be possible to control my camera via computer seeing as it's so limited in other remote capabilities.

Next problem… I use Mac 🙂

Think running Parallels should get around this though. Unless there's a Mac alternative to DigiCamControl of course… Will have a hunt online tonight.

Just found this on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hpsaturn/lumera-transform-your-camera-into-the-smartest-one

Christina, the Nikon D40X is listed as being supported... but it's not cheap... probably about £100, and it won't be available until half-way through next year!

Still, it's an interesting idea.

What a great product invention! It does so much and will be completely hackable too which is considerate of them… (Not that I'd be capable of hacking it). I wonder whether a product like this will push camera manufacturers to get more creative with their design of camera accessories and compete - about time really. Why has no one done this before?!

Thanks very much for sharing this Mike. Pleasantly surprised to hear that my camera (older) model is supported!

I recently had another go at shooting star trails… A bit Heath Robinson - took some pvc tape, held the shutter down, wrapped the tape tightly around my camera body and shoved a 5p over the button and continued to tape it down until there was no way it would budge. It worked… I had perfectly timed 20" exposures BUT failed epically as each of my shots were out of focus. Rubbish!

My new remote control has since arrived and this one works with my camera, thankfully. Haven't tried taping that down yet… Well, a work-around until the Lumera product becomes available, at least.