Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: jpjespersen on September 23, 2007, 12:01:32 am
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I was wondering if the Mamiya AFDII is capable of exposure times longer than 30 seconds. Is there a bulb exposure mode on this camera.
Thanks,
JP Jespersen
http://www.ImageOfNight.com (http://www.ImageOfNight.com)
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I think this is what you're looking for (from mamiya.com)
(T) Time Mode
This is a mechanically controlled mode for long exposures. It consumes no battery power.
I think it's the same as the Bulb-setting on other camera's. But I'm not sure, lots of mamiya users on this forum, they'll reply soon :-)
I took a look on your website, amazing stuff.
Could you tell us a bit about your technique and gear? I love the fact that it's night photography, but the image seems day....it's almost surreal in a way. :-)
Why the intrest in MF?
regards
Mike
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Yes, the bulb works just like on any other camera - the shutter will remain open as long as the shutter is being held down. If you are shooting digitally you will be limited by the back - I've shot up to 30 minutes with a phase one p-45 but their plus backs claim up to one hour exposure possible, however a rep from the company is now stating that the ambient temp must be below a certain mark before you can go that long (if this is true phase one would be guilty of false advertising, not surprising)...
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Hey ternst,
How about battery life when shooting such long exposures?
How many exposures can you get on a single charge?
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I think this is what you're looking for (from mamiya.com)
(T) Time Mode
This is a mechanically controlled mode for long exposures. It consumes no battery power.
I think it's the same as the Bulb-setting on other camera's. But I'm not sure, lots of mamiya users on this forum, they'll reply soon :-)
I took a look on your website, amazing stuff.
Could you tell us a bit about your technique and gear? I love the fact that it's night photography, but the image seems day....it's almost surreal in a way. :-)
Why the intrest in MF?
regards
Mike
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Thanks people. This is what I needed to know. Sounds like it operates the same as my RZ. I was worried about it being electronic but it is nice to hear that it is mechanical.
About my work and gear. I almost always shoot under a full moon, long exposures. Night gallery one is all large and medium format film- RZ67 and Wista 45rf View camera. Night Gallery 2 is all digital, Nikon D2X. I just purchased a P45+ and am planning on using it on my 4x5 for the time being. I am just trying to decide if I want to purchase a Mamiya AFDII for when I shoot in crappy weather and such- for the fast setup and easy to cover with a bag. The new 28mm seems appealing until I saw the price. At that price I might as well by a Silvestri or WideDX with a Schnieder lens.
Thanks again.
JP Jespersen
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Hey ternst,
How about battery life when shooting such long exposures?
How many exposures can you get on a single charge?
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My D2X can go for a few nights shooting for hours. Maybe anywhere from 2-4 hours of combined open shutter plus noise processing after-words but this is a total guess. I do have a couple of batteries and charger in my car. I would guess that if need you could do a 4 hour exposure with 4 hours of processing, but again this is a total guess.
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Mike:
I don't know if you were asking about battery life of the camera or of the back - the camera will last a long time. You can probably get a couple of exposures per battery out of the back - remember it has to take a second dark slide exposure for each long exposure, so a 30 minute exposure is really an hour exposure on the back and the back battery. I have not done an hour exposure yet but I imagine the battery would last that long, so you would probably be able to get one exposure per battery - I hear the plus backs eat up a lot more juice...
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@Ternst
I meant the backs battery life. Thanks for clearing that up.
It seems long exposures would be limited by the backs battery-life. I'm guessing 4 long exposures per charge? Sound about right?