Bulb exposure time limit

[mr bizzare]

I would like to know how long it is safe to leave the shutter open in Bulb on a Nikon SLR, I should imagine the sensor will heat up but will it turn off before damage is done as it will if recording in movie mode

 

[Pookeyhead]

It cuts off in movie mode.. believe it or not... this is true.... to avoid incurring extra tax as a "video camera". I kid you not. There is no technical reason why it can't record longer than 29'59".

Heat build up will occur, but it will not damage anything. All it will do is add extra noise and the odd hot (red, green or blue) pixel here and there.

I've left shutters open until the battery has crapped out on me many times. No issues.

 

[mr bizzare]

It cuts off in movie mode.. believe it or not... this is true.... to avoid incurring extra tax as a "video camera". I kid you not. There is no technical reason why it can't record longer than 29'59".

Heat build up will occur, but it will not damage anything. All it will do is add extra noise and the odd hot (red, green or blue) pixel here and there.

I've left shutters open until the battery has crapped out on me many times. No issues.

Thanks for your reply I could not find any reference in the manuals, I have in the past taken shot of 4 or 5 mins before, but just thought I would check before turning a sensor into a toaster.