Bulb mode and DSLRs

The Matt

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I am looking to buy a DSLR and would rather like one that has bulb mode. The specs that I have looked at for a few cameras do not state whether they have got it or not. Is it a fairly standard inclusion, or the kind of thing I won't find on low-end DSLRs? I suspect it's included in all, but would appreciate it if someone could confirm.

Also, does bulb mode generally have a limit? My fuji s7000 has a bulb mode which automatically cuts off after 15 seconds (the max exposure time in manual) which always struck me as a fairly useless feature to have. Do other cameras do this?

Thanks.
 
My 400d which is probably classed as a low end SLR has a bulb mode with no limit.
 
2 of the most popular entry level cameras have it, the Sony a200 and Nikon d40.
The Sony will keep the shutter open until the button is released. Although I think remote releases can have a function to open the shutter with one press and close it with the next.
Not sure of the exact way it works on the Nikon. If these 2 have have it, I would expect most DSLR's to have it.
 
Which DSLR's are you considering? A quick Google search of said DSLR and bulb mode should answer your query.
 
Thanks for your help. I have been looking at the sony, nikon and canon ranges so far so that pretty much covers it
 
Nikon D40 has a quite simple bulb mode; turn the shutter speed all the way to the left in manual mode until "bulb" comes up, then the shutter stays open as long as the button stays pressed

However, if you buy the wireless remote dealie, then with that it's one click shutter open, one click shutter close.


I remember reading musings about the maximum length on the D40 being 30 minutes or an hour but I can't substantiate them myself.
 
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