Bulb Mode

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cunitclocks

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Andrew
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Hi All,
I have an Olympus E-PL5 and want to photograph fireworks using Bulb Mode. I have read that I could damage the camera doing this. Would appreciate some advice please.
Thanks in advance.
 
No danger whatsoever. Go ahead.
 
Its a complete myth that you will damage the camera/sensor by doing long exposures via bulb mode. If anything, doing long exposures mean you put the shutters/camera through less exertion as you'll be taking less pictures and therefore are less likely to damage the camera.
 
It's not going to do any damage for the type of exposure that you going to be doing for fireworks...if you've never shot fireworks before you may find it helpful to give my guide to shooting fire works a read there is a link to it in my signature...

In theory super long exposures could damage your sensor from it over heating but the chances of this happening really are very small
 
MWHCVT said:
It's not going to do any damage for the type of exposure that you going to be doing for fireworks...if you've never shot fireworks before you may find it helpful to give my guide to shooting fire works a read there is a link to it in my signature...

In theory super long exposures could damage your sensor from it over heating but the chances of this happening really are very small
Click to expand...

No danger from over-heating - you can keep the shutter open for hours, or at least until the battery goes flat. Heat build up in the sensor just increases noise.

The only reliable documentation of light damaging a sensor is from lasers at a rock concert, if you're unlucky.
 
Thanks to everyone for the prompt advice. It has set my mind at rest. Thanks Matt for the 'Fireworks Guide'. You were correct in assuming that I might need some help. It is my first camera other than a P&S so a big learning curve. Is there a fireworks display at Burton Dassett on Nov 5th this year? Would prefer to go there, rather than where I had intended.
 
Can't you get a few hot/dead pixels on the sensor?
 
HoppyUK said:
No danger from over-heating - you can keep the shutter open for hours, or at least until the battery goes flat. Heat build up in the sensor just increases noise.

The only reliable documentation of light damaging a sensor is from lasers at a rock concert, if you're unlucky.
Click to expand...

I did say in theory, the chances of actual damage is practically zero :thumbs: the same as with the laser issue
 
cunitclocks said:
Thanks to everyone for the prompt advice. It has set my mind at rest. Thanks Matt for the 'Fireworks Guide'. You were correct in assuming that I might need some help. It is my first camera other than a P&S so a big learning curve. Is there a fireworks display at Burton Dassett on Nov 5th this year? Would prefer to go there, rather than where I had intended.
Click to expand...

I'm not aware of a display there this year the last one I did at BD was for the Diamond Jubilee...was quite a good display actually...if you want a good display Kenilworth castle is a good one :thumbs: I got some epic photos there last year and its where I would have gone this year if I were not out of action :sulk:
 
Thanks for that Matt. Kenilworth Castle does sound good. I like what you have done with the buildings in the shots. Makes for a more interesting photo than just fireworks against the night sky.:thumbs: Sorry to hear that you wont be out and about this year.
 
cunitclocks said:
Thanks for that Matt. Kenilworth Castle does sound good. I like what you have done with the buildings in the shots. Makes for a more interesting photo than just fireworks against the night sky.:thumbs: Sorry to hear that you wont be out and about this year.
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Thanks Kenilworth is something special this is my favourite from last years display there...


308/366 (673) (Explored) by mwhcvt, on Flickr

That was a roughly 10 second exposure I want to say it was shot at f/9 ISO500 if I remember correctly..
 
I can see why you like it. It is a great photo. I'm not really expecting to get any keepers from my first excursion. Perhaps with the advice from you and a friend I will get something.
 
cunitclocks said:
I can see why you like it. It is a great photo. I'm not really expecting to get any keepers from my first excursion. Perhaps with the advice from you and a friend I will get something.
Click to expand...

I'll do what I can :thumbs: always happy to help...so be sure to post any questions you may have
 
This was 5secs at f/9 iso400, camera set to continuous shooting so it missed nothing for 20 minutes and about 250 exposures. I spent some time getting the right exposure with the best shutter speed, then just let it run. Unfortunately the finale had so many fireworks in the air together that it was about two stops over-exposed. I'll remember that this year :D

 
[quote="HoppyUK, post: This was 5secs at f/9 iso400, camera set to continuous shooting so it missed nothing for 20 minutes and about 250 exposures. I spent some time getting the right exposure with the best shutter speed, then just let it run. Unfortunately the finale had so many fireworks in the air together that it was about two stops over-exposed. I'll remember that this year :D

[/quote]
I do like that as well. I will be lucky to do so well. You have both given me something to aim for. Thanks again
 
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