Nightime shots and longer exposures: how accurate is the camera metering...?

[theMusicMan]

Just wondering, for night time shots where extremely long exposures are required, how accurate is the camera metering system.

I have read on some threads here that often exposures of 10's of minutes are required for certain types of shot. Are DSLR's capable of accurately computing these long times for correct exposures...?

If not, how does one do it?

 

[Yv]

TBH, I have taken loads of night time shots, and nearly always gone with gut instinct on manual settings. I did do a few using the night mode on the D70s, but found it always over exposed [unusual, Nikons, inherently underexpose] which in London means lots of bright orange skies due to light pollution and too many blown, starbursted lights so didnt bother after that. My technique general involves starting with an F7 or 8, and around 1 second exposure, then working from there depending on the results.

 

[DiddyDave]

I'd say set the f-stop you want, stick it on auto aperture exp and see what you get. The camera may just give up at its longest shutter setting anyway, but it'll give you an image of sorts to view and work from - even if almost nothing records, that'll tell you something

Just remember that an exposure of 10 mins is only 1-stop more than 5mins, so if you do a 5min shot and it's a bit dark, there's no point going for 6,7,8 mins - then there's the old Reciprocity Failure to factor in too

Or just try and see what you get

I have seen some amazing HDR images taken at night blending several shots together, but just think how long it'd take to do?

1st exp 10 mins and you want a 5 stop longer spread.. that'd be 2nd 20mins, 3rd 40mins, 4th 1hr20mins, 5th 2hr40mins (plus a bit for RF too) so over 4 hours for one shot - and of course your battery would pack-up half way through

Most best 'night' shots are actually done at dusk just before total darkness for these reasons

Love to see the results