Unlimited exposure time?

Question

Which digital cameras on the market will allow you to set the exposure time to as long as you want? I want something in the order of several hours in order to take a picture that tracks the movement of the stars in the sky (saw this in an astronomy textbook once)

Answer 1

I have a D200 digital camera, Be carefull, Condensation from the temp cycling thru the dew piont is a Big problem both outside (warm camera cool outside )and when returning inside (cold camera warm inside) some digital cameras are realy not suited for astronomy make SURE you have a Full CHARGE on the battery (or a ac adapt) as to the shutter may get stuck in the open possition and remember your outside in the dark with no lense (using a T-adapter) so taking this camera with a dead battery off in the dark then going inside with the tempreture change and no lense to keep bad things from happening to the digital chip from Condensation (dropplets of water ,dust mixing with droppletts).. well hope I didnt stop your great idea, cause I like how your thinkin .. but a good 35mm manual camera (never so affordable as now) is a safer choise

hope this helps

Answer 2

The Nikon D70S was marketed for astronomy but one of the all time favorite cameras is the Olympus OM-1. It is a manual 35mm camera. The only thing the battery does is run the meter. Most digital cameras will overheat their sensor in long exposure photography.

Answer 3

What you're looking for is called a "Bulb" setting.
As long as the shutter release is pressed, the shutter stays open.

The Nikon D-80 has this setting, I'm guessing that the D-70, D-100, D-200 do as well.

Answer 4

Many astro-photographers are still using film to have the older manual cameras that are not so dependent on batteries.
Good luck.