Nikon Exposure Times

[BladeGT4]

I am new to the forum and astrophotography.    So to start here are two simple questions.    The maximum exposure time for most Nikon DSLR cameras is 30 seconds, with the exception of the D810 at 15 minutes.   I assume it is possible to override these time limits with Backyard Nikon, but this is not clear from my O'Telescope browsing.   

 

So, what exposure time controls are available with Backyard Nikon, considering the normal limits above ?   Perhaps "Bulb" in the "Camera Support Grid" answers this question indirectly, but that's not clear.

 

Also, in the "Camera Support Grid", "Mirror Lock" is not an available feature.   So, can mirror lock be separately enabled from the camera itself, instead of via Backyard Nikon ?

 

Thanks,

BladeGT4

[admin]

You need to use BULB for > 30 seconds.  

 

Depending on the camera you have (you did not say) you may need a serial cable.

 

Mirror lock is not supported and will not work if you set it on.

 

Regards,

[astroman133]

Mirror lock is one of those things that sounds like a benefit for long exposure astrophotography, but it is really not useful. There shouldn't be any noticeable shake from flipping the mirror up even for a camera tracking mount, but if there is, it will dampen out with in a few milliseconds.  Any shake that did occur will be overwhelmed by the data collected for the rest of the image, especially if the exposure is several minutes long.

[BladeGT4]

Thanks very much, got it.     By the way, the camera is a Nikon 810, so if there are any special set-up needs with BYN, please let me know.

[admin]

All you need with the D810 is the USB cable that came with it.  Beautiful camera BTW.

 

Regards,