B: Bulb Exposure

In this mode, the shutter stays open as long as you hold down the shutter button completely, and closes when you let go of the shutter button. Use bulb exposures for night scenes, fireworks, astrophotography, and other subjects requiring long exposures.

  1. Set the Mode dial to B.

  2. Set the desired aperture value.

    • Turn the Main dial dial to set it.

  3. Take the picture.

    • The exposure will continue for as long as you keep the shutter button pressed completely.
    • Elapsed exposure time is displayed on the screen.

Caution

  • Do not point the camera toward an intense light source, such as the sun or an intense artificial light source. Doing so may damage the image sensor or the camera's internal components.
  • Long bulb exposures produce more noise in the image than usual.
  • ISO 400 is used when the camera is set to ISO Auto.
  • When shooting bulb exposures with the self-timer instead of the bulb timer, keep pressing the shutter button completely (for the self-timer time and bulb exposure time).

Note

  • Bulb exposure time can be set in advance in [Shooting: Bulb timer] ().
  • You can reduce the noise generated during long exposures by using [Shooting: Long exp. noise reduction] ().
  • Using a tripod and the bulb timer () is recommended for bulb exposures.
  • You can also shoot bulb exposures with Remote Switch RS-80E3/RS-60E3 (sold separately, ).
  • You can also shoot bulb exposures with Wireless Remote Control BR-E1 (sold separately). When you press the remote controller's release (transmit) button, the bulb exposure will start immediately or 2 sec. later. Press the button again to stop the bulb exposure.