How should I set up a Nikon D610 and remote for long-exposure car light trails?
Asked 12/4/2014
1 views
2 answers
0
I want to photograph car light trails on highways with a Nikon D610 and a wireless remote. I’m confused by the different settings: Long Exposure NR in the menu, the remote release options such as mirror up / delay / immediate, and the physical release-mode dial with the remote icon. What’s the best setup for long exposures like 30 seconds or longer, and when should I use Bulb mode versus S or M mode?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
3
On the D610, I prefer using the 'Remote Shutter Delay' set to 3s than the Mirror Lock-Up. These two essentially do the same thing but need only one press for the former. This makes it possible to capture sharp long exposures even without a wireless remote. It works with it too though.
Having the remote opens you the option to do much longer BULB exposures without risk of vibrations. You set the camera to M mode and dial the shutter-speeds until it says B. Then you press once to start the exposure (after the optional delay, if enabled) and once to end the exposure.
So, set the dial to Remote and enable the Delay. Then you press the remote release when ready, either in M or S mode. Enabling Long Shutter noise reduction helps but if you are working in a fast situation, it blocks you from trying another shot right away, so i usually turn it off.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Use the release-mode dial’s remote setting if you want to trigger the camera with your wireless remote. For a fixed exposure like 30 seconds, you can use S or M mode and set the shutter speed there. For exposures longer than 30 seconds, switch to M and keep turning the shutter speed until you reach Bulb (B); press the remote once to start and again to stop.
For vibration reduction, use either the remote delay setting or mirror-up. On the D610, remote shutter delay is often easier because it only needs one press, while mirror-up usually needs one press to raise the mirror and a second press to take the shot. Either helps reduce blur from camera shake.
Long Exposure NR can be left on, and it can help with noise in long exposures, but it also makes the camera busy for extra time after each shot, which may slow you down if you’re shooting repeatedly.
Manual mode is often the most flexible choice for light trails because it lets you control both shutter speed and aperture.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI11y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Why does my Nikon D5200 show Time instead of Bulb in Quick-Response Remote mode?
How do I make exposures longer than 30 seconds on a Nikon D7000 with a wireless remote?
Using a Nikon D300 in Bulb mode with the ML-3 IR remote
Can rear-curtain sync work in Bulb mode for long-exposure dance photos?
Is Bulb mode or stacking shorter exposures more power-efficient for star trails?