| Joined: | Mon Apr 2nd, 2012 |
| Location: | South Lakeland, UK |
| Posts: | 4066 |
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Just had a chance to sit down and consider this is in more detail.
Thank's JK, that is very helpful, however, I am still not completely sure what the pocket wizard actually does... I am assuming when you press the button on the remote it releases the shutter on the camera, with a pulse command? In order to use shutter speeds longer than 30 seconds the camera has to be in 'bulb' mode and the shutter release has to be 'held down' (continually) for the duration of the exposure. The MC-36 can time exposures of 0 s to 99 hrs 59 min 59 s (in one-second increments). I usually work in the range of 30 to 60 minutes for star-trails in bulb, or 60 to 100 individual 30 second exposures in time lapse when using the in-camera intervalometer.
Anyway... I just had a 'light bulb' moment, having downloaded the Nikon MC-36 manual, I have just realised the MC-36 can delay the start of the exposure. All I need to do is time how long it takes to get out of the critical zone where there is possibly of contaminating the image with my presence and stray light, add a bit, say another minute then have the MC-36 start the exposure automatically. Another gem of info from the MC-36 manual, the timer can be programmed before connecting it to the camera! That means I can program it at home or in the car, rather than fumbling with it in the cold and dark with gloves on. Provided I wait until the exposure is complete, I can return to the camera without spoiling the image. So, it would appear I already have all the equipment I need.
Much of the problem was setting the MC-36 up at the camera site in the dark, it's task enough setting the camera up, remembering to set framing and alignment on Polaris, focus, aperture, shutter to bulb, ISO etc., all in the dark.I am going to make an arm or bracket to mount the MC-36 on so it doesn't flap around in the wind and so I can have it facing my refuge point, so I can see the illuminated LED which indicates the shutter is open with my binoculars.
Now where is that flask...
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Robert.