i like taking night shots, with manual shutter on my 35mm slr,creating those swooping lights from car headlights, and ship masts, and i was wondering, that if a low end dslr like the d50, has the same capability.?

The Canons do. I can’t see why the others wouldn’t.

The d50 has settings up to 30 seconds of shutter opening time, whatever it's called. Then it also has the bulb setting, which can last up to 30 minutes (so no long enough to get looonnnnggggg star trails). 30 mins is the max b/c, well you know, dont want that battery to die.

The problem with the bulb setting is that you cant use that nice cable that you have to trigger the button. You have to A) Hold the button down for 30 mins (or tape it), or hold it down for however long u like B) Buy the remote for the camera (i think it's like 10-15 bucks) to take the image for you...

it doesnt have a bulb lock on the remote trigger?

or C) simply use the timer...once the timer goes off, it'll release the shutter for however long it's set for (30 seconds)

The d50 has a timer? I have tried using the bulb to take picture of stars...but i've always had to tape the button down (doesnt have a lock). So ummm, rrrrr...the remote IS basically the lock. Press teh button to open the shutter, press again to close the shutter and finish your photo....

...soooooooo, A) Get the remote to take long bulb shots B) Only take up to 30 sec photos C) Dont get a d50 D) Tape the button down E) other

i just looked it up to be sure..the D50 has seperate buttons for both continuous and self timers, so in other words, yes.

Huh? The d50 only has a timer up to 30 seconds. But if you want to take a picture of..lets say 24 minutes and 15 seconds...then you will have to hold the button down for 24 minutes and 15 seconds (or just buy the remote). I dont think my camera has a setting for that.

...i've read the manuel like 2 times, i HOPE i didnt miss the timer part. =P

well, i dont have the manual, but the timer setting is how long before the shutter opens. the shutter speed is how long the shutter itself is open for...so what you want to find out is the slowest speed of your shutter..if it's 30 seconds, then set the timer...beep...timer starts....timer runs out...shutter opens...stays open for whatever speed you set it to...shutter closes...

now, if i'm not mistaken (and who knows, i might be...) a 30 minute bulb setting would allow multiple exposures (shots) without re-turning-on the bulb....

Ok ok...lol, i think we are not on the same page.

Any image that you want the shutter to be open for MORE than 30 SECONDS, then you will have to use the BULB setting.

To use the BULB setting, you will have to HOLD the button down OR use the REMOTE. IF you just press the button down with the bulb mode selected, then as soon as you press, and release the button, that will be your image.

:) Clear now?

ok, seemed as though you were seeking a non-hands-way of getting a 30 second exposure without a remote..my bad

lol...no problem. :)

Get a timer remote...even better!

or..or...hold your finger down on the shutter release...and tape IT down ;-)

...i tried using rubber bands, it doesnt work very well. I find that electrical tape works the best, however u leave behind some sticky stuff on the camera, so scotch tape works well...

...but if u have like $15 to spend (hey, the camera is like 500, so er, 15 extra will be nothing), get the remote. Come to think of it, 6.1 mp isnt that much, so errrmmmm...(i'm not a cannon fan)

1) Nikons are well built 2) Nikons look better 3) Nikons have a nicer material 4) The name sounds better 5) My dad has filled me with nikon propoganda

Also, the d50 has a little rattling noise on the inside...dont let that bother you, it's just the sensor to tell the camera if the picture is landscape or portrait. :)

cheers guys.

...*chings glass with orange juice*