Long exposures on the M9

[DFV]

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Does anybody know the maximum recommended exposure time on the sensor of the M9?

 

I know that on CMOS sensors long exposures (over 5 minutes) damage the sensor if done repeatedly. I was wondering if CCD sensors had the same "weakness". Furthermore, has anybody done some long time exposures with the M9?

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[arthury]

[...]

I know that on CMOS sensors long exposures (over 5 minutes) damage the sensor if done repeatedly.

[...]

 

Why did you say that? I know of people who makes a living doing star trails using a Nikon body night after night without any issues. I am not questioning you, just wanted to learn more about this.

[mjh]

I know that on CMOS sensors long exposures (over 5 minutes) damage the sensor if done repeatedly.

Really? That would be news to me.

[35mmSummicron]

M9 and long exposures (not) - The GetDPI Photography Forums

[DFV]

Why did you say that? I know of people who makes a living doing star trails using a Nikon body night after night without any issues. I am not questioning you, just wanted to learn more about this.

 

I first found out about that fro a friend that was also into star trail exposures and went thorough three D80s. His sensors started to fade and deteriorate one after the other. Since then I am very unwilling to use the "bulb" on any digital camera, especially my M9.

 

I am not sure either about this and I only hear this from time to time. I am skeptical since it it where so it would be a bit dangerous for manufacturers to ad an option such as "bulb" that could be potentially harmful to your sensor. It could also be that the problem was with older sensor like the ones inside a D80...

[DFV]

M9 and long exposures (not) - The GetDPI Photography Forums

 

Ahhhh, so the M9 is limited to 240 seconds even in BULB setting. Interesting, so this could be a failsafe not to damage the sensor? I guess this answers the question.

[mjh]

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Ahhhh, so the M9 is limited to 240 seconds even in BULB setting. Interesting, so this could be a failsafe not to damage the sensor? I guess this answers the question.

The number of hot pixels does increase with the exposure time, so there’s a practical limit. I doubt there is any danger of damaging the sensor by overheating, but in any case, CMOS sensors would suffer less from this issue.

[thrice]

Also, the sensor in the D80 is a CCD, not CMOS type sensor.

 

I find it frustrating that the metering system in the camera isn't sophisticated enough to meter shots longer than 32s. I would have preferred not to have to carry a lightmeter or waste battery life with trial and error.

[jaques]

well- I certainly hope it is OK- because over the last few weeks I have done a whole series of slow shutter images. Many over 200 seconds. Very pleased with the results- only wish I could go longer.

[Stan Raucher]

If you're doing long exposure, you're presumably using a tripod and could do multiple exposures.

 

Have you tried doing two or more successive exposures of 240 second and then blending the images in Photoshop? It seems to me that two successive exposures at 240 seconds blended at 50% opacity should give you a similar result to one exposure at 480 seconds. Four successive exposure at 240 seconds blended at 25% opacity should be equivalent to a 960 second exposure. It would be a bit of a nuisance to have to trip the shutter every 4 minutes versus set it and forget it.

 

Since digital camera aren't seriously effected by reciprocity failure, using a hand-held meter or metering wide open and then stopping down the lens should be a reasonable guide for exposure.

 

Cheers,

 

Stan

[thrice]

Not so Stan, the M9 has compulsory noise reduction for an equivalent length exposure. If you're doing star trails you'll have big gaps in the trails.

 

Also, in your described method each of the time slices would have low opacity for their varying characteristics, not a desirable result. The statistics feature of Photoshop is a far more useful tool in this regard.

 

Lastly, a handheld meter would be required for accurately metering for any exposure over 32s, as that is the maximum the M9 will meter to.

[tdtaylor]

By the way, I ran across this on Overgaard's page:

 

"T mode for long exposure using self timer

The Leica M9 has a "T" function. Set to self timer (to 2 or 12 seconds in the Menu, then turn the wheel by the shutter far left to the self timer symbol), set exposure dial to "B", activate the self timer by pressing the shutter, the shutter will open and stay open until the release button is tapped again. This function works on the M8 and M8.2 as well."

 

leica.overgaard.dk - Thorsten Overgaard's Leica Pages - Leica M9 Digital Rangefinder Camera

 

Don't have my M9 around to give it a try, but it might be something. The 240 seconds probably comes into play.

[tdtaylor]

By the way, I ran across this on Overgaard's page:

 

"T mode for long exposure using self timer

The Leica M9 has a "T" function. Set to self timer (to 2 or 12 seconds in the Menu, then turn the wheel by the shutter far left to the self timer symbol), set exposure dial to "B", activate the self timer by pressing the shutter, the shutter will open and stay open until the release button is tapped again. This function works on the M8 and M8.2 as well."

 

leica.overgaard.dk - Thorsten Overgaard's Leica Pages - Leica M9 Digital Rangefinder Camera

 

Don't have my M9 around to give it a try, but it might be something. The 240 seconds probably comes into play.