Bulb Mode?

[rgacpa]

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I understand that the latest firmware allowed for longer exposure times. However it apparatus there is no ability to have a true bulb mode. I cannot choose, for example, a 16 sec exposure, but have only the option of 15sec. or 20sec. Nothing in between. No ability to just hold the shutter open as l determine.

 

Am I correct?

Thanks for any help,

Bob

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[frame-it]

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/272885-leica-sl-bulb-mode-or-long-exposure/

[LD_50]

It's always had a bulb setting. I don't believe that's changed with FW3.

 

Turn beyond the 30m setting to B. Hold shutter open.

[ramarren]

You're speaking of the pre-programmed, timed exposure values. 

• Be sure that the Electronic Shutter setting in the CAMERA menu is set to either OFF or Extended.
• Set exposure mode to Manual.
• Roll the rear dial through the shutter time settings past 30m to B.

Now when you press the shutter release, it is held open precisely as long as you keep it pressed. A counter tells you in second increments how long that's been up to the maximum time that the shutter can be held open. (I don't recall off hand what that is, and don't have time to experiment right now...)

[rgacpa]

Thanks all. Had to reset the camera as I couldn't get it out of video mode. Now B works... what a PITA!

 

Thank you again All who helped,

Bob

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[malbooth]

On 6/29/2017 at 3:02 PM, ramarren said:

You're speaking of the pre-programmed, timed exposure values. 

• Be sure that the Electronic Shutter setting in the CAMERA menu is set to either OFF or Extended.
• Set exposure mode to Manual.
• Roll the rear dial through the shutter time settings past 30m to B.

Now when you press the shutter release, it is held open precisely as long as you keep it pressed. A counter tells you in second increments how long that's been up to the maximum time that the shutter can be held open. (I don't recall off hand what that is, and don't have time to experiment right now...)

I am very grateful for this advice as I was trying to find Bulb mode for some fireworks tonight. I had not tried turning the electronic shutter off.

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[malbooth]

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For those as inexperienced as I am with the SL2 and fireworks, I provide the following notes for future reference. Please feel free to jump in and correct anything I've done wrong!

I used the V-E 90-280mm lens and prefer to give fireworks a 4-8 second exposure so it was all done on a tripod. The Peak Design  travel tripod was perfect for me as I lugged all this up the hill to the lawn in front of Sydney Uni. I set the SL2 up before leaving home, based mostly on the advice from @ramarren above: 

• switch to Manual Focus (these were all framed at about 170-200mm and I believe I used the fine focus ring on the lens plus the little joystick on the back of the camera to lock it in); 
• set exposure mode to Manual and then roll the rear dial through the shutter time settings to B (for Bulb); 
• turn long exposure noise reduction off;
• use mechanical (not electronic) shutter type; and 
• switch off image stabilisation (because tripod), howvere I forgot to do this as usual(!). 

I also used a Leica cable release to control exposure time manually without touching the camera. And here is another example image:

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[DandA]

Hi,

I know this is an old thread but it's one that addresses my issue.

I have been using the Leica SL2 for a while but since I am planning to shoot fireworks tomorrow night, I wanted to set it up in Bulb mode. As others have suggested, camera is in "M" and electronic shutter is off as well as long exposure noise reduction. Yet when turn the top dial clockwise to reach 30 seconds and then continuing to turn the dial, it doesn't go past 30 seconds to Bulb mode.

I tried it numerous times, shut off and on the camera and checked all settings I just described, but it won't go beyond 30 seconds to Bulb mode. Any ideas what I might be doing wrong? I haven't plugged in a electronic cable release but that shouldn't make a difference. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Dave 

** I think I found my answer although it doesn't make sense. I just tried putting the attached AF lens into manual focus mode and then was able to put shutter into bulb mode. Why would that be required to get the SL2 into bulb mode? I'm stumped? Thanks again for any feedback.

Edited July 3 by DandA

[Jonathan Levin]

Can the Photos app be used to control bulb mode instead of using a cabled release?