❚❚Long Time-Exposures (M Mode Only)

At a shutter speed of “bulb,” the shutter remains open while the shutter-release button is held down. This can be used for long time-exposure photographs of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks. A tripod or optional MC-DC2 remote cord (0 177) is recommended to prevent blur.

Length of exposure: 35 s

Aperture: f/25

1Ready the camera.

Mount the camera on a tripod or place it on a stable, level surface. To prevent loss of power before the exposure is complete, use a fully charged EN-EL14 battery or an optional EH-5a AC adapter and EP-5A power connector. Note that noise (randomly-spaced bright pixels or fog) may be present in long exposures; before shooting, choose On for the Noise reduction option in the shooting menu (0 134).

2 Rotate the mode dial to M.

Mode dial

t

3 Choose a shutter speed.

Rotate the command dial until “Bulb” (A) appears in the viewfinder or information display.

Command dial

4Open the shutter.

After focusing, press the shutter-release button all the way down. Keep the shutter-release button pressed until the exposure is complete.

5Close the shutter.

Take your finger off the shutter-release button.

ASelf-timer Mode

In self-timer mode, a shutter speed of “Bulb” is equivalent to approximately 1/10 s.

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Nikon D3100 2 manual Long Time-Exposures M Mode Only, Open the shutter, Close the shutter, Self-timer Mode