Mechanical timer for bulb exposure?

[markaudacity]

I find myself doing a decent bit of long-exposure work with my M3 sitting on a table/ledge/shelf/etc. Wondering if there's anything like the mechanical self-timers that thread into the release that will hold the shutter open for a prescribed amount of time?

 

[Bill Burk]

There is a Prontor release that you can dial in anywhere from 2 to about 35 seconds.

 

[markaudacity]

Sounds ideal, I'll be on the lookout for one.

 

[AgX]

Bolex too made something of that kind: 5-20sec duration, with delay of release.

But a cable release and a stop watch would be more versatile, as long you don't typically use these exposure times.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

There is a Prontor release that you can dial in anywhere from 2 to about 35 seconds.

My Dad gave me his,goes from 2-32sbut only fits the standard conical thread,and comes with a littleshutter release extension cable.I heard, it's very expensive unfortunately.

 

[AgX]

...but only fits the standard conical thread

So far I only came across shutters with the conical thread.
But I assume the conical one would still lock into the cylindrical thread. Otherwise one can DIY an adapter and adjust the extention of the plunger.

 

[benjiboy]

I use this mechanical device called a watch and a cable release.

 

[markaudacity]

Funny, I have one of those too.

 

[Bill Burk]

Then you need the cheat sheet that Vaughn gives out in his classes based on Michael Kenna's notes regarding reciprocity law failure.

Because once your light meter says 10 seconds... Reciprocity law failure likely puts your necessary exposure at 32 seconds already.

This unit is only good for a very short range of your overall exposure needs.

 

[Peltigera]

One of these? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUTOKNIPS...y_VintagePhotoAccessories&hash=item1c47310d4b

 

[AgX]

Yes. The worldwide most sold model (though I still do not have one...)

It combines a delay setting of 1-15sec with a exposure duration of 0.5-10sec .

 

[baachitraka]

Just a cable release and start counting in the head. +/- one or two seconds may not add much to the long exposure.

 

[AgX]

Would not work for me as I only can count up to three...

(But this is a pun only working in German, I guess.)

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I use this mechanical device called a watch and a cable release.

Me too - a mechanical watch, with springs and gears inside from the latter part of the previous millennium. A bonus is that when people ask the time, I just look at my wrist while the others are usually digging for their cellphones or I-thingys.

 

[M Carter]

I really have a thing for old watches you have to wind. If I had the $$, I'd be on eBay all day...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

If I had the$$,I would buy eBay.