Does Leica R has any undocumented T mode ( Time exposure ) ?

-- martin tai (cg081@torfree.net), July 14, 2001

Answers

I asked this because I know that there are two undocumented methods to put my Minox TLX into T mode, for hour long exposure or longer.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), July 14, 2001.

Yes. It's called a Locking Cable Release. You set the camera on "B", trip the shutter with the Locking Cable Release, and the shutter stays open until you release the lock. On the R8 the batteries are the limiting factor as they're used even in B to hold the shutter open. On any of the other R's the B setting is mechanical.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), July 14, 2001.

Ah, tricky tricky, using a locking cable ! Jay, thanks for the tips.

Are you saying that there is no way to simulate a 'T' on R8 ?

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), July 14, 2001.

The locking cable release works fine on the R8 (in fact, the rear LCD panel will display the elapsed time for you). But since the R8 requires battery power to hold the shutter open on "B", eventually the batteries will die and the shutter will close. How long an expousre you can make depends on the condition of the. With the R7 and all earlier models, the B setting is purely mechanical so it doesn't matter if the batteries are even *in* the camera, you can lock the shutter open with a cable release *forever*.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), July 14, 2001.

Something got cut off...should have read "depends on the condition of the batteries when you start the exposure."

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), July 14, 2001.

Jay, All R camera before R8 has a mechanical 100 shutter, which can be used when the camera battery failed. It is a nice feature.

R8 cannot operate without battery at all ?

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), July 19, 2001.