D200 Long Exposures than 30 seconds

Hi I was wondering if there was any way to get longer exposures than the 30

seconds on manual mode. I want to do light exposures where I write with

flashlights, and 30 seconds doesn't seem to cut it. Is there any way I can do

this without buying anything, and how? Or is there something that I have to buy

to get it to work? I tried Googling it and this site -

http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d200/d200-long.htm was talking about how you can

get up to 1 hours exposures with some cable thing. But is there any way I can

get like up to 5 minutes exposures without buying anything? Thanks.

What is the bulb setting and how do you use it? Like I know how to get to it, but when I clicked it, it took the picture pretty fast. How do I set it and use it?

So I have to manually hold down the button for as long as I want it to be exposed? If I'm shooting by myself, this is impossible, right?

Nikon D200. Do you have msn or aim by any chance? Should I just get one of those wired remote controls? And Like would it be possible for me to click it, leave it by the camera, write everything I want to with my flashlights, run back to the camera and the remote, and click it again? Because wireless remote controls might be too much for me right now, since I'm still trying to learn how to use my camera.

Would this be good enough? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/108425-REG/Nikon_4660_MC_30_Remote_Cord.html What's a 10-pin remote control socket? I'm trying to find a space on my D200 where the cable would plug into from the picture but I have no idea where I would plug it into. It'd still be possible for me to just leave the remote next to the camera, click it, and run back to it, right? Because I really don't want a random cable at the bottom of my shots.

Page 68 of the D200 users manual tells you you need to know.

Actually should I get the Nikon MC-20? I just read http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/nikons-mc20-versus-mc30.html

I'm look on Page 62 of the D200 users manual now and the thing for bulb at the very bottom says "Nikon recommends using a fully-charged EN-EL3e battery or an optional EH-6 AC adapter to prevent loss of power while the shutter is open", would the EN-EL3e battery just be the battery that the D200 came with?

Oh and the thing that's on it now, is that like a cover? How would I take that off? Just pop it? Umm is the Nikon MC-20 discontinued or something? All I can find it on is eBay and not like B&H or adorama.

Looking to get one what? How do I take off the cover cap thing covering the 10 pin in your picture?

That's what the "cable thing" is for.

Thanks a ton! I think I might buy the MC-36 and see how that all goes

For a little more than $20 you can get a wireless remote by a brand called phottix. I have one and it works brilliant and gives you a range of about a 100 meters. The seller is Hong Kong supplies (ebay) and is very reliable.

I use the cheap e*ay 3' cable and have had great success with it. I need to purchase the 10' one for more flexibility.

 

If you put the camera into Long Exposure Noise Reduction mode, then you can subtract out the sensor noise in camera. Much easier than PS. The only drawback is your exposure time doubles. But, once you've paid that price, you're free and clear. I tried doing the noise reduction in post before, but the operation is more complex with several variables. In camera is easiest.

The photo of illustrating the 10 pin connector was copied from the letsgodigital.org website and was clearly marked as a copyrighted photo. It has been deleted from this thread. Please respect copyrights. You may provide links to where information can be found, but may not copy photos, especially those which are clearly labeled as being copyrighted.