Shutter speed Nikon D3000?

How do I make the shutter speed on the Nikon D3000 go as long as about 2-3 minutes, it only seems to go to about 30 seconds and I can't work out how to manually change it, how do I make it go for longer?

~timmy is obviously clueless - why bother answering?

You need to select 'bulb' mode, that way the shutter will stay open as long as you hold it open. As this will result in camera shake (from holding the shutter down), you'll need a remote release. A ML-L3 release cost about £10.

You need to go into manual mode (M) and then rotate the shutter control thumb wheel past the 30" mark until you see 'bulb' on the display.

You need to be in Manual Mode and then you can select the "B" (for Bulb) on your shutter speed dial and keep the shutter open as long as you want. You'll also need the previously mentioned Nikon ML-L3 remote and a tripod.

If you're planning on shooting star trails this site will help: http://www.danheller.com/star-trails

If you're planning on using a 2 to 3 minute exposure during the day then you'll need Neutral Density (and) filters since your minimum aperture when using your 18-55mm zoom is at 55mm and is f36. Even with ISO 100 on a sunny day a 2 minute exposure at f36 will severely over-expose your picture.

Here are a couple of articles about and filters:

http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/User-Guide/filter/filter-ND.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/...ity_filter

I use and recommend this site for low-light/night exposures:

http://www.calculator.org/...osure.aspx

I based these exposures on 'Distant view of city skyline, floodlit buildings' and used ISO 200:

100mm @ f11, exposure of 30 seconds.

200mm @ f11, exposure of 30 seconds.