Is 30sec the longest the shutter will be open on D5100 Nikon?

If so is there any way to make it longer?

Added (1). Thank you for that. Also would you consider D5100 to be a fair prof camera for beginner photography?

It is the longest timed shutter speed on ANY dSLR. If you want longer exposures, you will need to use the bulb setting and use a remote shutter release to hold it open so you do not move the camera during the exposure.

Go to bulb mode and get a remote shutter. Preferably with a timer. In this mode you have to press and hold the shutter manually to keep the shutter open. Then release whenever you want it to close. You could also do it by just holding the shutter button, but it'll get tiring.

This is good for night photography or shooting star trails.

Consult the owners manual, or Nikon Customer Service. There's a mode which opens the shutter the first time you press the release button; and it stays open until you press it again.

Your manual says that the D5100 has a bulb mode but only available when the camera is in manual - which is typical for those cameras that have such a mode.

Bulb mode - on a DSLR - is usually good for up to 30 minutes.

I'll leave it to you to read your manual and figure out how to use it.

How about 30 mnutes? Have you read the 200 page owners manual that came with it? Look in the back where it says ' bulb '…

Use Bulb mode. The D5100 is not a professional camera. Professional cameras cost more than $4, 000, not including lenses and other accessories. The D5100 is a fantastic entry-level DSLR. DSLR does not = professional camera.