Nikon has quietly been adding a new shutter speed mode that eliminates the need for a cable release on some images. I’ve told many workshops participants how using a rubber band and small stone will work great to hold the shutter speed button down during a ‘Bulb’ exposure…especially useful when you want to shoot a star trail image and left your cable release at home. But the D810 and newer cameras from Nikon offer a “- -” option when you shoot in manual mode. After 30″ but before Bulb mode you will see – – as a choice. When you choose this mode, you press the shutter to open the shutter, and then depress the shutter again to close the shutter. You can leave your shutter open as long as you like using this two button mode. You have to be careful not to shake the camera when you press the shutter, but for long exposures in the dark you probably won’t see minor camera shake. So the next time you forget your cable release, take a look and see if your camera has this mode, you may not need your cable release after all.