Shutter speeds?

[Caroleen]

I'm new to digital SLR also and my dh bought me a D80. Well, in practicing today I set my camera on Manual mode, set the aperature at a certain amount and wanted to change the shutter speed. The camera stayed on 1/200 and would not let me go above that. Is that normal or is there something wrong with the camera? Thanks for any help. CJ

[rkmart]

Rotate the main command dial to change shutter speed and the sub-command dial to set aperture in Manual mode. :):)

[Caroleen]

I did that. It would not change above 200.

[JulieM]

Hi Caroleen,

What you need to remember is that a proper exposure depends on 3 variables: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. I think probably you're not considering ISO? So, if you have a preferred aperture for a shot and for that aperture the camera won't let you make your shutter speed any higher (faster) than 1/200, it is telling you that it needs more light than would be let in if the shutter is set faster than 1/200. Increase the ISO setting and try the exposure again. (Higher ISO settings need less light for a proper exposure.)

I hope this helps.

[Caroleen]

OK, I'll try that Julie. Hopefully, when another chance comes it I will remember that.
There are so many instances that I wish there was someone there to critique things for me and tell me Yes or No. Love this forum for that reason. CJ

[JulieM]

I hope that does the trick for you. Someone more experienced may still stop by and give you better advice so stay tuned.

Have you played around with aperture priority and shutter priority? I feel they are a good starting point when you are beginning to take your camera off auto mode. Good luck!

[Whiplash-GT]

in "M" mode iso shouldn't make a difference
the camera should do exactly what you tell it to
if i want to run iso 100, f16 and a 25 second exposure to create a certain effect M is where i want to be...the camera's metering should be redundant and it should not be taking over any controls of the camera, regardless of what it thinks the final outcome should be

i don't believe auto-iso would have this effect either, it will just move up the iso to compensate within the limitations you have set for it, beyond that it should still let you set things to your preference
when you get some time check the iso settings and the speed settings you have set for it

personally i almost always have auto-iso set to off and run iso100, but if i do use it i've allowed up to iso400 and no less than 1/60s

[LeeOtsubo]

I'm new to digital SLR also and my dh bought me a D80. Well, in practicing today I set my camera on Manual mode, set the aperature at a certain amount and wanted to change the shutter speed. The camera stayed on 1/200 and would not let me go above that. Is that normal or is there something wrong with the camera? Thanks for any help. CJ
Sounds like you're using flash and the camera is maxed out at its fastest flash synch speed of 1/200. You should take a class.

[JulieM]

Lee and Whiplash, thank you for setting me straight.

Carol, sorry for the erroneous information. :o

[TonyW]

As I recall (and I do have a D80) both Flash and Auto ISO can have that effect. For some odd reason Auto ISO is active in Manual and does effect some of the adjustments. I have it turned off as I found it caused more confusion than usefulness although I can see how in some situations it could be a good thing to use.

Tony

[GaryK]

Tony

What an odd feature to default "on" in maual mode??:rolleyes:

[rkmart]

I found in the Nikon Manual that the shutter speed could be effective by the type of lenses. Other than that you can set the shutter speed anything you want.

The other thing could be that the lense is not put on correctly. The contacts are not seeded properly.

[Cmcburnett]

I'm new to digital SLR also and my dh bought me a D80. Well, in practicing today I set my camera on Manual mode, set the aperature at a certain amount and wanted to change the shutter speed. The camera stayed on 1/200 and would not let me go above that. Is that normal or is there something wrong with the camera? Thanks for any help. CJ

Caroleen, I posted a thread just below this one. Looks like we have the same problem. I will be sure to watch your results as I am learning to use my D80 also. The folks here are very helpful. I agree with Lee, I need to give up trying to lean on my own and take a class. I'm sure it would be a lot less stressful. Good luck.

[lexcell]

Caroleen,
While there have been some excellent suggestions, I can't see any of them preventing you from going above 1/200 f a second in manual mode.

With the flash popped up, I was able to go above 1/200, with Auto ISO set, I was able to go above 1/200, I could not get the camera to prevent me from going above 1/200 of a second.

Maybe if you can check your exif information, and post it, we can come up with a solution....

[Caroleen]

Well, I'm sorry its been so late in responding - keeping kids. Thanks for all the ideas.

I just set the camera again. I set up the picture and it DID go above 1/200 Until I put the flash up. Then it clicked back down to 1/200. I checked the Auto ISO and it was turned off and wouldn't let you set it. So I guess it must be that the flash is up. CJ

[lexcell]

There you have it. I'm surprised this happened in manual. In Auto, that would be the standard response from your camera. In manual, you can usually override the camera even to your own detriment at times. :)