Trouble shooting indoors with my D3200

I am fairly a newbie at DSLR and ran into an issue several times while shooting photos indoors. I use the pop-up flash and using the AUTO setting when I am indoors and sometimes the camera will not shoot. I think it is related to the auto focus not being able to focus when there is not enough light...even when it is not really that dark. I noticed that, if I switch off the AF, the camera will take the shot...but that then depends on my terrible focusing ability...yikes! Can anyone provide good advice regarding this? I am up to photographing an indoor event soon and would like to master this...at least enough to make decent photos.

​Thank you!

I'm not sure what camera/lens your using. If the camera can not set focus, it will not shoot, unless in your settings (camera specific) you tell it to shoot, even if it doesn't achieve focus. Some lenses, mostly telephoto lenses have a pretty high f stop number as a minimum aperture. This means that it doesn't let in as much light as other lenses. This also means that in low light, it's really hard for that lens/camera to get enough light through the lens to achieve focus. Is the AF assist beam on? That usually helps the problem a bit. What kind of camera/lens are you using? Pick up a 50mm 1.8... that's a wonderful cheap lens in low light.

The camera will not take the picture if it can't focus. Manual focus is the only override. But you have figured this out. Your options. Bring up the lighting where you are going to be shooting. Or, you need a prime lens that will allow for a wider (lower number) aperture to allow more light in for auto focus but now your depth of field is becoming shallow. Higher end cameras do better in lower light but they cost.

Prime recommendation would be a 35mm and NOT the 50mm. 50mm is for full frame cameras meaning on your DX camera that 50mm is more like 75mm and you might have difficulty getting close enough to your intended picture. 35mm is for the DX camera and you can get much closer. I have both lenses I have mentioned and I find the 50mm just does not nail the focus as consistently as the 35mm.

Well... ya. 50 for FF. But I'm not sure what kind of camera is being used... so in DX the 35. Not sure about the prices of that lens though. I used a 50mm 1.8 with my last DX and it still produced great pictures. But ya.. maybe they have a FF? Help us out QBan. What kind of camera/lens?

I'm too slow. What kind of camera are you using? DX or FX? Or model number.. and we can figure it out.

Mfrankfort said:

I'm too slow. What kind of camera are you using? DX or FX? Or model number.. and we can figure it out.

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LOL! His title says trouble with the D3200.

More like trouble with the user...definitely not a Nikon basher!

Camera is a D3200, lens is Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX...hope this helps

:crushed: Ohhhhh man... Guess I'm not too slow. I'm very slow... haha. Then ya... The 35 would be a good option. I'm not sure about the prices on that, but I know the 50mm can be around 150. I know everyone has their opinions, but I think the longer lenses (85, 120.. even 200) primes are great for low light. So the 50 would turn into 75 I think you said.. wouldn't be a bad option if you have the space to stand far enough back. And I'm not sure what kind of event, but if you need to get close.. the longer focal length the better I would think. Or just go for the 15,000$ 800mm. haha.

Oh it helps... I'm just a little slow today. I guess it's important to know also how far away from the "event" and what kind of event it is. The 35mm might be great, but if your sitting far back, even a 200mm might not be close enough. I guess I would try to find that out first. Also, if it's sports and low light.. your going to want a very fast lens.

I only wish I could afford taht Mfrankfort! Just a newbie with lots of aspirations. Maybe I should stick with the kit lens....55-70mm for the event?

Oops....forgot to mention the event. It's a Vacation Bible School where I have to photograph all the kids, participants and activities. Most of the area is lighted by florescent light.

Qban Al said:

Camera is a D3200, lens is Nikon55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VRAF-S DX...hope this helps

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Your problem is that your 55-200 is a zoom lens and even at 55mm you've limited the amount of available light your lens can gather. The 55-200 also has a maximum aperture of f/4.5 which, while not exactly slow, is not speedy either and certainly isn't helping your auto-focus situation. Look into the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX to solve your woes. It's an inexpensive lens that will serve you well.

Great!....I will definitely look into that.

I was worried that perhaps that my pop up flash was not enough...that I needed to buy a speedlight.

Qban Al said:

I was worried that perhaps that my pop up flash was not enough...that I needed to buy a speedlight.

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The camera flash is rather weak. But with better glass like a 35mm prime ($200 in the U.S.) you will probably be good.

I agree. The camera's flash is a... uh oh, I need light source. If you really want some power, a speelight is the way to go. But you'll notice a big difference in the lens. As long as your not in the stands, and can move around (zoom with your feet), a prime lens, especially the 35 or 50 at 200 will make a huge difference in letting in light. Make sure your white balance matches your lighting though. Extra tip for ya.

Qban Al said:

I was worried that perhaps that my pop up flash was not enough...that I needed to buy a speedlight.

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The problem with your camera not being able to auto-focus is because auto-focus requires a certain amount of contrast in order to function. If it doesn't get that contrast it can't focus and your camera is set up to prevent the shutter from opening until focus-lock is obtained. So, in short...

No contrast = No focus-lock = No shot.

You can turn off the Focus Lock feature, but that's effectively going to Manual focus. Adding a flash/Speedlight won't help with auto-focus because the strobe doesn't fire until the shutter is opened.

Once again, your issue is auto-focusing in low light; and your solution is a faster lens.

Thank you all for spending time to enlighten a complete photo neophyte. Glad I am doing the gig without pay or I would be fried. One day, I will know all the ins and outs.