Slow Shutter Speed

I think I may have a sensor problem. In low light situations my shutter speed is 1 second at best. The brighter the light the faster it goes.
I'm totally a newbie when it comes to the camera so please forgive me if its something simple.
I called Nikon & they asked me to send it in for repair. I can't I've got a trip lined up to Death Valley & The Valley of Fire. Obviously I want my camera.
Suggestions?

Could you provide some more information?
By 'low light conditions' do you mean near darkness?
Then a 1 sec exposure would be needed.

Are you shooting in Auto? Or Manual or P,S?
What ISO are you choosing?

There are a lot of factors which effects the shutter speed.

Yankytyke said:

I think I may have a sensor problem. In low light situations my shutter speed is 1 second at best. The brighter the light the faster it goes.
I'm totally a newbie when it comes to the camera so please forgive me if its something simple.
I called Nikon & they asked me to send it in for repair. I can't I've got a trip lined up to Death Valley & The Valley of Fire. Obviously I want my camera.
Suggestions?

Click to expand...

That sounds very reasonable to me. Do you get a reasonably exposed picture at this 1 second? You only have a problem if the exposure of the picture is far wrong.

You did not mention ISO or aperture, but exposure depends on those three factors, and of course on how bright is the lighting.

My D800, camera A mode, ISO 100, f/5.6. In a small room at noon, with one south window, I meter about 1/2 second aimed at a white closet door, and about 3 seconds aimed at a black audio speaker. Both give reasonable pictures, considering.

Like WayneF mentioned. I don't see anything out of the norm. Just for kicks in a room lit by a sunny window. With a 50mm lens, 100 ISO, F9 my shutter speed is 1 second.

We need to get a better idea of your other shooting parameters to see if it sounds abnormal. Give us an idea of how well your shooting area is lit and what your ISO and aperture are set to (and metering mode if you can).

Lots of parameters work together to get a "proper exposure". Moving one parameter up or down will affect others.

Use bulb mode you will get longer shutter speeds I am actually unsure of what you are asking about? Do you want longer shutter speeds in low light or are they too slow in low light!? If they are too slow then add light... If you want longer shutter speeds then select shutter priority! Or Bulb mode which either you will need a cable release of sorts or a steady hand...


​We need more information...

Yankytyke said:

I think I may have a sensor problem. In low light situations my shutter speed is 1 second at best. The brighter the light the faster it goes.
I'm totally a newbie when it comes to the camera so please forgive me if its something simple.
I called Nikon & they asked me to send it in for repair. I can't I've got a trip lined up to Death Valley & The Valley of Fire. Obviously I want my camera.
Suggestions?

Click to expand...

"The brighter the light the faster it goes"The answer is in your statement...

Is this a wind up

See if this helps:
Exposure | Understanding Exposure - ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed Explained

No its not a wind up. Like I said i'm new to the camera.
I ask due to I could take photos inside at pretty much 30 at F5. That's with lights on. Outside i'm lucky to get 30 inside its now 1.8 at best. I'm talking no where near to darkness.

Use the flash...

We'd like to help we just need a little more information about the situation. The mainly the type of light you're in (outside... sunny, overcast, rainy/dark), your aperture, your ISO and to some degree you metering mode (spot, center or full frame). Pointing at a brightly lit object (lit by direct sunlight) at f1.8 and ISO 100 you should be in the thousandsth of a second.

You need to supply full information of the situation your taking pictures in and what mode your using on the camera as well as iso and aperture or your not going to get any answers worth reading and if your new to the camera i suggest you read the manual before you start using it.
Thanks
Andy

Yankytyke said:

I think I may have a sensor problem. In low light situations my shutter speed is 1 second at best. The brighter the light the faster it goes.
I'm totally a newbie when it comes to the camera so please forgive me if its something simple.
I called Nikon & they asked me to send it in for repair. I can't I've got a trip lined up to Death Valley & The Valley of Fire. Obviously I want my camera.
Suggestions?

Click to expand...

You need to post a photo and include all the information about how you shot it. What shutter speed, what aperture, what ISO, what mode (Auto, Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority or full manual. Details are important if we are going to be able to help. So far what you are telling is is correct. The more light the faster the shutter speed.

Guidelines to adding a photo to your post.

1. Resize photo to 1000px on the long side.
2. Resolution set to 72ppi (Pixels Per Inch)

These guidelines will be good for viewing on a computer but will not be good for printing. This will help safeguard your copyright.