shutter speed malfunctioning on D5100
- Thread starter PapaRoe
- Start date
PaulPosition
Senior Member
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
Can't read the exif from tapatalk but if indeed that last one was shoot in program mode, there's something wrong going on with the camera software if not the with the shutter.
Can't read the exif from tapatalk but if indeed that last one was shoot in program mode, there's something wrong going on with the camera software if not the with the shutter.
PaulPosition
Senior Member
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
Not saying it wasn't, I'm saying I can't check what mode was selected. But if, indeed, it was P mode, I don't think you can rotate for negative EV *that* far as to make it pure black (or could you? Like, -10EV ?!)
Not saying it wasn't, I'm saying I can't check what mode was selected. But if, indeed, it was P mode, I don't think you can rotate for negative EV *that* far as to make it pure black (or could you? Like, -10EV ?!)
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
I don't think that's possible, plus the flash won't pop up.
PaulPosition
Senior Member
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
Less I'm mistaken, flash won't pop up by itself in Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority or Manual.
Look at nikon site to see if there's any firmware update, what they correct and how to install (basically, you copy a file to your sd-card)...
Less I'm mistaken, flash won't pop up by itself in Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority or Manual.
Look at nikon site to see if there's any firmware update, what they correct and how to install (basically, you copy a file to your sd-card)...
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
I will look into it tomorrow. 10 pm here and 5 am roles around to quickly to stay up much later. If I find out any more I will keep everyone informed. Thanks everyone for all your advice.
I will look into it tomorrow. 10 pm here and 5 am roles around to quickly to stay up much later. If I find out any more I will keep everyone informed. Thanks everyone for all your advice.
Bob Blaylock
Senior Member
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
Not so fast…
1/20 of a second, at ƒ5, with an ISO of 3200. So this is at a fairly low light level. With these settings, the camera jacked up the ISO, so that it could take a picture at a reasonable shutter speed. At the size it appears here, it looks good, but I bet if you zoom in on your copy, you'll see an unusual amount of noise, due to the high ISO setting; think of that as being roughly analogous to the courser grain to be expected of using high-speed film in a stone-aged camera..
1.3 seconds, at ƒ5.3, with the ISO at 100. Not being allowed to jack up the ISO, the camera had no choice but to go with a slow shutter speed. I'm assuming the same level of light as the previous picture. You did a good job of holding the camera still, this time. Conventional wisdom holds that given a “normal” focal length lens, an average photographer can only get a good picture with a handheld camera down to about 1/30 or 1/25 of a second. Any slower than that, and it is traditionally expected that you need to use a tripod or some other good camera support. The VR feature seems to really help, here.
2.5 seconds, at ƒ9, and ISO 100. You didn't hold the camera as still this time, which is why it is blurry.
I think it is clear that in all of the above pictures, the problem is that you're shooting in low light, and you don't really know how to work the camera. In the “A” mode, the camera was able to jack up the ISO as needed, to get the other parameters reasonable. In the other modes, you had the IO locked at 100, which is just too low for handheld shots at that light level.
1/4000 of a second, at ƒ5, ISO 100. At that setting, in low light, I would expect no visible image; just solid black.
I do not think that there is is anything wrong with your camera. You just don't know how to use it. It seems to be working exactly as it ought to, under the conditions in which you are trying to use it. You just need to learn how to set it for these conditions.
Not so fast…
1/20 of a second, at ƒ5, with an ISO of 3200. So this is at a fairly low light level. With these settings, the camera jacked up the ISO, so that it could take a picture at a reasonable shutter speed. At the size it appears here, it looks good, but I bet if you zoom in on your copy, you'll see an unusual amount of noise, due to the high ISO setting; think of that as being roughly analogous to the courser grain to be expected of using high-speed film in a stone-aged camera..
1.3 seconds, at ƒ5.3, with the ISO at 100. Not being allowed to jack up the ISO, the camera had no choice but to go with a slow shutter speed. I'm assuming the same level of light as the previous picture. You did a good job of holding the camera still, this time. Conventional wisdom holds that given a “normal” focal length lens, an average photographer can only get a good picture with a handheld camera down to about 1/30 or 1/25 of a second. Any slower than that, and it is traditionally expected that you need to use a tripod or some other good camera support. The VR feature seems to really help, here.
2.5 seconds, at ƒ9, and ISO 100. You didn't hold the camera as still this time, which is why it is blurry.
I think it is clear that in all of the above pictures, the problem is that you're shooting in low light, and you don't really know how to work the camera. In the “A” mode, the camera was able to jack up the ISO as needed, to get the other parameters reasonable. In the other modes, you had the IO locked at 100, which is just too low for handheld shots at that light level.
1/4000 of a second, at ƒ5, ISO 100. At that setting, in low light, I would expect no visible image; just solid black.
I do not think that there is is anything wrong with your camera. You just don't know how to use it. It seems to be working exactly as it ought to, under the conditions in which you are trying to use it. You just need to learn how to set it for these conditions.
Bob Blaylock
Senior Member
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
I have to admit that I am a bit stumped as to how he got a 1/4000 shutter speed, in such low light, in P mode. I cannot duplicate it on my D3200; I am assuming that there is some setting on a D5100 that is either absent on the D3200 or else I have not found it, that allows P mode to select exposure settings outside of those appropriate to the light level. Aside from that one picture, his others are very easily explained—very consistent with him just now knowing how to work the camera; I would easily be able to duplicate the same “problems” on my D3200.
I have to admit that I am a bit stumped as to how he got a 1/4000 shutter speed, in such low light, in P mode. I cannot duplicate it on my D3200; I am assuming that there is some setting on a D5100 that is either absent on the D3200 or else I have not found it, that allows P mode to select exposure settings outside of those appropriate to the light level. Aside from that one picture, his others are very easily explained—very consistent with him just now knowing how to work the camera; I would easily be able to duplicate the same “problems” on my D3200.
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
Have you tried to Pop up the flash and then shoot. At time the "P" mode acts strangely, and does not fire the flash. I would suggest that you try the following settings for shots inside the room
. Mode : "A"
. Auto ISO : Off
. Flash : Off
. ISO : 400
. Aperture : F5.6
. Now check what exposure speed the camera is recommending. In low light is should be between 1/10 and 1 sec. Shoot.
Now Pop up the flash.
. Check what exposure speed the camera is recommending. It should be between 1/60 and 1/200.
. If that is so, then the camera is fine. Shoot.
Most of us shoot in broad daylight and rarely realise how much light there is. Once you get indoors the light reduces by 5 to 10 EV (that is you have to increase the exposure by so many stops), that is because human eye has a tremendous Dynamic Range, at least four times that of the best DSLR. So once you are indoors, you need additional light. Those of us who shot film with manual exposure are well aware of this, and used the light meter to set the exposure, as well as the table printed on the flash to set the flash power (or aperture depending on flash power and subject distance). Most of the old timers know intuitively what setting should be made - aperture/speed for a given ISO for the existing light.
With modern all automatic cameras, we simply rely on the camera to get a good exposure with clear blur free images. The camera "P" mode further complicates the matters, as when it works, it works like a charm, when it does not you are stumped.
That is one of the reasons, for those seriously interested in photography, a knowledge of basics; light, flash power, aperture-speed-ISO relationship; is essential.
Have you tried to Pop up the flash and then shoot. At time the "P" mode acts strangely, and does not fire the flash. I would suggest that you try the following settings for shots inside the room
. Mode : "A"
. Auto ISO : Off
. Flash : Off
. ISO : 400
. Aperture : F5.6
. Now check what exposure speed the camera is recommending. In low light is should be between 1/10 and 1 sec. Shoot.
Now Pop up the flash.
. Check what exposure speed the camera is recommending. It should be between 1/60 and 1/200.
. If that is so, then the camera is fine. Shoot.
Most of us shoot in broad daylight and rarely realise how much light there is. Once you get indoors the light reduces by 5 to 10 EV (that is you have to increase the exposure by so many stops), that is because human eye has a tremendous Dynamic Range, at least four times that of the best DSLR. So once you are indoors, you need additional light. Those of us who shot film with manual exposure are well aware of this, and used the light meter to set the exposure, as well as the table printed on the flash to set the flash power (or aperture depending on flash power and subject distance). Most of the old timers know intuitively what setting should be made - aperture/speed for a given ISO for the existing light.
With modern all automatic cameras, we simply rely on the camera to get a good exposure with clear blur free images. The camera "P" mode further complicates the matters, as when it works, it works like a charm, when it does not you are stumped.
That is one of the reasons, for those seriously interested in photography, a knowledge of basics; light, flash power, aperture-speed-ISO relationship; is essential.
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
I agree with your conclusions as well which is what I suspected and have mentioned on my initial post. The root cause is what we normally call "operator error".
For indoor, use a speed light or external flash. Use M mode to control the speed and aperture. Set ISO sensitivity to ISO 200 Max at ISO 3200. Set Auto ISO to "ON". In Manual mode, use 1/60, and whatever aperture you have depending on the focal length that is being used.
Like what I said, ISO 100 or 200 for indoor is going to give you a darker image unless you have a lot of lights that are turned on but I doubt it. Ideally, ISO 800 to 1,600 will be good.
I agree with your conclusions as well which is what I suspected and have mentioned on my initial post. The root cause is what we normally call "operator error".
For indoor, use a speed light or external flash. Use M mode to control the speed and aperture. Set ISO sensitivity to ISO 200 Max at ISO 3200. Set Auto ISO to "ON". In Manual mode, use 1/60, and whatever aperture you have depending on the focal length that is being used.
Like what I said, ISO 100 or 200 for indoor is going to give you a darker image unless you have a lot of lights that are turned on but I doubt it. Ideally, ISO 800 to 1,600 will be good.
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
Ok, some questions:
1) In the first picture, on AUTO, did the flash pop up? The flash should pop up automatically for pretty much all indoor shots on Auto. The 1/20 shutter speed does not seem like a speed Auto would choose. Flash should have popped up and a higher shutter speed automatically chosen. This could be a malfunction if you were in Auto or normal behavior if you were mistaken about being in auto.
2) In the 2nd picture, was flash used? The picture looks as expected for the settings shown with no flash.
3) In the 3rd picture, you say it was 'S' mode, but you could not change the shutter speed. This makes no sense. In S mode, you can set the shutter to whatever you want. You likely will not get a good picture, but certainly any shutter speed can be chosen. So please explain what you mean by 'you could not change shutter speed' This could be a camera malfunction if you were in S and could not change the speed. Again, possibly normal behavior if you were mistakenly not in S mode.
4) In the 4th picture, you have a shutter speed of 1/4000. This seems impossible in P mode for an indoor scene. This could be a malfunction if you were in P mode, but normal behavior for other modes.
5) Also in the 4th picture, you say you could not get the flash to pop up. To clarify, are you are pushing the little lightning bolt button on the top side of the camera? If you were pushing the flash button AND you were in P mode, AND the flash did not pop up, this could be a malfunction.
Looking back over my questions, we have four possible malfunctions, #1, #3, #4, #5. They could be malfunctions, but these problems could also all be easily explained by you not being in the mode you thought you were in. Does your mode dial feel OK? Is the selected mode pointed to solidly the line at the left of the dial? I think for that 4th all black picture, you would need to have been in S or M to get 1/4000 along with a totally unexposed shot.
Ok, some questions:
1) In the first picture, on AUTO, did the flash pop up? The flash should pop up automatically for pretty much all indoor shots on Auto. The 1/20 shutter speed does not seem like a speed Auto would choose. Flash should have popped up and a higher shutter speed automatically chosen. This could be a malfunction if you were in Auto or normal behavior if you were mistaken about being in auto.
2) In the 2nd picture, was flash used? The picture looks as expected for the settings shown with no flash.
3) In the 3rd picture, you say it was 'S' mode, but you could not change the shutter speed. This makes no sense. In S mode, you can set the shutter to whatever you want. You likely will not get a good picture, but certainly any shutter speed can be chosen. So please explain what you mean by 'you could not change shutter speed' This could be a camera malfunction if you were in S and could not change the speed. Again, possibly normal behavior if you were mistakenly not in S mode.
4) In the 4th picture, you have a shutter speed of 1/4000. This seems impossible in P mode for an indoor scene. This could be a malfunction if you were in P mode, but normal behavior for other modes.
5) Also in the 4th picture, you say you could not get the flash to pop up. To clarify, are you are pushing the little lightning bolt button on the top side of the camera? If you were pushing the flash button AND you were in P mode, AND the flash did not pop up, this could be a malfunction.
Looking back over my questions, we have four possible malfunctions, #1, #3, #4, #5. They could be malfunctions, but these problems could also all be easily explained by you not being in the mode you thought you were in. Does your mode dial feel OK? Is the selected mode pointed to solidly the line at the left of the dial? I think for that 4th all black picture, you would need to have been in S or M to get 1/4000 along with a totally unexposed shot.
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
Boy do I feel like a goober--well at least partially. I did change my ISO (which I know should be higher in low light, but I failed to do it). However, I can not get the flash to pop open. I have a SB600 Flash, that I normally use, but the bulb blew, and I have had it repaired yet. I apologize, for my ignorance, but I wonder if some of my problem is that my flash is not popping up when needed. Everything worked much better when placed on "M" and I was able to adjust some of the settings.
Boy do I feel like a goober--well at least partially. I did change my ISO (which I know should be higher in low light, but I failed to do it). However, I can not get the flash to pop open. I have a SB600 Flash, that I normally use, but the bulb blew, and I have had it repaired yet. I apologize, for my ignorance, but I wonder if some of my problem is that my flash is not popping up when needed. Everything worked much better when placed on "M" and I was able to adjust some of the settings.
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
Maybe have a look in your shooting menu to make sure your flash is not disabled. There should be a small button to turn the flash on (I don't have the 5100 but I suspect is would be on the left side of the flash in the front of the cam). I'd also suggest you get some tutorials about light meters and exposure as there would be useful information for you to understand about before blaming the camera. Best of luck and enjoy your Nikon.
Maybe have a look in your shooting menu to make sure your flash is not disabled. There should be a small button to turn the flash on (I don't have the 5100 but I suspect is would be on the left side of the flash in the front of the cam). I'd also suggest you get some tutorials about light meters and exposure as there would be useful information for you to understand about before blaming the camera. Best of luck and enjoy your Nikon.
Englischdude
Senior Member
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
does the shutter release immediately when the button is pressed? i remember someone complaining of the same thing (not on this forum), as it turned out the timer shutter release was on and set to on 2 seconds, so he would press the shutter release button, then nothing would happen for two seconds
, this he then interpreted as being "slow shutter speed". as you have not given us much concrete data to go on we should also consider the not so obvious possibilities.
does the shutter release immediately when the button is pressed? i remember someone complaining of the same thing (not on this forum), as it turned out the timer shutter release was on and set to on 2 seconds, so he would press the shutter release button, then nothing would happen for two seconds
, this he then interpreted as being "slow shutter speed". as you have not given us much concrete data to go on we should also consider the not so obvious possibilities.Re: Camera is malfunctioning
I have faced the "slow shutter" phenomenon. I pressed the shutter and suddenly for some shots it would either not fire or take its own time. Diagnosed to the fact that the camera was hunting for focus. This normally happened when either there was no contrast (blank featureless wall) or tremendous contrast (sun shining through bush with small leaves). Another occation when the camera refuses to fire is when the object is closer than the minimum focusing distance. If I am on the border, then the camera pauses and if my hand shakes and the distance increases it will fire, exhibiting all the charachteristics of a slow shutter.
does the shutter release immediately when the button is pressed? i remember someone complaining of the same thing (not on this forum), as it turned out the timer shutter release was on and set to on 2 seconds, so he would press the shutter release button, then nothing would happen for two seconds
I have faced the "slow shutter" phenomenon. I pressed the shutter and suddenly for some shots it would either not fire or take its own time. Diagnosed to the fact that the camera was hunting for focus. This normally happened when either there was no contrast (blank featureless wall) or tremendous contrast (sun shining through bush with small leaves). Another occation when the camera refuses to fire is when the object is closer than the minimum focusing distance. If I am on the border, then the camera pauses and if my hand shakes and the distance increases it will fire, exhibiting all the charachteristics of a slow shutter.
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
That happened to a guy here too.
http://nikonites.com/d7000/10670-shutter-speed-stuck.html#axzz337SzqzRo
His pictures were coming out good though. PapaRoe is getting some slow shots.
does the shutter release immediately when the button is pressed? i remember someone complaining of the same thing (not on this forum), as it turned out the timer shutter release was on and set to on 2 seconds, so he would press the shutter release button, then nothing would happen for two seconds
That happened to a guy here too.
http://nikonites.com/d7000/10670-shutter-speed-stuck.html#axzz337SzqzRo
His pictures were coming out good though. PapaRoe is getting some slow shots.
Re: Camera is malfunctioning
I have both pushed the button on the left of the flash (on the body of the camera), and gone into the settings. This is the probably "Operator Error" again, but if someone can (once again) point this ol man on how to do this I would greatly appreciate it.
I have both pushed the button on the left of the flash (on the body of the camera), and gone into the settings. This is the probably "Operator Error" again, but if someone can (once again) point this ol man on how to do this I would greatly appreciate it.