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Blurry Photo: Shutter Too Slow


I am just getting acquainted with a new Nikon D-80 and am experiencing problems in A (Aperture-priority) mode. Some photos I took of people indoors turned out very blurry, undoubtedly because the shutter took about 3-4 seconds to shut. I've tried adjusting the shutter speed but can't seem to find how. What am I doing wrong? Thanks.


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June 28, 2007

 

Christopher A. Vedros
  A mode is Aperture-priority, which means you select the aperture (f/stop) and the camera selects the shutter speed. In order to increase the shutter speed, you need to select a wider aperture (smaller f/number). You can also increase your ISO setting if necessary. You might want to sit down with your camera and the manual that came with it and go through each section, trying out the settings on the camera as you go along.
Chris A. Vedros
www.cavphotos.com


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June 28, 2007

 

Jon Close
  If you were shooting indoors with flash, you have the flash mode set to Slow Sync. That mode will balance the ambient light (thus the slow shutter speed) with the flash just providing fill light. If you want a fast shutter speed and the flash to be the main light, take the "Slow" setting off (see pp. 40-42 of the D80 manual) and set the slowest speed desired in the custom settings (#24, p. 98).


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June 28, 2007

 
sherry-adkins-photography.com - Sherry Karr Adkins

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  Try putting it on Shutter Priority (S), and set it at 60 or 125 to syn with the flash. The camera will set the aperature accordingly. When using flash, you need to adjust the white balance also to give it the correct color balance.


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June 28, 2007

 

Karin Marocchi
  Jon

Do you know if there's any way to turn the "slow" setting off on a Canon Digital Rebel?

Thanks
Karin


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July 03, 2007

 

Jon Close
  With EOS cameras, slow-sync flash is the default in Av mode. The later model DRebels XT and XTi (as well as the higher level bodies) have a custom function that will force the shutter speed to the x-sync speed when using flash in Av mode, but the original Digital Rebel lacks that feature. No matter. You've chosen Av because you want to control the aperture. Now you are also wanting to control the shutter speed ==> use M mode. You set the aperture you want, a higher shutter speed to prevent subject and camera motion, and the flash output/exposure is still automatically controlled.


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July 04, 2007

 

Karin Marocchi
  Thanks, I'll give it a try.


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July 04, 2007

 
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