Setting shutter speed "floor" in Program auto

[expat42451]

I am learning digital photography with a Nikon D 7000. Have had the camera for several weeks and am out almost every day shooting.

One of the things I like is street and crowd photography. Since by nature its un posed....having a camera that will do a lot of the overhead work in impromptu situations --well its a whole new world. I also like landscape, flowers and shoot manual, or program or aperture depending on the situation. I have yet to use any of the scene presets in this camera when I shoot less dynamic subjects.

So letting the camera do the work (ISO, shutter and aperture) is very freeing in being able to concentrate on composition. That having been said in some situations I find unexpected results-- today in shooting a group of people in a sidewalk cafe here in Program auto I found in some of the higher contrast situations, the camera would use F5.6 w/ ISO of 100 and a shutter of 1/40th. The shutter speed resulted in motion in several shots. I realize that I could have avoided part of this by changing the exposure weighting. I have spent the last hour trying to find in the shooting menu on the Nikon how to set a shutter speed floor where I can eliminate the motion problem. I realize that I can shoot in shutter priority mode or in manual mode and eliminate this. However if I can figure out how to set a speed floor on the shutter in Program then the shooting will be easier and with possibly better results than shooting manual. I used to shoot manual in my film days with a Nikon F many years ago. This is a totally different world and I am still trying to learn to use the camera.

In ISO sensitivity settings in the shooting menu one can choose a minimum shutter speed...but it seems that in Program auto mode the camera will ignore the minimum shutter speed set in ISO sensitivity and slow things down where you are back at 1/25th or 1/40th.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for the read and for tolerating a somewhat inexperienced user.

Expat42451

 

[Josh66]

What lens were you using, and what focal length was it on if it was a zoom?

I suspect that the camera is going as low as it thinks it can for the focal length you are using... I know that some cameras I have used would not go under the shutter speed = focal length rule in the program modes.


Also, I'm not all that familiar with Nikon bodies - can you change the metering mode in program? If so, what was that on?


If it isn't one of those things, I'm out of ideas.

 

[expat42451]

TPF

Thanks very much for the kind interest.......the one picture where it was most annoying was using the 18-105 F3.5-5.6 zoom. Focal length was 105 MM Auto focus. The camera exposed the shot at F 5.6, 1/40th with metering set on matrix (area) and Auto ISO at 100. So yep I probably was pushing some of the parameters. What I think I SHOULD have done was meter the shot in spot mode (dark subject, light background)......Since I am new to the forum I am loath to try to post the crop (that was the "keeper") here. And yes in program mode it is possible to change metering mode.


Thanks
expat42451

 

[Josh66]

Focal length was 105 MM Auto focus. The camera exposed the shot at F 5.6, 1/40th with metering set on matrix (area) and Auto ISO at 100.

Well, that rules out my first idea...

The only thing I have left is that the camera thought you were on a tripod.

 

[expat42451]

LOL it may have I ve got to try to figure out how to post images here I have never done that before.the sticky on that loks pretty good let me review that

Thanks
Expat

 

[KmH]

See page 68 of your D7000 users manual, item #2 where they discuss the Flexible Program and being able to adjust aperture and shutter speed when in P mode.

 

[gsgary]

I always shoot in manual, when i'm shooting in the streets i also carry a seperate light meter so i can check the exposure while keeping my camera hidden

 

[photocist]

I always shoot in manual, when i'm shooting in the streets i also carry a seperate light meter so i can check the exposure will keeping my camera hidden

quote to emphasize

 

[expat42451]

KMH Thanks very much for the pointer to the manual...gsgary and photocist thanks for the interesting idea as well......

Back from downtown today lots of shooting--594 pictures-- part of a blues group called Lola from Atlanta Ga.... brief perusal of the stuff I shot-- I still do not know how to use the camera in challenging situations. I am more pleased with my composition on much of the stuff than I thought I would be but still technical errors from not knowing well enough how to use among other things active d-lighting. Also when to shift from program to either shutter or aperture but that comes with practice and study...

Interesting aside I have been in the market for a 70-300 Nikon with VR ED to join the 18-105 kit lens and my only (now) prime--a 50 MM 1.8. Ran into a photographer who had a booth open and had her kit there and wanted to sell her 70-300VR ED. She said it was less than 6 months old. I shot it and ended up getting it for $175. The zoom feels like a new lens. Completely clean glass with a Sunpack UV filter so its not been a bad day at all....the fanny pack is heavier now though.

Thanks to everyone here for the kind interest, help and suggestions. Also thanks for all of your expertise.

Expat42451

 

[KmH]

You stole the 70-300 VR at only $175.