Shot F5 1/60 in auto mode, shouldn't it have a 1/60 shutter in 'A' mode if I use F5?

personalt · Jan 12, 2012

Shooting some test shots of my son to try to learn aperture priority mode. When I have it in Program or portrait mode the camera selects F5 1/60 for my given picture. My expectation was that if I put it in 'A' mode and set it to F5 my expectation was that the camera would select 1/60 as the shutter speed. however it seems to settle on 1/8 or 1/10 size which is somewhat blury and overexposed

Pictures are here.. DSC028 is in 'A' mode, DSC029 is in auto mode.
Flickr: personalt's Photostream

Iexif info is below. I cant figure why the exposure is so much slower in 'A' mode when using the same f stop. I looked through the other settings and nothing to me explains the slower sutter in 'A' mode. Anyone have any ideas? thanks so much - Rich
[Image] ------------------- Aperture Prioirity
Make = NIKON CORPORATION
Model = NIKON D80
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 300
Y Resolution = 300
Resolution Unit = inch
Software = Ver.1.01
Date Time = 2012-01-12 19:29:27
YCbCr Positioning = co-sited
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 216
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/8"
F Number = F5
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 800
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2012-01-12 19:29:27
Date Time Digitized = 2012-01-12 19:29:27
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Compressed Bits Per Pixel = 4
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F3.48
Metering Mode = Pattern
Light Source = unknown
Flash = Flash fired, auto mode, return light detected, red-eye reduction mode
Focal Length = 24mm
Maker Note = 26154 Byte
User Comment =
Subsec Time =
Subsec Time Original =
Subsec Time Digitized =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 3872
Exif Image Height = 2592
Interoperability IFD Pointer = Offset: 27006
Sensing Method = One-chip color area sensor
File Source = DSC
Scene Type = A directly photographed image
CFA Pattern = [G,B],
[R,G]
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1x
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 36mm
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = Low gain up
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal
Subject Distance Range = unknown
[Interoperability]
Interoperability Index = ExifR98
Interoperability Version = Version 1.0
[Thumbnail Info]
Compression = JPEG Compressed (Thumbnail)
X Resolution = 300
Y Resolution = 300
Resolution Unit = inch
JPEG Interchange Format = Offset: 27144
JPEG Interchange Format Length = Length: 9343
YCbCr Positioning = co-sited
[Thumbnail]
Thumbnail = 160 x 120
[MakerNote (Nikon)]
Makernote Version = 0210
ISO Speed Used = 800
Colour Mode = COLOR
Quality = FINE
White Balance = AUTO
Sharpening = AUTO
Focus Mode = AF-C
Flash Setting = RED-EYE SLOW
Auto Flash Mode = Built-in,TTL
White Balance Bias Value = 0
White Balance Red, Blue Coefficients = 475/256, 341/256, 256/256, 256/256
000D = 00, 01, 06, 00
Exposure Diff = 00, 01, 0C, 00
ThumbOffset = 2738
Flash Compensation = 00, 01, 06, 00
ISO Speed Requested = 800
Photo corner coordinates = 0, 0, 3872, 2592
0017 = 00, 01, 06, 00
Flash Bracket Compensation Applied = 00, 01, 06, 00
AE Bracket Compensation Applied = 0EV
001B = 0, 3904, 2616, 3904, 2616, 0, 0
001D = 3280593
001E = 1
001F = 30, 31, 30, 30, 01, 01, 00, 00
Tone Compensation (Contrast) = AUTO
Lens Type = Nikon G series Lens
Lens Min/Max Focal Length, Max Aperture = 240/10, 1200/10, 35/10, 56/10
Flash Used = Flash Fired
Auto Focus Area = 02, 00, 00, 00
Bracketing & Shooting Mode = 33
008A = 2
008B = 40, 01, 0C, 00
Colour Mode = MODE1a
Lighting Type = SPEEDLIGHT
Hue Adjustmen = 0
Noise Reduction = OFF
009A = 605/100, 605/100
009E = 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
00A2 = 3687765
00A3 = 0
Total Number of Shutter Releases for Camera = 6277
00A8 = 30, 31, 30, 31, 02, 2E, 00, 00, 00, 01, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00
Image optimisation = NORMAL
Saturation = AUTO
Digital Vari-Program =
00B0 = 30, 31, 30, 30, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00
00B1 = 4
00B3 =

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Image]
Make = NIKON CORPORATION
Model = NIKON D80
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 300
Y Resolution = 300
Resolution Unit = inch
Software = Ver.1.01
Date Time = 2012-01-12 19:29:37
YCbCr Positioning = co-sited
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 216
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/60"
F Number = F5
Exposure Program = Not defined
ISO Speed Ratings = 800
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2012-01-12 19:29:37
Date Time Digitized = 2012-01-12 19:29:37
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Compressed Bits Per Pixel = 4
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F3.48
Metering Mode = Pattern
Light Source = unknown
Flash = Flash fired, auto mode, return light detected
Focal Length = 24mm
Maker Note = 24602 Byte
User Comment =
Subsec Time = 0.90"
Subsec Time Original = 0.90"
Subsec Time Digitized = 0.90"
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 3872
Exif Image Height = 2592
Interoperability IFD Pointer = Offset: 25454
Sensing Method = One-chip color area sensor
File Source = DSC
Scene Type = A directly photographed image
CFA Pattern = [G,B],
[R,G]
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1x
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 36mm
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = Low gain up
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal
Subject Distance Range = unknown
[Interoperability]
Interoperability Index = ExifR98
Interoperability Version = Version 1.0
[Thumbnail Info]
Compression = JPEG Compressed (Thumbnail)
X Resolution = 300
Y Resolution = 300
Resolution Unit = inch
JPEG Interchange Format = Offset: 25592
JPEG Interchange Format Length = Length: 9098
YCbCr Positioning = co-sited
[Thumbnail]
Thumbnail = 160 x 120
[MakerNote (Nikon)]
Makernote Version = 0210
ISO Speed Used = 800
Colour Mode = COLOR
Quality = FINE
White Balance = AUTO
Sharpening = AUTO
Focus Mode = AF-A
Flash Setting = NORMAL
Auto Flash Mode = Built-in,TTL
White Balance Bias Value = 0
White Balance Red, Blue Coefficients = 475/256, 341/256, 256/256, 256/256
000D = 00, 01, 06, 00
Exposure Diff = DD, 01, 0C, 00
ThumbOffset = 2738
Flash Compensation = 00, 01, 06, 00
ISO Speed Requested = 800
Photo corner coordinates = 0, 0, 3872, 2592
0017 = 00, 01, 06, 00
Flash Bracket Compensation Applied = 00, 01, 06, 00
AE Bracket Compensation Applied = 0EV
001B = 0, 3904, 2616, 3904, 2616, 0, 0
001D = 3280593
001E = 1
001F = 30, 31, 30, 30, 01, 01, 00, 00
Tone Compensation (Contrast) = AUTO
Lens Type = Nikon G series Lens
Lens Min/Max Focal Length, Max Aperture = 240/10, 1200/10, 35/10, 56/10
Flash Used = Flash Fired
Auto Focus Area = 02, 00, 00, 01
Bracketing & Shooting Mode = 33
008A = 2
008B = 40, 01, 0C, 00
Colour Mode = MODE1a
Lighting Type = SPEEDLIGHT
Hue Adjustmen = 0
Noise Reduction = OFF
009A = 605/100, 605/100
009E = 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
00A2 = 3966535
00A3 = 0
Total Number of Shutter Releases for Camera = 6278
00A8 = 30, 31, 30, 31, 02, 2E, 00, 00, 00, 01, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00
Image optimisation =
Saturation = AUTO
Digital Vari-Program = AUTO
00B0 = 30, 31, 30, 30, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00
00B1 = 4
00B3 =

480sparky · Jan 12, 2012

In Aperture Priority, you set the ISO and aperture. Camera sets the shutter speed to match.

Unless you adjust Exposure Compensation.

personalt · Jan 12, 2012

Thanks... I checked both of those already(I think)
ISO is 800 in both cases
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV (I believe this is the exposure compensation value)

MLeeK · Jan 12, 2012

And what do they look like in terms of exposure? We have to see the images to see the difference and tell you what happened or why.
I can GUESS that you metered off of something brighter or darker in one image. I am guessing that they also look very different.

MLeeK · Jan 12, 2012

personalt said:
Shooting some test shots of my son to try to learn aperture priority mode. When I have it in Program or portrait mode the camera selects F5 1/60 for my given picture. My expectation was that if I put it in 'A' mode and set it to F5 my expectation was that the camera would select 1/60 as the shutter speed. however it seems to settle on 1/8 or 1/10 size which is somewhat blury and overexposed

Pictures are here.. DSC028 is in 'A' mode, DSC029 is in auto mode.
Flickr: personalt's Photostream

Iexif info is below. I cant figure why the exposure is so much slower in 'A' mode when using the same f stop. I looked through the other settings and nothing to me explains the slower sutter in 'A' mode. Anyone have any ideas? thanks so much - Rich
[Image] ------------------- Aperture Prioirity
Make = NIKON CORPORATION
Model = NIKON D80
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 300
Y Resolution = 300
Resolution Unit = inch
Software = Ver.1.01
Date Time = 2012-01-12 19:29:27
YCbCr Positioning = co-sited
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 216
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/8"
F Number = F5
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 800
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2012-01-12 19:29:27
Date Time Digitized = 2012-01-12 19:29:27
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Compressed Bits Per Pixel = 4
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F3.48
Metering Mode = Pattern
Light Source = unknown
Flash = Flash fired, auto mode, return light detected, red-eye reduction mode
Focal Length = 24mm
Maker Note = 26154 Byte
User Comment =
Subsec Time =
Subsec Time Original =
Subsec Time Digitized =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 3872
Exif Image Height = 2592
Interoperability IFD Pointer = Offset: 27006
Sensing Method = One-chip color area sensor
File Source = DSC
Scene Type = A directly photographed image
CFA Pattern = [G,B],
[R,G]
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1x
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 36mm
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = Low gain up
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal
Subject Distance Range = unknown
[Interoperability]
Interoperability Index = ExifR98
Interoperability Version = Version 1.0
[Thumbnail Info]
Compression = JPEG Compressed (Thumbnail)
X Resolution = 300
Y Resolution = 300
Resolution Unit = inch
JPEG Interchange Format = Offset: 27144
JPEG Interchange Format Length = Length: 9343
YCbCr Positioning = co-sited
[Thumbnail]
Thumbnail = 160 x 120
[MakerNote (Nikon)]
Makernote Version = 0210
ISO Speed Used = 800
Colour Mode = COLOR
Quality = FINE
White Balance = AUTO
Sharpening = AUTO
Focus Mode = AF-C
Flash Setting = RED-EYE SLOW
Auto Flash Mode = Built-in,TTL
White Balance Bias Value = 0
White Balance Red, Blue Coefficients = 475/256, 341/256, 256/256, 256/256
000D = 00, 01, 06, 00
Exposure Diff = 00, 01, 0C, 00
ThumbOffset = 2738
Flash Compensation = 00, 01, 06, 00
ISO Speed Requested = 800
Photo corner coordinates = 0, 0, 3872, 2592
0017 = 00, 01, 06, 00
Flash Bracket Compensation Applied = 00, 01, 06, 00
AE Bracket Compensation Applied = 0EV
001B = 0, 3904, 2616, 3904, 2616, 0, 0
001D = 3280593
001E = 1
001F = 30, 31, 30, 30, 01, 01, 00, 00
Tone Compensation (Contrast) = AUTO
Lens Type = Nikon G series Lens
Lens Min/Max Focal Length, Max Aperture = 240/10, 1200/10, 35/10, 56/10
Flash Used = Flash Fired
Auto Focus Area = 02, 00, 00, 00
Bracketing & Shooting Mode = 33
008A = 2
008B = 40, 01, 0C, 00
Colour Mode = MODE1a
Lighting Type = SPEEDLIGHT
Hue Adjustmen = 0
Noise Reduction = OFF
009A = 605/100, 605/100
009E = 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
00A2 = 3687765
00A3 = 0
Total Number of Shutter Releases for Camera = 6277
00A8 = 30, 31, 30, 31, 02, 2E, 00, 00, 00, 01, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00
Image optimisation = NORMAL
Saturation = AUTO
Digital Vari-Program =
00B0 = 30, 31, 30, 30, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00
00B1 = 4
00B3 =

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Image]
Make = NIKON CORPORATION
Model = NIKON D80
Orientation = top/left
X Resolution = 300
Y Resolution = 300
Resolution Unit = inch
Software = Ver.1.01
Date Time = 2012-01-12 19:29:37
YCbCr Positioning = co-sited
Exif IFD Pointer = Offset: 216
[Camera]
Exposure Time = 1/60"
F Number = F5
Exposure Program = Not defined
ISO Speed Ratings = 800
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2012-01-12 19:29:37
Date Time Digitized = 2012-01-12 19:29:37
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Compressed Bits Per Pixel = 4
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Max Aperture Value = F3.48
Metering Mode = Pattern
Light Source = unknown
Flash = Flash fired, auto mode, return light detected
Focal Length = 24mm
Maker Note = 24602 Byte
User Comment =
Subsec Time = 0.90"
Subsec Time Original = 0.90"
Subsec Time Digitized = 0.90"
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 3872
Exif Image Height = 2592
Interoperability IFD Pointer = Offset: 25454
Sensing Method = One-chip color area sensor
File Source = DSC
Scene Type = A directly photographed image
CFA Pattern = [G,B],
[R,G]
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Digital Zoom Ratio = 1x
Focal Length In 35mm Film = 36mm
Scene Capture Type = Normal
Gain Control = Low gain up
Contrast = Normal
Saturation = Normal
Sharpness = Normal
Subject Distance Range = unknown
[Interoperability]
Interoperability Index = ExifR98
Interoperability Version = Version 1.0
[Thumbnail Info]
Compression = JPEG Compressed (Thumbnail)
X Resolution = 300
Y Resolution = 300
Resolution Unit = inch
JPEG Interchange Format = Offset: 25592
JPEG Interchange Format Length = Length: 9098
YCbCr Positioning = co-sited
[Thumbnail]
Thumbnail = 160 x 120
[MakerNote (Nikon)]
Makernote Version = 0210
ISO Speed Used = 800
Colour Mode = COLOR
Quality = FINE
White Balance = AUTO
Sharpening = AUTO
Focus Mode = AF-A
Flash Setting = NORMAL
Auto Flash Mode = Built-in,TTL
White Balance Bias Value = 0
White Balance Red, Blue Coefficients = 475/256, 341/256, 256/256, 256/256
000D = 00, 01, 06, 00
Exposure Diff = DD, 01, 0C, 00
ThumbOffset = 2738
Flash Compensation = 00, 01, 06, 00
ISO Speed Requested = 800
Photo corner coordinates = 0, 0, 3872, 2592
0017 = 00, 01, 06, 00
Flash Bracket Compensation Applied = 00, 01, 06, 00
AE Bracket Compensation Applied = 0EV
001B = 0, 3904, 2616, 3904, 2616, 0, 0
001D = 3280593
001E = 1
001F = 30, 31, 30, 30, 01, 01, 00, 00
Tone Compensation (Contrast) = AUTO
Lens Type = Nikon G series Lens
Lens Min/Max Focal Length, Max Aperture = 240/10, 1200/10, 35/10, 56/10
Flash Used = Flash Fired
Auto Focus Area = 02, 00, 00, 01
Bracketing & Shooting Mode = 33
008A = 2
008B = 40, 01, 0C, 00
Colour Mode = MODE1a
Lighting Type = SPEEDLIGHT
Hue Adjustmen = 0
Noise Reduction = OFF
009A = 605/100, 605/100
009E = 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
00A2 = 3966535
00A3 = 0
Total Number of Shutter Releases for Camera = 6278
00A8 = 30, 31, 30, 31, 02, 2E, 00, 00, 00, 01, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00
Image optimisation =
Saturation = AUTO
Digital Vari-Program = AUTO
00B0 = 30, 31, 30, 30, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00
00B1 = 4
00B3 =

There is the answer. Your flash put out the right amount of light according to each image. If you are using ttl flash it's kind of like auto. If you aren't getting good enough exposure your flash puts out as little or as much light as you need( to it's limits.)

personalt · Jan 13, 2012

looking further at the flash in 'A' mode I am using
'Flash Setting = RED-EYE SLOW'

That might be part of issue... I will try moving that to normal and see if I get normal shutter speeds

Crollo · Jan 13, 2012

Or, you could just wait until you've actually tested it before you jump the gun on posting.

MLeeK · Jan 13, 2012

personalt said:
looking further at the flash in 'A' mode I am using
'Flash Setting = RED-EYE SLOW'

That might be part of issue... I will try moving that to normal and see if I get normal shutter speeds

No! no no no no no.
If you are trying to learn exposure you cannot use flash. If you use the flash it is making up for whatever your settings are missing in exposure. Turn the flash off. Shoot the way you are with no flash.
Flash takes manual modes and makes them automatic when used TTL!! You could use totally wacked up settings and get the exact same exposure because the flash measures and puts out what you need to make exposure right.

Rephargotohp · Jan 13, 2012

The other thing that happpens here is that "Auto" mode sets a limit to what the slowest shutter speed it will set, which is 1/60th. A mode does NOT set a limit and will go as slow as the camera will allow, which is why it went to 1/10th. Most Canon's do have a custom setting for A mode that would not allow the shutter speed to drop below Flash Sync (1/200 or 1/250) I'm not sure if Nikon does, you would have to check your manual ,But that really wouldn't solve your problem

KmH · Jan 13, 2012

So, what it all boils down to is, you need to speed some quality time reading and understanding the information in your camera's user's manual.

That means when you read something in the manual you don't understand you use that as an internet search term and go looking for more information. Doing so pays big extra dividends too, because you then run across useful information you didn't know you would want to know.

personalt · Jan 13, 2012

MLeeK said:
personalt said:

looking further at the flash in 'A' mode I am using
'Flash Setting = RED-EYE SLOW'

That might be part of issue... I will try moving that to normal and see if I get normal shutter speeds

Click to expand...

No! no no no no no.
If you are trying to learn exposure you cannot use flash. If you use the flash it is making up for whatever your settings are missing in exposure. Turn the flash off. Shoot the way you are with no flash.
Flash takes manual modes and makes them automatic when used TTL!! You could use totally wacked up settings and get the exact same exposure because the flash measures and puts out what you need to make exposure right.