Author Topic: shutter speed (Read 763 times)

skrc · « **on:** February 15, 2010, 07:10:16 AM »

In low light situations the shutter speed is really slow. I usually shoot on A mode but my wife only shoots in iAuto. Is there a way to speed up the shutter speed besides switching to S mode? The problem is the blur which makes for bad pictures especially if it is of a baby.

gareth · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2010, 07:34:08 AM »

You may start studying the relationships between Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.

To put simply, you may consider using a large aperture (smaller f-number), higher ISO to obtain at least a shutter speed at around 2x your focal length value (e.g. 1/80 sec for focal length 40mm). It should give you less chance to have blurred photo.

What lens are you using? You may also consider using a faster (e.g. larger aperture) lens.

Finally, a tripod will help.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2010, 07:48:52 AM »

try shooting at iso 800 if using the kit zoom keep it close to 14 mm as it lets in much more light than the lens set at 42mm, and make sure image stabilization is set at mode 1 and is on,..... try getting a little more ambient light in the room from a window or a lamp , and shoot alot of pics and pick the sharpest \ best ,

get to know the pen it is a fine machine for low light work

Finder · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2010, 08:17:01 AM »

To repeat what the previous posts have said:

Faster lens
Higher ISO
Image Stabilization on
Shorter focal length

You can also use a flash.

If you don't mind underexposing, you can set the exposure in manual and then simply process the image afterwards. You can do this with exposure compensation as well with the autoexposure modes (BTW, the vertical dial allows for program shift at exposure lock to specify an aperture/shutter speed combination). I recommend shooting raw in this case.

Practice. You can get better at shooting at slow shutter speeds. Or find something to help you--put your elbows on a table, set the camera on a railing or object. One advantage with a finder (EVF or OVF) is you can be much more steady than holding the camera out in front of you--elbows tucked into your side, camera supported with you palm (check my avatar), although that posture also helps with using the monitor, it is just awkward.

Finally, follow the subject with the camera during exposure. The background will blur, but is slows the image of the subject enough to be rendered sharp on the image--the background blur can be pleasing.

BTW, you can do a bit to sharpen things up by using unsharp masking in post processing.

skrc · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2010, 12:41:20 PM »

Thanks! The other problem to is if someone even moves a little then the body part moving will blur. It's very annoying especially coming from a Nikon D5000 that never has that problem. I like the E-P1 way better because of it's size but just need to figure out how to get equal performance.

cosinaphile · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2010, 03:41:26 PM »

i dont think the d 5000 outperforms the pen in low night work, was it the nikon flash?

gareth · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2010, 05:13:11 PM »

@skrc

A photo with the problems you mentioned and its EXIF data would help troubleshooting.

George · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2010, 11:34:01 PM »

I shoot my ten month old doughter with a single AF mode and select that one in the middle, becouse by low light the AF did not focus where I wanted. ISO 1000 to 1600 without a flash, shooter speed 1/40 to 1/80, f 3,5. Baby will not stand still when you want.

Sometimes I use flash, the pic. are great with no blur at all and I can use much faster shooter speeds.

shutter speed