View Full Version : Nikon Coolpix 5400 help
i tried the manual mode on my 5400 to give me 1/4000 (tried 1/2000 and 1/1000 as well) in shutter speed and it gave me a solid black picture.
any idea how to fix that? I am sure it is user-error some how, but need to know what to do. I let the aperature choose its own setting though (not really even sure what aperature is).
benny
03-01-2005, 10:36 PM
You don't have enough light. Shoot a picture of a sunny outdoor scene with the same setting and you will get a decent picture.
Cheers,
JerseyJay
03-01-2005, 10:42 PM
I will echo Benny.
How big is the tank and how much light do you have over it ? I would start maybe with 1/250 and work your way up.
You don't have enough light. Shoot a picture of a sunny outdoor scene with the same setting and you will get a decent picture.
Cheers,
is it possible to get a picture indoors (in a fish tank specifically) at that high of a shutter speed? What is the highest recommendation?
I have a large fish that is constantly moving (Arowana) and can't easily get a good pic without a quicker shutter speed.
I will echo Benny.
How big is the tank and how much light do you have over it ? I would start maybe with 1/250 and work your way up.
it is a 180g with only 130 watts (2 65 bulbs along the 48" strip)
i can add some spot lights to help me out. think that will work?
What kind of shutter speed are you getting w/the existing light?
do you have an aperture mode? if so try shooting wide open and see how fast it sets your shutter.
What kind of shutter speed are you getting w/the existing light?
1/60 was the best i was getting. 1/30 was pretty much perfect lighting wise, but the fish was blury.
Kogut
05-03-2005, 12:07 AM
I have the same problem. I, however, disagree w/ the ambient light comments. I have a 250watt MH bulb over my 20L reef. So light isn't lacking in any way, kthx. It will work if you turn the flash on. That ruins the picture for me, though, since it removes a lot of the color from my corals. It isn't getting enough light, but ambient light won't fix the problem. I'm sure of that.
paradise
05-03-2005, 12:46 AM
Cliff, a couple of comments:
1. Arowana is actually a pretty slow fish to film, try barbs or small cichlids now that is a challenge. Arowana swims close to the surface so light should be pretty much maxed whatever it is.
2. High shutter speeds like that require overhead flashes on top of the tank, working remotely or through a cord from your camera. Your cam wont be able to easily accomplish that. I suggest putting as much lighting as you can fit, preferably higher power stuff, like power compacts, and using (like Hiro suggested) aperture priority mode (if available) at the highest aperature (lowest number, prob. 2.0) to get the highest possible shutter speed in your situation.
But keep in mind, arowanas are pretty slow, and you should do fine at something like 1/100 or around there. You dont need 1/3000 to do it. Remember it's all about lighting in photography. Try some, post here, and let's go from there.