Joechalmers Loc: Washington, DC

Does anyone know what the question mark is in the lower left corner of the attached monitor display? Sometimes it flashes, and I know it's trying to tell me something!
Can't find any reference in the manuals.
Thanks

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Joe - see page 192 (Error Messages) in your manual - top of page says "A flashing ? in the monitor or ? in the viewfinder indicates that a warning or error message can be displayed in the monitor by pressing the ? button".

Also see page 6 (The Information Display) - item #16

One of the error messages will come up when you press the ?button on the left edge of the rear of your camera.

James Eslinger Loc: Kentucky

For me, it usually means I've done something wrong! As Joechalmers said, press the ? to see the message.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

James - in essence you are right - just press the ? to find out what error message is being shown. However, joechalmers is the original poster asking the question ! Your response assumes he already knows the answer. In which case ..... why ask in the first place ?!!!

James Eslinger Loc: Kentucky

Ooop, misread the quote. I'll do better...

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

"Subject Too Dark" is plastered across the top of your screen, that might be the problem

Joechalmers Loc: Washington, DC

These comments are helpful, and I see that pressing the "?" button brings up an error message. But the message I often see "Subject is too dark" often appears with P settings of 1/40 with f4.2 or even 1/60 -- which really are not "too dark" by my standards. Am I missing a minimum EV setting somewhere?

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Joe - I don't have your camera, and I downloaded and checked the manual to assist with your first question. Do you use "exposure compensation" at all? I believe that if you do then the camera "remembers" the last setting. If it was on the "dark" side that may be your problem and you need to return it to the zero (central) position. You mention you're using the "P" mode. Don't take this the wrong way but are you familiar with using "aperture priority" and "shutter priority" modes, even "manual" mode? Those "picture too dark" situations tend not to come up if you're really in good control of your exposure settings.

Joechalmers Loc: Washington, DC

Thanks,
It's not exp compensation - that's at 0.
And using S or A still gives me an error - now it's "lighting is poor, flash recommended" even at 1/80 4.2 S and 1/80 5.6 A
I can just ignore it, but I hate that. Must mean something!

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Joe - exposure is a mixture of aperture, shutter speed and ISO - and as you know there are many combinations that will give a correct exposure. Maybe your ISO is too low? Every time you boost it by 1 stop you're doubling the sensitivity of the sensor to light. Alternatively find the "reset" button combination and start again. Do you have a copy of "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson? If not I strongly recommend you get hold of it. Make sure you get the 3rd edition. Not expensive from Amazon.

Your lens may also be the culprit - not letting in enough light even at max aperture. What lens are you using? What's the lowest aperture you can go to? That may be why camera is saying "use flash". Another alternative is to use tripod to be able to shoot at slower shutter speeds - depends how "wobbly" your hands are at speeds slower than 1/60 sec !

Check p 132 "ISO Sensitivity Setting" - either "on" and choose yourself the max ISO sensitivity/lowest shutter speed OR "off" and then you choose the ISO yourself depending upon the exposure circumstances.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Joe - there are a lot of excellent short videos here that will help you get better mastery of the 3 elements of correct exposure - http://www.photographycourses.biz/all_photography_videos.htm

l

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

See you're still online Joe - have you sorted out your problem?

Joechalmers Loc: Washington, DC

No. I have a pretty good understanding of the elements of exposure -- ISO, shutter, aperture, P, S, A, M etc.
I have ISO set at 1600 so I don't think that's it.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It's probably just recommending that you use flash or warning you that in it's opinion the lighting is too low. Many of the consumer level (non pro level) cameras do things like this as a guide for those that don't know much about exposure. I don't own this camera but maybe you can change a setting to keep it from displaying those irritating warnings. It would bother me too. If not, just ignore it or get rid of it and try a prosumer or pro camera body.

One thing that might get rid of the warnings, if you can't turn them off, is to shoot in M. The camera can't tell you what it thinks if you are in total control.