annie blossum Loc: USA

I am having trouble in P,S and A settings. I don't want to use manual at this point. I have a Nikon D80 and I'm using a 300mm zoom lens. I have tried all of these and my pictures are not in good focus or sharp and very dark. As I work with the setting I can get them so they are not too dark. The problem is I don't have a clue what I'm doing.

What is f/stop and how do you set it? Is it related to the lens size? I read one professional used 800iso and 8 apeture. Did not work for me at all. Here is one of my photo.

nikon d80 f/5.3 1/1000 iso1600 220mm apt 4.7


nikon d80 f/8 1/500 iso1600 focal length in A using 300mm zoom lens

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Your lens has a diaphragm inside that opens and closes (like the pupil of your eye) to allow more or less light to come flying through your lens. A large diameter opening lets in more light and is represented by a smaller number (f-2.8, f-3.5). A smaller diameter opening lets in less light and is represented by larger numbers (f-8, f-11, f-16).
I'm not sure how it works on your camera, but on my Nikon D5100 there is a "command dial" that controls the aperture (f-stop).
So, I usually select a shutter speed so suit my subject (your birds usually need a "fast" shutter speed) and then adjust the f-stop until the camera tells me it's correct.
Now that you have this new curiosity about f-stops, it's a good time to review your manual about how to make your adjustments. The manual is always more helpful when your curiosity is piqued on a particular subject.
Keep on trying, and keep on asking questions!
I love your second photo, I seldom see a bird in this "pose"!

1eyedjack

(A) aperture is the size of the opening, letting in a little light (f16),
a lot of light (f2.8) also sets the depth of field.
(S) shutter is the time the light is let in.(1/200 sec)
ISO is the light pickup (sensor)
iso 100 for a bright scene.
iso 6400 for a dim light scene.
3 settings (A,S,or iso),setting one affects the other two.
If a manual came with your camera,some info is in there.
Happy hunting.

annie blossum Loc: USA

Well the English manual got lost. I had the spanish manual so I don't know if I threw the wrong one away. I've been trying to get one off of the internet tonight but I haven't been having any luck. Now that my server is back up maybe I can get it soon.

snowbear

Go to http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Download-Center.page to get an electronic manual.

annie blossum Loc: USA

Thanks for the help. I'll try this out later today and let you know.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

best recomendation i and many other photographers have is a book. Get yourself a copy of " understanding exposure" by bryan petersen. In down to earth easy to understand english and some awesome photos to boot, he will explain about fstops shutter speed and iso so that you capture not only a correct exposure but a creatively correct one. this is one book every serious photog should have. you can find new and used copies at amazon.

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

Do you live in a city? If so look up the local camera store and take a few lessons. It will only cost you about $100.00 for six or so hours. It's worth the investment.

Manuel is not were you want to be, also at this point keep your lens on Auto-focus, and also make sure you set the dioptric adjustment knob for the best focus.

Okay, this is basic, and there are alot smarter and better photogrpahers here then me, so if they disagree then listen to them. I am still at the learning mode myself, this is just some info I use.

Start with Av mode, that's usually the first mode a photographer learns. Keep the ISO on Auto. Keep all your settings at this time on Auto, except for the Av. Now...if you want the background blurred, and a small amount of focus use the lowest setting. (f5 or so) if you go above f 9 you may need to use a tri-pod. That higher the number is set then the more you will get into focus. (This is just a basic rule, there are always exceptions). My disclaimer is others know so much more. I'm very challenged.

Which clearly my last statment does not give alot you alot of confidence in my suggestions.

Good luck! ;-)

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Annie: Focus and exposure are unrelated functions for the most part. For most photograpy such as what you are doing, most photographers set their Auto Focus to single point. Then you are using only one of the many focus points that the camera has available. This way, when you place that point on the area of the picture that you want to be in focus, and half press the shutter button, the lens will focus there. I won't be confused by anything else that is closer to you.

"A" or Aperture priority is a semi-automatic mode that allows you to select the f/stop. As has been described above it allows you to determine the "Depth Of Field" you will have by adjusting the size of the lens openning. The camera will adjust the shutter speed to compensate within the limits of the ISO that has been set. If you do not have enough light, there will be some kind of indication in the viewfinder. In this case you will need to increase the ISO. That is what may have happened when you got dark pictures.

Annie, I shoot at f/8 and ISO 800 with a shutter speed of 1/2000 in direct sunlight only. If there is less light, then I must adjust my exposure.

The suggestion of reading Bryan Peterson's book is an excellent one. In just the first few chapters, he explains the relationships between ISO, shutter speed and Aperture. It will be a big help to you.

Keep smiling and taking pictures!









the shutterspeed and, if needed, the ISO to compensate and give you a "correct" exposure

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

It looks to me as if your ISO is way to high -

Maggie678 Loc: Maine

Annie~Your pics are really neat....I would recomment going on UTube for tutorials. I just got a Nikon D3100 & am learning all about Aperture/ISO & Shutterspeed. I even took photography classes. It's a huge learning curve for me. But watching the tutorials really helped a lot....
Good luck & welcome to UHH
~Maggie~

PlushToy Loc: Nebraska

I think that this website would be of great help to you.

http://camerasim.com/camera-simulator/

northshore Loc: St. Paul, MN

Congratulations on moving from Auto everything to Aperture priority! It is a huge step toward taking creative control of your photography. I would heartily agree with the recommendation of "Undrestanding Exposure"-- it is extremely helpful in understanding how all the elements fit together.

And I love your second picture! It looks as if you got the focus just where you need it, and captured the bluebird in a unique pose.

emptynestertraveler Loc: North Carolina

Your pictures are very good. Another variable that affects the darkness of your pictures is 'exposure compensation' , the +/- button next to the green dot on the top right side of your D80. It makes your pictures lighter (+) or darker(-) when the perfect aperture, shutter and ISO combo are still off in light.
Nikon is noted for making great cameras but not writing great manuals. On-line you can find a blog by "Ken Rockwell" who has rewritten several Nikon manuals to be more user friendly. While he can be really opinionated on some things, I learned to use my D80 by using his free download. Google KenRockwellD80manual and it should be easy to find.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I agree with the advice above. Be sure to get the hard copy and not the Kindle as the color photo examples are well worth the price.

Your photos look great so I don't know about "too dark". If that is an actual problem check you haven't inadvertently set your EV to minus something in your menu.

If your Nikon is the same as mine the second thing to try is the "P" mode. It gives a range of correct exposure values by using the thumwheel. Good to learn the effect of higher and lower f-stops.