Manual confusion: I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. In trying to shoot manual, I set my lens to MF and the camera to manual. However, with every shot I get a black screen

amateur

I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. In trying to shoot manual, I set my lens to MF and the camera to manual. However, with every shot I get a black screen - no picture - regardless of speed. If I shoot at a bright light I will get a dim image only. None of my other settings cause me a problem, so it must be something I am doing/not doing. I am using Cannon 5D Mark II with Cannon 70-300. Thanks for any advise.

snowbear

MF on the lens is manual focus. The camera manual is manual exposure. What aperture, shutter speed and ISO are you using? What does your light meter read? I'm guessing you just have the exposure set way too low and are underexposing the shots.

amateur

Shooting speed from 1/100 to 1/8000, f 5.6 iso 100 to 6400 - I experimented with several ranges - (except each setting was with f 5.6 - I have been unable to figure out how to change the f stop on manual). Maybe that is my problem?

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Take your camera outside, in full noon sunlight. Set your camera to ISO 200; set your lens to AF (Auto-Focus). Set your camera to "M" for manual, and select 1/200-sec at f/16. Take a photograph, and review exposure on LCD screen. If a little dark, open aperture to f/11. If you change your lens to MF (Manual Focus), your exposure will be the same, but you must focus lens yourself.

briace Loc: liverpool uk

amateur wrote:

I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. In trying to shoot manual, I set my lens to MF and the camera to manual. However, with every shot I get a black screen - no picture - regardless of speed. If I shoot at a bright light I will get a dim image only. None of my other settings cause me a problem, so it must be something I am doing/not doing. I am using Cannon 5D Mark II with Cannon 70-300. Thanks for any advise.

check your ev is not set to low like it cud be on -2 or more get that back to 0 :thumbup:

madcapmagishion

Take the lens cap off of the lens! :mrgreen:

briace Loc: liverpool uk

madcapmagishion wrote:

Take the lens cap off of the lens! :mrgreen:

:D :thumbup:

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

amateur wrote:

I can't figure out what I am doing wrong. In trying to shoot manual, I set my lens to MF and the camera to manual. However, with every shot I get a black screen - no picture - regardless of speed. If I shoot at a bright light I will get a dim image only. None of my other settings cause me a problem, so it must be something I am doing/not doing. I am using Cannon 5D Mark II with Cannon 70-300. Thanks for any advise.

Amateur, Nikonian has told u how to get a pic, I will tell you how to set your f-stop. You already know how to set the speed, with the dial on top/front. To set the f-stop is different when in manual. With the camera set on manual. The on/off switch has three positions. OFF---ON---and hockey stick ON. When in manual you need to be set to "hockey stick ON". This will activate the wheel on the back of the camera(next to the LCD screen). Now the wheel on top/front will control the speed and the wheel on back controls the f-stop. Just remember that on manual, always be on the "hockey stick".it can also be controlled with the joy-stick, just give it a firm tap with the camera activated and all the info comes up on the LCD screen.
Let me know if I can be of more help. Good luck

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Good one.....your Avitar could pass as a twin to my neighbor

madcapmagishion wrote:

Take the lens cap off of the lens! :mrgreen:

madcapmagishion

tlbuljac wrote:

Good one.....your Avitar could pass as a twin to my neighbor

madcapmagishion wrote:

Take the lens cap off of the lens! :mrgreen:

He must be an exceedingly handsome man then! :mrgreen:

amateur

Sharpshooter - Thank you for your instruction. Your help makes this site worth following.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Amateur, always glad to be of help. Thanks

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

if you are shooting in manual esposure, there isn't an EV scale option.

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

There is no exposure compensation in manual but your Meter will still indicate if it thinks correct exposure is set correctly. The scale in the viewfinder will be in the middle (or zero) when the Meter is happy. Depending on what metering mode set be it spot, partial, average or centre weighted will determine what is being metered.

For your image to be pure black your scale would have been extreme left and flashing as the image is way under exposed. To correct this something in the exposure triangle must be changed. Either longer shutter, faster aperture (smaller f stop = more light in) or increase ISO. Alternative would be to add more light.

Another possibility to why your lens is stuck on f/5.6 is this might be the fastest that lens can open up at the zoom range you have. If you zoom wider can you alter the aperture wider (lower f number)?

Ratwrf

Lol my first thought too