"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:47:21 -0700, "RG" wrote:

Happy shooting.

Russ

========

It's incredible what these cameras can do if you take the time to
learn the features.

I assume that since you are shooting mostly landscapes, that you use a
tripod and don't worry all that much about shutter speed. My issues
are different since I'm usually shooting from a moving boat with a
telephoto lens. Can you tell me how to set up a Nikon D40X to always
shoot at the fastest possible shutter speed?


Hi Wayne,

You're correct that when I'm shooting landscapes, the camera is usually on a
tripod and therefore I have little concern about shutter speed unless I've
got trees blowing in the wind or I'm after an effect as described above.
When using a tripod and remote cable release, I lock down the ISO to the
base level, which is 200 on my D300. I choose the aperture and if the
camera selects a shutter speed of a full second or more, I don't care. If
I'm shooting hand-held, then shutter speed is a concern. Now I switch to
Auto-ISO and select a minimum shutter speed that I feel appropriate for the
situation. Let's say I wouldn't want to shoot at any speed slower than
1/250 of a second (a pretty high example normally, but not if shooting with
a long lens and on a boat). I would set the ISO to the base level of 200,
but turn on Auto ISO with a minimum shutter speed of 1/250. This allows me
to still shoot in (A)perture priority mode, choosing which aperture I
prefer, and knowing that the camera will select whatever shutter speed is
appropriate for proper exposure. If that shutter speed is below 1/250 of a
second, the camera has been authorized to bump the ISO to what ever level is
required for proper exposure at my selected aperture and a shutter speed of
1/250 of a second. This yields the lowest possible ISO (something you
should always strive for) with the slowest shutter speed you have specified

You can do the same thing with your D40x. I'm not sure just how high you
can set the minimum shutter speed, (my D300 will allows a minimum as fast as
1/4000, which is pretty ridiculous) but I would think you would want to be
shooting at no less that 1/500 of a second, or perhaps even 1/1000.
Obviously, the higher you set the minimum shutter speed, the higher the ISO
will be forced when the camera calculates exposure. And higher ISOs will
always result in a degradation of the image, so using high ISOs should not
be done without reason. The other thing you want to take advantage of is to
use lenses that have Nikon's VR technology or a third party lens with
similar stabilization technology. (Side note: This technology works
wonders on binocs as well. I've had a set of Canon image-stabilized binocs
for years that I keep on the boat and just love them). Lens stabilization
won't help with moving subject matter, but it will certainly help with shaky
hands, a long lens and a rocking boat. Your other option for forcing a fast
shutter is to shoot in (S)hutter priority mode and select whatever shutter
speed you wish (1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000, etc.). I would still leave ISO to
Auto and set whatever you want as a minimum shutter speed, but it really
doesn't matter as your chosen shutter speed in (S) mode will take priority.
The camera will now select the appropriate aperture for exposure, subject
the to limits of the lens, and if the lens is wide open and more light is
needed for the shutter speed you selected, the ISO will be bumped to
whatever level is required. The D40X also has Digital Vari-Programs that
can be used as a final option. In the case you mention, the sports program
(page 19 of the manual) would the one to choose. I always advise weaning
away from these programs, as they don't help you to learn and become
comfortable with the relationships between shutter speed, aperture and ISO.
My preference would be the first option of shooting in (A) mode and setting
the minimum shutter speed in the Auto ISO setting (page 76 of the manual).
But if you're shooting fast action, say an off-shore boat race, then I would
go to shutter priority and set the shutter to a very fast speed.

RG