A20 daylight slow shutter limits...

Hi all,

Just wondering as I've been getting into using a delayed shutter setting recently, until today I wanted to capture a fountain - the camera over exposes, is this normal and I've reached the limits of the camera?
I tried changing ISO, WB, and ISO settings to no avail.

Any clues or pointers greatly received...

What do you mean by delayed shutter setting. Is this the 2 secs delay, where you press the trigger, the mirror goes up and two seconds later the shutter opens?
This should have no effect on exposure but should be absolutely the same as shooting with the same settings and without delay.
If you mean that you are setting a long exposure then, depending on aperture settings, ISO settings and available light it could be that the selected time is too long and you will get overexposure.
How's about an example shot?

Prieni

Which exposure mode are you using? Optios dont have a massive aperture range and rely on the shutter speed to control exposure. On your camera it goes from 1/2000 to 4 secs. Depending on condtitions even settiing the ISO to the lowest setting with a long shutter speed may still be outwith the camera's range.

Ken

Hi Both - many thanks for your replies,

gartmore, that seems to be the issue - I've hit the limits of just how creative I can be with it I thin, It only allowed me to amend manually (in shutter mode) from either f2.8-f8.0 --- this is using the maximum 4s shutter delay. it works a treat at night (would love a longer delay..

Whats the norm for delay? I'm at a crossroads in deciding my next camera...

So far I like two bridge camera's - Olympus 590-UZ + Nikon P90...
Or two DSLR's - Nikon D60 + Pentax K-M...

What would you say is best, value for money the bridge camera's seem very reasonable and a great all in one package, but then I think will I come up against similar restrictions I have with my Optio?

Many thanks

I'm confused, when you say 'delay' I think you really mean 'shutter speed'.

You clearly are interested in creativity and I think you might quickly become frustrated by a bridge camera too. My advice would be to go for the K-M. OK this is a Pentax forum and you might expect a little bias.

Ken

Hi Ken, yes sorry, my apologies, I mean 'Shutter Speed'...

Funny you should mention the K-M, I've just been overheating my Mac with a million web pages open comparing, Nikon D60 - Sony A200-A300-A350 - and my favourite, the Pentax K-M...

I think my mind is made up to get the k-m, to match my mac stuff I'd love the white one, but with some of the deals that are around I'll settle for the black - thank you again for your help...

Using long shutter speeds with a semi auto mode (such as shutter priority) should not normally result in over-exposure because the camera should adjust the aperture accordingly, but the camera may be allowing you to select a shutter speed that is too long for correct exposure with even the smallest aperture.

Anyway, in bright light, set the sensitivity ISO to the lowest number or auto, and try using Exposure Compensation (EV +/-). Or have a go with Manual mode for complete control.

Buy a book on photography to learn about shutter speeds and apertures, etc. This will be useful for any camera with semi-auto and manual controls.

Plus, buy a nice dark ND filter so you can use longer shutter speeds in daylight.

Can a filter be fitted to an A20? If not, just hold it in front of the lens. Good idea!

Iceblinker, Optios dont work like DSLRs, in my experience you only get 2.8 to 5.6 , so the smallest aperture is f5.6, once you're there the only thing that can be used to control exposure is shutter speed so if you want a long shutter speed you dont have the options down to f32 say.