I need help with my Nikon D40x. Shutter speed problem.

[66217]

So I have been playing with this camera since I bought it.

But I have this problem: sometimes I am not able to increase the shutter speed. Most of the times the maximum it would let me select is 1/200. But sometimes, and I really don't know why, it would let me select 1/4000.

I am using it in complete manual mode, so I really don't see what the problem could be.

Thanks,

 

[M@lew]

Could be your ISO or the lens you're using?

 

[macourteau]

So I have been playing with this camera since I bought it, and it is as if we were in love.

But I have this problem: sometimes I am not able to increase the shutter speed. Most of the times the maximum it would let me select is 1/200. But sometimes, and I really don't know why, it would let me select 1/4000.

I am using it in complete manual mode, so I really don't see what the problem could be.

Thanks,

I don't own a D40x but a quick Google search said the D40x's X-Sync speed with the flash is 1/200s, so I'm guessing those pictures when you're limited to 1/200 is when the flash is active?

The D40x's x-sync speed for flash use is 1/200 second, down from the D40's 1/500 flash sync speed.

(from http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D40X/D40XA5.HTM)

Basically, the X-Sync speed is the fastest speed the shutter can be open for the flash to expose the complete frame. If you were to shoot faster with a flash, then a part of your image would be darker (less exposed, because the flash didn't register for that part of the image).

I know that some cameras (such as mine, a Canon EOS 30D) offer a "high speed sync" feature that lets you go faster than the X-Sync speed (I successfully went to 1/1000 with that feature on my camera although the X-Sync speed is 1/250), so you might want to look into that for your camera. It's good to know though that high speed sync basically bursts the flash multiple times to expose everything so that is killer for battery life.

 

[66217]

I don't own a D40x but a quick Google search said the D40x's X-Sync speed with the flash is 1/200s, so I'm guessing those pictures when you're limited to 1/200 is when the flash is active?

Yes, this is the problem. I should have noticed it.

Thanks for the help,

 

[66217]

Another question:

How can I increase the x-sync? It seems the D40x does not has the available option to put "high speed sync".

Would getting an Speedlight increase the x-sync?

Thanks,

 

[macourteau]

I believe the x-sync speed has to do with the camera's shutter mechanism, and not the flash attached to it, but then again I am not sure (and I use a Canon camera).

You would have to either see with a Nikon user or read your manual to see if it's mentionned.

 

[WardPhotography]

So I have been playing with this camera since I bought it.

But I have this problem: sometimes I am not able to increase the shutter speed. Most of the times the maximum it would let me select is 1/200. But sometimes, and I really don't know why, it would let me select 1/4000.

I am using it in complete manual mode, so I really don't see what the problem could be.

Thanks,

I think my problem is not being able to read the display screen and then being able to tell what the speed is or how to adjust it. I see so many people write 1/200 and so on but how do you read that?