Is there a way to shoot Aperture priority, and have a max shutter speed?

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
1
81
Is there a way to shoot Aperture priority, and have a max shutter speed?

I have the SL1, and I just assumed it would do this, but I cannot figure out how.

I want to set the Aperture to something, say f/1.4, and then shutter max to 1/320, and then auto iso.
 

iGas

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2009
6,240
1
0
Is there a way to shoot Aperture priority, and have a max shutter speed?

I have the SL1, and I just assumed it would do this, but I cannot figure out how.

I want to set the Aperture to something, say f/1.4, and then shutter max to 1/320, and then auto iso.
I'm not sure how the SL1 work, but my 5D mkII will pick the largest aperture and best ISO in auto ISO in shutter priority mode.

Shutter priority set at 1/500s, aperture varied from f4~4.5, and Auto ISO varied from 100~3200 ISO, with 24-105L lens.

Shutter priority set at 1/8000s, aperture varied from f1.8~2.0, and Auto ISO varied from 100~3200 ISO, with 50mm lens.
 
Last edited:

darth maul

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 1999
2,392
0
76
Is there a way to shoot Aperture priority, and have a max shutter speed?

I have the SL1, and I just assumed it would do this, but I cannot figure out how.

I want to set the Aperture to something, say f/1.4, and then shutter max to 1/320, and then auto iso.

Can you use manual mode?
 

iGas

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2009
6,240
1
0
Not sure.
How does it work?
Do you guess at all settings, take picture, chimp, revise settings, repeat?

M mode let you set Shutter and Aperture independently of each others. Shutter or Aperture light will blink if it is too slow or not enough light for proper exposure, and there is a scale that let you see if you are up to +/-2 stops.

It would help if you RTFM.
 

slashbinslashbash

Golden Member
Feb 29, 2004
1,945
8
81
Not sure.
How does it work?
Do you guess at all settings, take picture, chimp, revise settings, repeat?

There is a light meter built in to the camera. It shows up at the bottom of your viewfinder as a segmented line from -2, -1, 0, 1, 2. An arrow will show up underneath the numbers when you hold down the shutter button half-way. This gives the exposure reading for the current framing, lighting, and metering mode. In general, you want to get the arrow to line up with "0" -- this is what all of the automatic exposure modes will attempt to do. (Full Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, etc.)

Note, the various metering modes can throw things way off if you don't understand the way that they work. Some modes average across the whole frame, some modes consider the whole frame but weight the center of the frame more ("center-weighted"), and some modes consider only the very center of the frame ("spot metering").
 

colonelciller

Senior member
Sep 29, 2012
915
0
0
Not sure.
How does it work?
Do you guess at all settings, take picture, chimp, revise settings, repeat?

give manual mode a serious try.
in the era of digital photography & instant results it should be extremely easy to learn quickly. once you have control in manual you can begin to artistically control your photographs... such as depth of field, motion blur, etc.
 

jhansman

Platinum Member
Feb 5, 2004
2,768
29
91
Ditto on Manual mode. Nothing wrong with aperture/shutter priority when you must use them, but really, if you want to take control of you exposure and are shooting printable keepers you may want to adjust in post production, learn to use Manual mode and shoot in RAW.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
You described manual mode.

No... Because manual mode won't adjust shutter speed or ISO.

What I want is a mode that lets you set aperture and shutter speed, and then adjusts ISO accordingly. That would be really useful for shooting portraits in low light. Max aperture + 1/200 shutter + auto ISO
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Ditto on Manual mode. Nothing wrong with aperture/shutter priority when you must use them, but really, if you want to take control of you exposure and are shooting printable keepers you may want to adjust in post production, learn to use Manual mode and shoot in RAW.

Easy for you to say if your camera has 2 or more dials. Us low end folks are stuck with single dials by the manufacturers' product stratification.
 

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
1
81
No... Because manual mode won't adjust shutter speed or ISO.

What I want is a mode that lets you set aperture and shutter speed, and then adjusts ISO accordingly. That would be really useful for shooting portraits in low light. Max aperture + 1/200 shutter + auto ISO
Yes.
That would ideal. I am shocked this is not a standard option. I have all sort of BS options - FOOD mode, etc...
 

fralexandr

Platinum Member
Apr 26, 2007
2,289
229
106
www.flickr.com
I find setting the camera to shutter priority already does this in low light, for the most part. It will usually shoot wide open and high ISO, though it might be due to my auto ISO range being set to 200-1600. I guess that might be a problem on full frames if you don't set an upper limit for auto iso. Why don't you try limiting auto ISO to something like 100-6400 or 12800?
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
No... Because manual mode won't adjust shutter speed or ISO.

What I want is a mode that lets you set aperture and shutter speed, and then adjusts ISO accordingly. That would be really useful for shooting portraits in low light. Max aperture + 1/200 shutter + auto ISO

iirc pentax does this

edit: yup, TAv mode.

edit2: others basically do the same by setting auto iso in manual mode. though then you don't get exposure compensation.
 
Last edited:

randomrogue

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2011
5,449
0
0
No... Because manual mode won't adjust shutter speed or ISO.

What I want is a mode that lets you set aperture and shutter speed, and then adjusts ISO accordingly. That would be really useful for shooting portraits in low light. Max aperture + 1/200 shutter + auto ISO

Maybe I'm reading you wrong but at least on Nikon you are describing manual mode.

When I'm on safari I set my aperature to something appropriate for the depth of field that I want and I set my shutter speed to something fast enough to freeze the motion of an animal. Auto ISO takes care of the rest.

So F8 at 1/500 and ISO between 100 and 6400. During the day it almost never reaches ISO 1000.
 

randomrogue

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2011
5,449
0
0
Also, I have done this with my old Nikon D3000. Yes it only has one dial so you have to push a modifier to change one of the settings in manual mode but it still has manual mode and auto ISO.

If you do this in Shutter priority then it will open up the aperture first and then raise the ISO. I think. For a fixed shutter and aperture you have to use manual mode. It's great for moving kids. Moving anything.
 

tdawg

Platinum Member
May 18, 2001
2,215
6
81
Is there a way to shoot Aperture priority, and have a max shutter speed?

I have the SL1, and I just assumed it would do this, but I cannot figure out how.

I want to set the Aperture to something, say f/1.4, and then shutter max to 1/320, and then auto iso.

I'm assuming this would be in low light where your ISO has nowhere to go but up? The problem with the mode you want is that if you set the aperture and shutter speed such that ISO would need to be 25 or less, the camera would either not let you take the shot, or it would and you'd end up with a white frame because it's so overexposed.

There is a lot of value in learning the basics of exposure, and the triangle relationship between ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed.
 

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
1
81
I'm assuming this would be in low light where your ISO has nowhere to go but up? The problem with the mode you want is that if you set the aperture and shutter speed such that ISO would need to be 25 or less, the camera would either not let you take the shot, or it would and you'd end up with a white frame because it's so overexposed.

There is a lot of value in learning the basics of exposure, and the triangle relationship between ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed.

I should have mentioned it would be for shooting in a church lit by candle light.
 

randomrogue

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2011
5,449
0
0
Low light. You want a fast shutter speed though? Set it to 1.4 like you said, set your shutter speed to 1/320 if that's what you want. After that you're limited by ISO. You might find that you need to lower the shutter speed to get the shot. I don't imagine people are moving that fast in there but it will of course depend on what lens you're using. Does it have good VR? Are you using a tripod?
 

iGas

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2009
6,240
1
0
Perhaps the OP should rent the Canon 80L f1.2 again that give the OP superb pictures for shooting in low light.

It is highly likely that you will need to set ISO speed to at least 3200 for shutter speed at 1/100s with f1.4 in candle lit scene. May need as high as ISO-6400, 1/200s, f1.4.

Unless the scene is an average night indoor lit scene then you may gain 2 EV of light.
 
Last edited:

jhansman

Platinum Member
Feb 5, 2004
2,768
29
91
Easy for you to say if your camera has 2 or more dials. Us low end folks are stuck with single dials by the manufacturers' product stratification.

My first dSLR was a single-dial model (Nikon D60), and I was able to shoot in manual with full control over aperture and shutter speed. You just have know whether your camera is capable of doing this and learn how. Not rocket science. If, however, you are stuck with a P&S that only lets you use scene modes, then decide how much control and what quality images you want to make.
 
Last edited:

Anteaus

Platinum Member
Oct 28, 2010
2,448
4
81
I sympathize with those that would prefer their cameras to have more "auto" features but in truth these are imaging tools and higher end tools come with more features. That said, virtually every entry level camera today has full manual controls and offer the ability to capture any exposure you want to, as long as you're willing to learn how to use it. You might need to go through a few menus to do it but you can do it. Learning how to get proper a proper exposure without relying on auto features is critical to getting the most out of an DSLR, and low end ones are no exception.

I personally disable auto-ISO in most cases because can be stupid and increase when I don't really need it to. If I'm out in the sun I know it should be set at roughly 200 (sunny 16 rule). I know that going inside will demand 1600-3200 and up to 6400 in really dark environments. It's easy to predict ISO requirements in a given situation and set it accordingly. It's easy enough to set to aperture priority, set your ISO and then just monitor your shutter speeds.

Now there is a catch-22 here. Many people don't realize that one of the main purposes for aperture priority is about controlling DOF. At f/1.4 the OPs DOF is going to be razor thin if they plan on getting close. In these situations knowing how to use the focus system is going to be just as critical.

I love shooting challenges like this.
 

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
12,647
4
81
to OP: you're describing minimum shutter in Aperture priority mode.

This is a new feature that I've personally used on a Canon 6D.

It only applies to Av mode (and maybe P).

It lets you pick a minimum shutter speed. I keep mine at around 1/125-1/250.

In Av mode, since you set the aperture, the only things left that the camera can manipulate is shutter speed and ISO (if you put it in Auto ISO mode).

Let's say I had 50mm f/1.8 lens, in "ok" lighting.

- In Av Mode, say you set your aperture to f/1.8
- Canon typically sets their 'recommended' shutter speed of 1/focal length, so that means in low/med light, it'll keep aiming for 1/50.
- The camera will auto-adjust the ISO to achieve this 'recommended' shutter.
- Say that to achieve this in your environment, the final values for shutter and ISO were 1/50 and ISO 400.

- with minimum shutter, you'll force the shutter to be 1/250 (if possible).
- you should know that the camera will pump up the ISO as far as it can go (you set the max, say 6400), before it'll start lowering the shutter speed.
- the final values in this test would be something like 1/250 and ISO 2000.
 

glen

Lifer
Apr 28, 2000
15,995
1
81
to OP: you're describing minimum shutter in Aperture priority mode.

This is a new feature that I've personally used on a Canon 6D.

It only applies to Av mode (and maybe P).

It lets you pick a minimum shutter speed. I keep mine at around 1/125-1/250.

In Av mode, since you set the aperture, the only things left that the camera can manipulate is shutter speed and ISO (if you put it in Auto ISO mode).

Let's say I had 50mm f/1.8 lens, in "ok" lighting.

- In Av Mode, say you set your aperture to f/1.8
- Canon typically sets their 'recommended' shutter speed of 1/focal length, so that means in low/med light, it'll keep aiming for 1/50.
- The camera will auto-adjust the ISO to achieve this 'recommended' shutter.
- Say that to achieve this in your environment, the final values for shutter and ISO were 1/50 and ISO 400.

- with minimum shutter, you'll force the shutter to be 1/250 (if possible).
- you should know that the camera will pump up the ISO as far as it can go (you set the max, say 6400), before it'll start lowering the shutter speed.
- the final values in this test would be something like 1/250 and ISO 2000.
Yep. So, how do you enable that? Of course, I CAN use manual, but having this default on the camera makes it easier to catch quick shots that I don't have time to set up manually.
 

randomrogue

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2011
5,449
0
0
Manual mode is actually pretty easy. The camera has a built in light meter so it's not that difficult to use. The question is whether you understand how a camera exposes a scene and understand the relationships between ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture.

It was for film but I liked reading about Ansel Adam's Zone System.