Night Waterfall---Nikon users help, please

[mmyers29]

[IMG][/IMG]

Camera: Nikon D5000
Exposure: 1.5
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal Length: 122 mm
ISO Speed: 3200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Return not detected


First night shot, really! Just want some feedback as far as my camera settings. Yeah, I got the shot but what could have done differently to make it better? Nikon users out there... is there any WAY to override the flash to shoot at night?

[ffscj3562130]

I your using aperture priority, shutter priority, or manual the flash should not flash automatically. If in auto you can turn the flash off in the menu.

[CiiVii]

What mode were you shooting in? I think the flash only has a mind of its own in Auto...

[dakwegmo]

The extended EXIF data on Flickr says you were using the Manual Exposure Program. I don't know about the D5000 specifically, but on other Nikons I've used (D40, D70, and D300), when shooting in M mode, all you have to do is push the pop-up flash down and it won't fire. As long as it's up, it fires at whatever settings you're flash is programmed for.

[Cam Monroe]

Originally Posted by dakwegmo

The extended EXIF data on Flickr says you were using the Manual Exposure Program. I don't know about the D5000 specifically, but on other Nikons I've used (D40, D70, and D300), when shooting in M mode, all you have to do is push the pop-up flash down and it won't fire. As long as it's up, it fires at whatever settings you're flash is programmed for.

It is the same on the D5000 as well

[mmyers29]

It is a D5000. I had the camera in M and I kept getting the annoying flashing ? that says the shot is too dark and to use the flash. The only way I could figure out to get around it and get this shot was to set the flash on 1/32. I could not figure out how to manually override the flash. The camera would not take the picture or even shoot because it was too dark. Never could figure out how to tell the camera I was smarter than it!!!

I kept pushing the flash down and tried to reset my settings so that I did not have to use the flash, but I could never figure out how to make it work.

So, if I put it in M and then set Aperature priority, shutter prioority and manual flash then I can take the shot manually without having the flash fire?

Have been doing some research on it and still have yet to be successful.

However, the photo did turn out well, but I think the brightness of it is caused from the flash reflecting. We were trying to also do the night thing where you use a flash light to make designs and have your shutter on bulb or a 30 sec delay and it would not work without the flash and of course the flash ruined the shots.

So, apparently the flash on my nikon is evil!

Thank you all so much for your help, but unfortunatley I'm still really baffled by the flash on this Nikon.

[dakwegmo]

The "subject is too dark" message is actually an autofocus problem. Basically, if there's not enough light for the camera to get an AF Lock it won't fire. An easy fix is to switch to manual focus mode.

Was your AF assist lamp on? That should help with the focus lock, unless you were far away from the waterfall.

[mmyers29]

I was about 10 to 15 feet from the waterfall... didn't want to get my camera wet. I was using manual focus but I do believe the AF assist lamp may have been on.... i don't know. I had it in manual but guess i need to read my manual again to figure out how to shut other settings off in order to over ride the camera when i don't want its assistance.

Thank you for your help. Any more suggestions would be great!

[azaleadunn]

i have the d3000 and i have the same problem! i was rereading the manual lastnight and it says that only settings that will allow turning the flash off besides the auto w/no flash is manual, nighttime, portrait, kids & macro. our manuals are probably different, but that list was on the "flash mode" page.

[azaleadunn]

i'm sorry, i typed that wrong. manual was not on the list. the only flash settings for the MANUAL mode are fill flash, red eye reduction flash and rear flash.