Help with M mode

[bassyb]

In M mode the exposure level indicator on Rt side of screen is always at -2.
Open up F stop to 2.8,no difference.
Level indicator becomes 0 when shutter speed is at 6 s.

So a reasonable 1/60 s, f 2.8 is just blacked out all the time.
What am I missing??

Thks,
Doug

[CJinAustin]

Change your exposure to zero.. If you don't know how it's in the manual. very easy though/

[bassyb]

Sorry I'm a rookie.
What exactly do you mean by "change the exposure to 0"??
Thks Doug

[bassyb]

Sorry I'm a rookie.
What exactly do you mean by "change the exposure to 0"??
Thks Doug

[cosworth]

You also need to adjust your ISO. I recommend reading your camera's manual and possibly hitting the local ibrary for some old school shooting knowledge. Film or digital it won't matter - M is m.

[JeffreyG]

In M mode the exposure level indicator on Rt side of screen is always at -2.
Open up F stop to 2.8,no difference.
Level indicator becomes 0 when shutter speed is at 6 s.

So a reasonable 1/60 s, f 2.8 is just blacked out all the time.
What am I missing??

Thks,
Doug

You are missing that it is too dark to shoot whatever you are trying to shoot handheld without flash.

In M mode you can pick the ISO, aperture and shutter speed but you cannot magically make the settings you want to use work if the conditions are really too dark.

It sounds like a proper exposure is in the neighborhood of f/2.8 and 1/6th seconds (ISO not specified). To get that shutter speed to 1/60 with the same exposure level you need to find another 3 stops of light / sensitivity.

If you were shooting at ISO100 try going to ISO800. There is your three stops.

If you were already at ISO800 then turn on the flash, put the camera on a tripod or turn on some lights.

[bassyb]

Thanks very much.
Doug

[CJinAustin]

Sorry I'm a rookie.
What exactly do you mean by "change the exposure to 0"??
Thks Doug

Sorry I actually thought you meant something else..

You will have to make adjustments; a higher ISO, a larger aperture, a longer exposure, a flash... You have to get more light to the sensor or make the sensor more "sensitive" by incresing the ISO.