I finally got my Nikon D40x with a AF-S 18-135mm

Now I have to figure out how to use it, lol...

Why when I increase shutter speed the picture gets darker and darker?

I went out and snapped some hand held photos; now I know that this isn't a macro lense and they suck but I tried anyways

Camera in in hand is a great start. If you are interest in Macro, and other stuff too you would probable benefit from getting a tripod. Check out this link if you have not allready. It can help you to learn your camera. MM

http://nikondigital.com/d40x_digitut...40x/index.html

Thanks for the link.

Now I'm reading how ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed all effect each other and that might be why my pics are dark on a fast shutter speed... Now to figure out how to adjust Aperture.

I can't figure out how to shoot at a high shutter speed w/o the screen going really dark... help

The more light you have the faster you can make the shutter speed.

Originally Posted by toofast I can't figure out how to shoot at a high shutter speed w/o the screen going really dark... help

Originally Posted by teamracephotos The more light you have the faster you can make the shutter speed.

I guess that's why people buy flashes, huh? lol

Well, looks like I'll be sticking to landscape shots for now.... Thanks!

Here's another...

Originally Posted by toofast I finally got my Nikon D40x with a AF-S 18-135mm Now I have to figure out how to use it, lol... Why when I increase shutter speed the picture gets darker and darker? I went out and snapped some hand held photos; now I know that this isn't a macro lense and they suck but I tried anyways

Hi there TooFast....... Congratulations on your new Cam
Now read your MANUAL!

Get familiar with the settings.

You know I don't like reading Manuals myself,
but I always make sure I go through ever page when I get a new Toy.

Even if you don't understand most of the text,
looking at the images in the Manual help a lot.

Learn to use MANUAL Mode, gosh the amount of times Andy Williams
drummed that into my head... I lost count

The more you use your Gear and become familiar with it's settings,
the better you will get.

You will get there Enjoy the new Learning Curve.
... Skippy
.

Can't type fast enough to help you properly.

Have a look at the book "Understanding Exposure" by Brian Peterson.

The short answer is the shorter the shutter speed, the less light gets registered on the sensor, the darker the image.

The smaller the apperture (higher f stop values) the same thing.

You have to get a balance between apperture and shutter speed!

Also rtfm as the saying goes.

Good luck and have fun!

If by "increasing" shutter speed you mean the numbers get bigger, then you are actually decreasing it. The ratio goes from "Faster <---> Slower"

So in effect, if you are speeding up the shutter, you are giving the sensor less time to receive the light.

And yes, a flash would help

Thanks for the replys everyone, it's starting to make sense :)

I can't read my manual right now because it is in spanish or something, lol. The guy I bought it from forgot to send the English version so I'll have to wait till I get the correct manual...

Esta LOCO esse. Es possible que esta un chiste, pero no se dice.

Ok, I think I'm finally doing better with my shots

Here's some pics from today. All were hand held, not edited and taken in MANUAL mode

If anyone can give me some pointers looking at the pics I've taken, that would be great. A lot of the pics were taken in low light.

I have a question about this first one; If I were to increase the aperture, would that increase my field of depth?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by toofast Ok, I think I'm finally doing better with my shots Here's some pics from today. All were hand held, not edited and taken in MANUAL mode If anyone can give me some pointers looking at the pics I've taken, that would be great. A lot of the pics were taken in low light. I have a question about this first one; If I were to increase the aperture, would that increase my field of depth? Thanks!

Well, technically you would be decreasing your aperture, because 2.8 lets in more light than 3.2

But yes, changing your aperture would increase your depth of field. I typically shoot between f/9 and f/15 minimum. Low light is difficult to do macro in unless you have a good flash, because you need smaller apertures which means you're already limiting the light anyway.

For example, number 4 is a perfect example. It shows you just how big (or small) your focal plane is in these situations. You can see just how limited the plane was based on that aperture. Closing the aperture would open the focal plane.