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My camera won't take pictures at night


5 years 10 months ago #535531 by toritetel
I own a Nikon D5600. The lens I am using is the 55-200mm. I've been trying to take portraits but the camera will not allow me to. I'm zoomed in all the way at 200, and I would like to take pictures at this zoom, are there any settings I should change? If I used an external LED light would that help? I tried switching to manual mode but it still will not take the picture. Also, I am a beginner and still learning. 

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5 years 10 months ago #535620 by Shadowfixer1
Your problem is more than likely the camera can't achieve focus in the dim light. There are many solutions to the issue from manual focus, to using a flash light to light the subject enough to get focus. The zoom you are using doesn't have a large aperture thus it requires more light to achieve proper exposure. You are compounding the issue by zooming out to 200 mm. The more you zoom, the smaller the aperture becomes thus cutting existing light and making it necessary to add light onto the subject for the cameras focusing system. This is just the tip of the iceberg and there are many solutions to the problem. Using a flash (speedlight) is the most obvious solution.  
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5 years 10 months ago - 5 years 10 months ago #535625 by Shadowfixer1
One more thing. When you say you went to manual mode, you need to specify. There is manual exposure and manual focusing. I would say you meant manual exposure since you used the word "mode" but that's a guess. This is information people need to know in order for them to help.
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5 years 10 months ago #535715 by toritetel
Again, I'm a beginner so I didn't think of mentioning that. On the side of my camera lens there is a switch that allows me to switch to manual focus, so that is what I meant. How would I change to manual exposure?

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5 years 10 months ago #535812 by Screamin Scott
The dial on the top of the camera changes exposure mode. You can also go into the menu & reset the shutter release mode from focus to release but then you will likely take out of focus images. Have you tried using a flash?
Scott Ditzel Photography

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5 years 10 months ago #535897 by toritetel
I just bought an LED light to attach to the top of my camera, and I tested it out today. Although it doesn't solve the problem completely, what settings do I have to change in order for my camera to just TAKE a picture?? I have already set the shutter release mode to release rather than focus but my camera flashes this light, which I know indicates that it won't take a picture. How do I override this?

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5 years 10 months ago #535912 by clbryant1981
Unless I'm missing something, this is more of a shutter speed, on top of many other factors, issue.  Make sure your top dial is on M as already mentioned.  Slow shutter speed is a must.  As slow as you can if you're running out at 200mm.  My guess is with a kit lens, or high aperture one.  Manual focus will be your friend.  Again there's a lot of things to look at with night photography.  I would suggest finding articles to read, and photographs similar to what you want to achieve and see if you can find the settings the photographer used.  That's a good place to start.

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5 years 10 months ago #535968 by Shadowfixer1
What light flashes?
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