Why doesn’t shutter speed change in Aperture Priority on my Nikon D40X?
Asked 10/7/2013
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I’m learning to use a Nikon D40X. In Aperture Priority (A) mode, I expected the camera to change shutter speed automatically as I change aperture or move between different lighting conditions. Instead, the shutter speed seems to stay the same. Other exposure modes seem to behave normally. Could a setting be limiting the shutter speed in A mode?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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Several settings could be causing your D40X to demonstrate the behavior you are describing when you are also using the built in flash.
- Check Custom Setting 10. If it is set to 'On' and the Minimum Shutter Speed is set to '1/60 sec', then the camera will increase the ISO rather than allow the shutter to be slower than 1/60 sec (see page 76 of the D40X Manual).
- The following shutter speeds are available when the built in flash is used in Auto, Portrait, Child, P, and A mode: 1/200 - 160 sec (page 117 of the D40X Manual).
- If the flash control mode is set to TTL while shooting in Aperture Priority (A) mode and flash mode is set to Fill, then the minimum shutter speed allowed will be 1/60 sec. To allow slower shutter speeds select slow sync, rear curtain, or slow sync + rear curtain flash mode or use Manual shooting mode to control shutter speed as well as aperture.
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes — on the Nikon D40X this commonly happens when the built-in flash is active.
In Aperture Priority, flash settings can limit shutter speed behavior. With the built-in flash enabled, the camera may keep shutter speed within a restricted range rather than freely adjusting it for ambient light. In particular, if flash control is set to TTL with normal fill flash, the camera may hold the shutter to a minimum of about 1/60 s instead of going slower.
Also check Custom Setting 10: if Auto ISO is on and the minimum shutter speed is set to 1/60 s, the camera may raise ISO instead of lowering shutter speed.
What to check:
- Turn off the built-in flash and test A mode again.
- Check flash mode: fill flash can enforce a minimum shutter speed.
- Try a slow-sync flash mode if you want the camera to use slower shutter speeds for ambient light.
- Check Custom Setting 10 / Auto ISO minimum shutter speed.
So the camera is likely behaving as designed; a flash or Auto ISO setting is probably preventing the shutter speed from changing the way you expect.
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