Why won't my Nikon D80 take a photo in Manual/Bulb mode in the dark?
Asked 7/29/2011
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2 answers
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I'm a beginner using a Nikon D80 and trying to shoot light trails. In Manual mode with Bulb selected, the camera sometimes won't fire when I fully press the shutter. Half-pressing makes the lens move, but in a dark scene it often refuses to take the shot. In Auto mode it will take a picture. I also noticed it works if I switch the lens to manual focus. Why does this happen, and what camera/focus setting should I use for night or light-trail shots?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
18
Re. your answer - you don't have to have the focus set to Manual just because you're in Manual mode, but autofocus systems generally don't work in the dark. Therefore the camera will fail to focus and refuse to take a picture. By switching to manual you remove that problem.
Switching to Auto mode may allow autofocus because it turns the AF illuminator on. Autofocus works by splitting the image coming through the lens and then calculating the focus needed to recombine it. If the image is too dark, the camera can't 'see' what it's splitting and recombining, and so it will fail to focus. The AF illuminator lights up the scene so the camera can make its decision, but it's usually turned off when in the priority or manual modes.
When light painting, it's best to pre-focus manually with the lights on, then leave it on manual and turn the lights off.
Originally by user3205. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3205
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Manual exposure mode does not require manual focus. The issue is autofocus.
On the D80, if you are in AF-A or AF-S, the camera usually will not release the shutter until it has focus lock. In a dark scene, autofocus may fail because there isn’t enough light or contrast, so the camera keeps trying to focus and never takes the picture.
Why it works in Auto mode: Auto mode may enable the AF-assist illuminator, which helps the camera focus in low light. In Manual mode or other creative modes, that assist may not be active.
Why switching the lens to manual focus helps: with MF, the camera no longer waits for autofocus to lock, so it will take the exposure.
For light trails/night shots, the usual approach is to pre-focus manually (or autofocus on a bright object first, then switch to MF), then use Bulb or a long shutter speed. If desired, AF-C can also allow shutter release without confirmed focus. Also check that you’re not accidentally in mirror lock-up mode, where one press raises the mirror and the next takes the photo.
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