Long exposure with Nikon D40X?

Question

I recently bought a Nikon D40X but threw away the users manual cause I didn't know it was in some box.

How can use it to take a picture like this
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1116/873632253_3bf78fb810.jpg

What settings and things like that? Thanks.

Answer 1

Here's a manual you can download.
http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=14266&p_created=1175798946&p_sid=GvCLwWMi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NCZwX3Byb2RzPTE5LDM1MSZwX2NhdHM9MTg3JnBfcHY9Mi4zNTEmcF9jdj0xLjE4NyZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1

Put the flash on rear sync then you'll have the ball blurred during the ambient part of the exposure and then the flash will fire at the end of the exposure, the balls will be static.
Something like this.
http://flickr.com/photos/miracle_man/189174658/

Answer 2

1) Switch camera to manual exposure (M on top dial) 2) Select "Bulb" or B shutter speed. 3) Ideally, you'd use the camera with an IR remote like the ML-L3 or equivalent. 1 push of remote button to open the shutter, a second push to close it. Make sure your camera is set to remote mode. 4) Or just push and hold the shutter release button (will give you too much shake).

Answer 3

That appears to be aprox 1/2 sec exposure you'll need a tripod so that static objects will be sharp(obviously) but try e experimenting with a combination of slow shutter speed and flash, it stops action yet still shows motion

Answer 4

1

Answer 5

Well this looks like a zoom shot to me - but it's possible it was done in Photoshop.

You need to buy a new Owner's Manual or you'll never get all the use from your camera.

Here are 2 places to visit: AIRC-Adorama Imaging Resource Center & fotosharp.com. AIRC has a section on SFX (Special Effects) Photography and FotoSharp sells a "Day & Night Exposure Guide".

Suppose you wanted to take a photo of the city skline in the distance at night. That is Scene # 14 on the Guide. It says:

ISO 200, f8 @ 15 seconds. ISO 200, f11 @ 30 seconds/

Obviously you need a tripod and your camera will have to be in Manual Mode. Since your camera allows up to a 30 second exposure you can set it at 15 seconds or 30 seconds and use the camera's self-timer.

Answer 6

I own a Nikon D40, should be very similar to D40x. The camera has shutter priority mode. To set this mode, turn the dial to "S". Then select the speed by turning the dial next to the "AE-L" button. For that photo you'll need 1 to 3 seconds, you'll need to experience with several apertures.

This kind of photography is very difficult to get right. You need a tripod and good sense of timing. If you're new in photography I suggest that first you familiarize yourself with the camera and then take simple photos with good composition and lighting... it's not as easy as it seems!

Answer 7

I don't know if the D40x has bulb, I'm not a Nikon user. However, that shot does not require a setting of bulb. The shot looks difficult, but actually its quite easy if you follow these steps.
1st of all, you'll need a tripod to mount your camera on and a flash either mounted on the camera or a stand alone synced to the camera. Set your camera on shutter priority, and set your shutterspeed at about 2 seconds with your flash on TTL or auto or manual at your metered reading. Take an ambient light reading to determine what f stop to use. Keep in mind with the closeness of the camera to the table you will want the smallest f stop possible, I would say for that shot at least f8 with f16 being ideal(provided you have a powerful flash). You may have to adjust your ISO setting to get this setting. Make sure that you have a lens that will cover the area you wish to include. Have the shooter to set up the shot, and when he's ready, have him to shoot at exactly the count of 3. At the instance you hear the cue ball hit the racked balls, trip the shutter, preferably with a cable release. What happens is what is exposed by the ambient light will be blurred and show motion and what is exposed by the flash will be frozen and look like its still and sharp. This should get you what you're looking for or very close. If not, just try it again after adjusting for 3 seconds or maybe 1 second.
Another way is to set up the same way using another person holding the flash pointed t the balls. This time start at 3 seconds and still have the shooter shoot on 3, but this time you shoot on 2. Have the person holding the flash to fire it at exactly the time the balls collide.Hope this helps

Answer 8

use shutter priority, and try from about 30th to 1 second

a