D50 Dark photos... need help and fast

[fear4fun]

First off, I'm lucky. I train all sorts of animals like Bears, Tigers, etc, etc., this week its Deer. We are filming a Ford commercial in Vancouver using these Deer and we're in this gorgeous old growth forest. I'm trying to shoot the Deer,but don't want to use the auto setting, because the flash make things seem ugly, with the flash turned off the shutter speed is too long and everything blurs.

I'm using a 18-55 lens, (because Edmontons airport customs broke my good lens on Saturday). At 55 I have a min. f/stop of 5.6 at 18, its 3.5 I'm now trying to shoot on the apperature priorty, shutter priority or manual. I prefer the manual to adjust both the f/stop and shutter speed. No matter what I do I can't get a properly lit photo. Everything is to dark or blury.

I need suggestions!!!!!!

[shootem]

Try shooting aperture priority, set your aperture to 5.6 (because that's the fastest you'll get at the longer length...). Be absolutely certain you have the deer in focus (don't let the camera focus on the trees...) and bump your ISO to 400, even try 600. Unfortunately a higher ISO's Nikon has a problem with noise. If your shutter speeds fall below 1/125s, and you aren't on a tripod, you may find it difficult to keep things sharp without excellent hand holding techniques.

Carolyn

[fear4fun]

I had tried that, but the camera wasn't getting enough light. In fact, I think the ISO was at 800 for some of my shots, and they still didn't turn out.

[shootem]

What about a remote flash, not directly on the deer? Even directly, with a filter on the flash?

If I were you, I would get my hands on a fast lens (at least 2.8) and test it. You can rent one if you can't borrow one. I'm guessing it's too dark for a slow lens. If you have no better results with a faster lens, I'd send the camera into Nikon. Sorry I can't be of more help. I'm sure you are under a time crunch.

Carolyn

[SMcEvoy]

It sounds almost like your white balance has been set to something it shouldn't have. You can do a preset white balance off a card or something 18% grey (like the inner lining of all the lowepro camera bags). Or, also check your exposure compensation dial. Maybe it's slid around so it's making exposure compensation adjustments to the minus side and darkening everything.

Good luck!

[mags]

I also have nikon D50 and i use ap I got a flashgun this dose help me with manual setting as like you i found pics very dark with the kit lens