Why does the 300D seem to "prefer" 1/60s shutter speed when using flash?

[armstrom]

I first noticed this "issue" when I got my 50mm f1.8 primary. I wanted to test out the low-light capabilities so I set out to take some shots inside my home. All of the automatic modes (including P) always seem to settle at 1/60s shutter speed, even though the aperture was only stopped down to f3.8 or so. Why does the camera insist on giving me a 1/60s shutter speed when it could JUST as easily give me a faster shutter that doesn't suffer so badly from hand shake??? I can't hand-hold 1/60s, so I'm stuck using the Tv mode to FORCE a 1/125s shutter.

Fast-forward to today, my new Sigma EF-500 DG Super arrives... I pop it on hoping for some different results... Nope, 1/60, every time... Is there any way to adjust the maximum shutter speed? I would like to think that the camera would do its best to give you a shutter speed that doesn't require a tripod, but that doesn't seem to be the case...

Any suggestions? Or should I just continue on using Tv mode for now?

[quberoot]

Hi :)

I don't know if the 300D is similar to the 350D, but I use an ISO of 1600 and the Camera on manual for all my indoor shots.

In manual mode you can set what aperture you require and the shutter speed.

Hope this helps.

Quby

[armstrom]

Hi :)

I don't know if the 300D is similar to the 350D, but I use an ISO of 1600 and the Camera on manual for all my indoor shots.

In manual mode you can set what aperture you require and the shutter speed.

Hope this helps.

Quby
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I could do that as well.. The ISO 1600 isn't so great on the 300D.. With noise reduction software I guess it isn't too bad. As for manual mode.. Yes, I'm aware that this is always a fall-back option. However, there are times when you don't have time to compose an image in manual mode (candid photographs or action shots). In those cases I would like to use one of the automatic exposure modes and be able to count on the camera to TRY and give me a fast enough shutter speed that I don't have to worry about a blurry image from hand shake. Every time I compose an image and see 1/60s as the shutter speed but also notice that there is still some "room" to open the aperture, I have to wonder what the camera is "thinking" when it chooses to to trade shutter speed for aperture... Can it be trying to preserve a specific depth of field??

[ReValveiT]

If you are in 'P' mode then you can just use the 'wheel' switch next to the shutter button to alter the aperture once you've half-pressed the shutter.

I use it all the time...works gr8!

[suemccartin]

I've seen the same thing. I always shoot in shutter priority mode at 1/125 and adjust the aperature till the fstop isn't flashing (which means your backgrounds will be underexposed if I understand right). I use the 550EX and set it to high speed sync as well (don't know if I have to do that but get great shots doing that).