"Subject too dark"

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macs

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Name
Rich
Edit My Images
Yes
I've got a Nikon D3000 and i've just tried a couple of light orb shots and my set up was as follows:

Manual mode,
F16,
Bulb setting,
ISO 100,
Matrix metering,
Manual focus,
Vibration Reduction off,
Wireless remote trigger,
and shooting in RAW.

When I turned the lights off so i could do the shot the screen showed a warning of "subject too dark" and the help butten suggested using a flash.

Is there something I am doing wrong? I am hoping to try some light trails and get a 10stop ND filter in the future but that wont be any use if the camera won't trust that I have metered for the shot correctly.

What can I do to stop this happening in a similar situation again?
 
I thought it was odd too.

I've just experimented with something and the camera won't take the shot when in remote trigger mode but will work fine when in shutter release mode. Which obviously isn't great for when i use a 10 stop ND filter.
 
Don't trust the "Subject too dark" message especially when you are doing light orbs. I often get this message during night shots. It is showing as a guide. It appears because the camera is metering the light and if you were to take that shot as it stands, it certain would appear too dark. However, as you are doing light orbs and adding light this should be okay.

I don't believe the message should stop you from taking a shot.
 
Have you switched the lens to Manual focus?
 
Sounds like you need a cable remote rather than the wireless one.
 
Turn off the auto focus and VR if you have it.

If the wireless remote stops working for you, set the camera to a 2 second timer.
 
Thanks guys. I'd set the focus the manual and the VR to off.

I think my remote shutter release might be a bit iffy as it allowed me to take shots a bit later.

Setting the shutter to 2 second timer doesn't allow me to use the bulb setting does it?
 
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