Shutter speed settings and Live View

Have you been caught out  trying to set the shutter speed in Live View mode and finding it won’t go below 1/30sec? If so, you’re not alone. Just the other day I was asked exactly this question. Fortunately, the answer is very simple – check the Live View mode you’re in.

With cameras like the EOS 5D Mark II and EOS-1D Mark IV, setting the Live View mode is a menu function (unlike the EOS 7D where you simply flick the switch next to the viewfinder). This means if you’ve set the Live View mode to be in Movies, the camera will limit your shutter speed choice to those available when shooting movies – that being 1/30sec if you’ve set your movie frame rate to 24, 25 or 30fps. If you’ve been shooting for slow-mo at 50 ir 60fps, then your lowest shutter speed will be 1/60sec.

This only really becomes a problem when you decide to switch into shooting stills in Live View, especially if you’re shooting landscapes and want a slower shutter speed – it’s a frustrating couple of minutes trying to figure out why the camera won’t allow you below 1/30sec when you really want 2sec.

The solution? Pop into the menu and switch the Live View mode from Movies to Stills. Voila, you’ll now have access to the full shutter speed range!