Where to find shutter speed on a Nikon

On most Nikon cameras, you control shutter speed through the mode dial — the rotating wheel on top of the camera body. Turn it to S (Shutter Priority mode) or M (Manual mode). In S mode, you set the shutter speed and the camera picks the aperture. In M mode, you control both shutter speed and aperture yourself.

Once you are in one of these modes, use the command dial — the thumb wheel on the back right of the camera — to change the shutter speed. Turn it left to slow down the shutter (longer exposure), or right to speed it up (shorter exposure). The shutter speed appears on the LCD screen on the back of the camera and in the viewfinder.

Different Nikon models place these controls slightly differently, but the principle is the same across DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Check your camera's manual if you cannot locate the mode dial or command dial on your specific model.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn the mode dial on top of your camera to S (Shutter Priority) or M (Manual) to access shutter speed control.
  • Use the command dial on the back of the camera to change the shutter speed value up or down.
  • Shutter speed appears as a fraction (like 1/500) or whole number (like 2") on your camera screen and in the viewfinder.
  • Slower shutter speeds (1 second or longer) blur motion and require a tripod; faster speeds (1/1000 or quicker) freeze action.

Understanding what the numbers mean

Shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second or whole seconds. A speed of 1/500 means the shutter opens and closes in one five-hundredth of a second — fast enough to freeze a moving subject. A speed of 2" (two seconds) means the shutter stays open for two full seconds, letting in much more light but blurring anything that moves.

On your Nikon's display, you will see the denominator only when the speed is a fraction. So 1/500 appears as just 500, and 1/60 appears as 60. Whole seconds show with a quotation mark: 1", 2", 15". Bulb mode, shown as BULB, keeps the shutter open as long as you hold the button down.

The range of available speeds depends on your camera model. Entry-level Nikons typically go from 1/4000 of a second to 30 seconds. Professional models may reach 1/8000 or faster. Your manual lists the exact range for your camera.

Shutter Priority mode versus Manual mode

Shutter Priority (S mode) is the faster choice when you care most about freezing or blurring motion. Set your desired shutter speed, and the camera automatically adjusts the aperture to get the right exposure. This is useful for sports (where you want a fast speed to freeze action) or waterfalls (where you want a slow speed to blur the water). You only have to think about one setting.

Manual mode (M mode) gives you full control but requires you to set both shutter speed and aperture. Use Manual when you want a specific look that combines both settings, or when shooting in very bright or very dim light where the camera's automatic choices might not work. Manual mode also lets you use flash with any shutter speed you choose.

If you are new to shutter speed, start with S mode. It lets you experiment with different speeds without worrying about the aperture changing your depth of field unexpectedly.

Common shutter speeds and what they do

Fast speeds like 1/1000, 1/2000, or 1/4000 freeze motion completely. Use these for sports, wildlife, or any subject moving quickly toward or away from the camera. They also let you shoot in bright sunlight without overexposing the image.

Medium speeds like 1/125, 1/250, or 1/500 work for everyday photography — people walking, cars moving, outdoor portraits. They are fast enough that hand-holding the camera stays sharp, but slow enough that you do not need as much light.

Slow speeds like 1/30, 1/15, or 1 second blur motion intentionally. Use these for flowing water, light trails from cars, or silky clouds. Anything slower than about 1/60 requires a tripod to keep the camera still, or you will get blurry photos from camera shake.

Why your shutter speed might not change

If you turn the command dial and the shutter speed does not change, check that you are in S or M mode. In Auto (A), Program (P), or Scene modes, the camera controls shutter speed for you and will not let you override it. The mode dial must be pointing to S or M.

On some Nikon models, you may need to press a button while turning the dial. Check your camera manual for the exact procedure. Also make sure the camera is powered on — some models do not respond to dial input when the power is off.

If you are in M mode and the shutter speed still will not change, the camera may be in playback mode (reviewing photos). Press the shutter button halfway or press the back button to exit playback and return to shooting mode.

Syncing shutter speed with flash

When you use your camera's built-in flash or an external Nikon flash, there is a limit to how fast the shutter can go. This is called the flash sync speed, and on most Nikon DSLRs it is 1/200 of a second. If you set a faster speed and fire the flash, part of the image will be dark because the shutter closes before the flash finishes firing.

Your camera will usually prevent you from setting a speed faster than the sync speed when flash is active, or it will automatically drop back to the sync speed. If you want to use flash in bright daylight and need a faster shutter speed, use High Speed Sync (available on some Nikon flashes and cameras) or use an ND filter to reduce the light entering the camera.

Checking your shutter speed before you shoot

Before pressing the shutter button, glance at the viewfinder or the LCD screen to confirm the shutter speed is set where you want it. The speed appears in the bottom left of the viewfinder on most Nikon DSLRs, and on the LCD screen on mirrorless models. If the speed is too slow for hand-holding (slower than about 1/60), either increase the speed, increase the ISO, open the aperture wider, or use a tripod.

If you shoot in low light and the camera is suggesting a very slow speed, you can raise the ISO to let the camera use a faster shutter speed. Higher ISO means more digital noise, but a sharp photo with noise is better than a blurry photo with clean colors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What shutter speed should I use for photos of people?

For portraits where people are still, use 1/125 to 1/500 depending on the light. For moving people like children playing, use 1/500 or faster. Always use at least 1/60 when hand-holding the camera, or camera shake will blur the image.

Why do my photos look blurry even though I set a fast shutter speed?

Check that you are actually in S or M mode — in other modes, the camera may be using a slower speed than you think. Also confirm the shutter speed on the screen matches what you intended. If the speed is correct and photos are still blurry, the problem is usually focus (the camera focused on the wrong spot) rather than shutter speed.

Can I change shutter speed while looking through the viewfinder?

Yes. Keep your eye to the viewfinder and turn the command dial with your thumb. The shutter speed updates in the viewfinder display in real time, so you can see the change without taking your eye away from the shot.

What is the difference between 1/60 and 1/125?

1/125 is twice as fast as 1/60, so it lets in half as much light and is less likely to blur from camera shake. Use 1/125 or faster when hand-holding in normal indoor light. Use 1/60 only if you are very steady or the light is very bright.