Help with Canon Rebel XTi... Urgent!

[Fuzzy Orange]

I know this might sound strange, but the exposure on my XTi is wonky. When in Manual mode (or M), the exposure is always -2. All of my shots always turn out completely black. So, can anyone help me? I have a photographic assignment I must get done this weekend, so I kinda need help soon... Thanks.

[Poeben]

Since you said you have an assignment, I won't give away too much:

1. The "-2" you are seeing is what your camera's meter is reading (of course on the xti there is nothing below -2.)

2. Manual mode requires the user to set all three aspects of exposure. Be sure you adjust them properly for your shooting conditions, i.e. your meter should read ±0.

[iBookG4user]

To get it off of -2 you either have to raise the ISO, make the shutter speed slower, or lower the F-Stop.

[Fuzzy Orange]

How do I lower the F-Stop in Manual mode?

[swiftaw]

How do I lower the F-Stop in Manual mode?

Hold the "Av" button and turn the dial

[sjl]

How do I lower the F-Stop in Manual mode?

There are two dials on the XTi (if I remember rightly; it certainly is the case on the 20D, and I'm pretty sure Canon tries to keep the interface reasonably consistent.) One is near the shutter release button. The other is a dial on the back of the camera.

One of those will control the aperture (f stop); the other will control the shutter speed.

[npederse]

The XTi has only the one wheel (I'm fairly sure). But you're correct, hitting the AE button and the then dial will adjust.

[dotcomlarry]

How do I lower the F-Stop in Manual mode?

You read the manual, that's how.

Manual here: http://tinyurl.com/2dw86h