I was looking at a T2i today for a technologically challenged friend. He wants a still camera but wants a backup to his XH A1. The T2i seems a logical choice for him, mainly because of the lower cost than a 7D. However, I can't figure out how to make the shutter stay at 1/50. When I turn it to the video mode, it reverts to auto shutter. I went through all the menus I could find, went back to manual still mode, reset the shutter, go back to movie mode and it goes to auto. Surely there is a way to set it at 1/50. Anybody know what I am missing? Thanks.

Hi Bill, the default Movie mode out of the box is Auto Exposure. You have to go into the menu -- while the program mode dial is set to Movie mode -- and choose Menu > Camera 2 > Movie Exposure > Manual. This is just a one-time thing, unless you ever want to go back to Auto Exposure. Once this is done, you can set a shutter speed of 1/50th using the main dial (that's the roller wheel right behind the shutter release button on top of the camera). You can also set an f/stop manually (limited, of course, to the maximum aperture value the lens allows) by turning the same dial while holding down the AV button on the back. It takes some thumb & index finger coordination. Hope this helps,

Bill, click on menu, select your movie size, go to shutter/AE lock button then select AF/AF Lock, no AE Lock.
If you select 1920X 1080 30fps the shutter speed will start at 30 and go up, if you select 1280 X 720 60fps the shutter speed will start at 60 and go up, and so on !!!

Heres a strange one. I get very jerky, stuttery pans, to be expected in 1920x1080 25 mode, its not so bad, but still noticeable in 1280x720 50.But when I select NTSC as the video system (1280x720 60), pans, in fact any movements are perfectly stable.!! Just like a video cam, any ideas guys ?

Pan sloooooowly.

Hi Chris,

It doesn't seem like a shutter of 1/50 is an option on the T2i, the closest being 1/45 and 1/60. Makes no different if it is set to PAL or NTSC either. This would be a nice firmware upgrade option. I'd also love to go lower than 1/30 in Movie mode for special low-light effects.

Hey Joel,

1/50 is indeed available in 1080p30 and 1080p24
(see attached pics), but not in the other frame rates.

P.S.-- Y'all don't hate me for ISO Auto now. I was shooting stills in the twilight yesterday.

Hey Joel,
1/50 is indeed available in 1080p30 and 1080p24
(see attached pics), but not in the other frame rates.


Have I got something set that won't allow this for me?

~ T2i SHUTTER ~ (http://is.gd/bOC2X)

Looks like you might have Custom Function 1: Exposure Level Increments set to 1/2 stop.
Change it to 1/3 stop, and you'll be able to hit 1/40, 1/50, 1/80 and 1/100. Hope this helps,

That was it!