diff --git a/pylonrecorder.h b/pylonrecorder.h
index c8517db..8ebc214 100644
--- a/pylonrecorder.h
+++ b/pylonrecorder.h
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ private:
     void applyScaling();
     void adjustScrollBar(QScrollBar *scrollBar, double factor);
 
-    int defaultBufferSize = 1000, defaultFrameRate = 30, movieCount = 0, defaultExposureTime = 3000, defaultGain=0;
+    int defaultBufferSize = 3000, defaultFrameRate = 30, movieCount = 0, defaultExposureTime = 6000, defaultGain=13;
     QImage image;
     QTimer *frameTimer, *preassureTimer, *labelTimer;
     QLabel *imageLabel, *writingLabel, *grabbingLabel, *cameraConnectedLabel, *fileLabel;
diff --git a/pylonwrapper.cpp b/pylonwrapper.cpp
index 1315c64..ef17782 100644
--- a/pylonwrapper.cpp
+++ b/pylonwrapper.cpp
@@ -73,8 +73,13 @@ double PylonWrapper::exposureTime() {
 bool PylonWrapper::exposureTime(double exposure_time) {
     if (valid) {
         GenApi::INodeMap& nodemap = camera->GetNodeMap();
-        GenApi::CEnumerationPtr(nodemap.GetNode( "ExposureTimeMode" ))->FromString("Standard");
+        double d = GenApi::CFloatPtr(nodemap.GetNode("ExposureTime"))->GetValue();
         GenApi::INode* n = nodemap.GetNode( "ExposureTime" );
+        try {
+            GenApi::CEnumerationPtr(nodemap.GetNode( "ExposureTimeMode" ))->FromString("Standard");
+        } catch (...) {
+            // setting the exposure mode fails with certain cameras.
+        }
         Pylon::CFloatParameter exp_time( n );
         exp_time.SetValue( exposure_time );
         return true;