Advice desperately needed.... - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/01/2005 09:35:10 PM · #1

How should I do this better next time (besides the painfully obvious need for a tripod)? I really love night shots and would love to learn more on how to achieve something more pleasant than this - "Fur"...LOL!

kenskid

Nikon D700

11/01/2005 09:39:04 PM · #2

Triod if using slow shutter, however, I think the focus was bad. I know my D70 has a little trouble at night with objects in the distance. I'm not sure if your cam has manual focus, but I would try that.

KenSkid

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

11/01/2005 09:42:49 PM · #3

mine is a point'n'shoot - no choice of manual focus... when I tried to take the pic with auto ISO all the color left and all you could see was the moon *snicker*
I really just don't quite know where to begin

Apple iPhone 5

11/01/2005 09:44:29 PM · #4

Does it have the option to set 'infinity' focus? (Usually an icon of some mountains)

11/01/2005 09:45:56 PM · #5

yup! :-)

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/01/2005 09:46:05 PM · #6

I see that you use a powershot SD200....nearly the same as mine. I know that this doesnt have manual focus, but still does have focus lock. So, aim at something bright in the distance, and then lock your focus to that position, and then go and do the composition, and get a tripod, or beanbag, or immobilise the camera better at that stage.
Also, experiment with "long exposure", which I'm almost sure your camera can doo too (my SD300 can).........exposing for several seconds each time.
I know you'll get much better results than you have so far.

kenskid

Nikon D700

11/01/2005 09:47:27 PM · #7

If point and shoot, see if you have the "little mountians" on the dial and use that. Also, I used to shine a flashlight at my focus point and see if the camera will focus on that...then I would take the shot.

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/01/2005 09:48:02 PM · #8

what did you have you shutter speed set at and aperture?
Looks like some motion shake because of no tripod but I agree with kenskid, it looks more out of focus.

One thing you can do is get a bright flash light and point it on the trees in the foreground and focus on that. With the proper aperture it should bring most of the picture in focus. Cut off flash light before pressing the shutter button.

11/01/2005 09:49:33 PM · #9

It does have focus lock, long ISO choices and infinity option... and I have a beanbag.. hmm... getting excited :)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

11/01/2005 09:51:44 PM · #10

I don't remember the ISO - it was either 50 or 400 (sorry i get them confused) one end of the dial anyway. I might have even messed with the e/v shift... can't remember.

Apple iPhone 5

11/01/2005 09:53:20 PM · #11

To me it looks like the AF couldn't lock on anything as it was too dark. I'd suggest trying the infinity focus setting for any shots of the stars or the moon; and experiment with the exposure settings if you have that option (longer shutter speeds)

But a tripod or at least something to put the camera on to hold it steady is essential. And if you really want to prevent camera shake, then use the timer. So; Compose scene and steady camera, focus to infinity, set exposure (shutter speed/aperture if possible), set timer, press shutter, stand back and let it do its thing!

Message edited by author 2005-11-01 21:54:04.

11/01/2005 09:55:11 PM · #12

but Noggin....not just ISO choices, ...get the manual out and see how to do long exposure...that's your key. I know your SD 200 does this, via the menu. If you dont have the manual, tell me, and I'll email you a copy of mine.....it will enable you to set the exposure to anything from 1 to about 16 secs. That, and the focus lock are the key. And when you use the "long exposure" setting, the camera automatically uses the "self timer" delay, so that the exposure only begins a while after you have let the camera go, at which time it will be firmly set in the beanbag, with the focus locked to the distance.

11/01/2005 09:55:24 PM · #13

great advice - now I wanna go outside and try it! (brrrrrrr!!)

11/01/2005 09:56:49 PM · #14

Is there any way to "save" this thread so I can come back to it as long as I need to?

11/01/2005 09:57:42 PM · #15

top of the page..."thread options"....watch thread.

11/01/2005 09:58:57 PM · #16

ok - did that - what's it mean to watch a thread?

11/01/2005 10:02:06 PM · #17

Then, at any later stage, you can go to "DPChallenge forums", and at the right side of the page, you can go to "watched threads".
Just a flag, or bookmark, to identify them to yourself for later.