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03/20/2002 04:33:53 PM · #1 |
| Anyone have any tips on how to get a good night picture with a relatively fast slow-shutter speed? For those of us without shutter or aperature priority. Is it generally better to use a flash in addition? |
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03/21/2002 11:09:25 AM · #2 |
Try these things
1. Disable the flash
2. Use a mono/tripod - with the flash disabled your camera will probably use it's fastest/slowest aperture/shutter settings: f3.5/0.25 sec.
3. Use the exposure compensation feature on the MX-1400: -0.9EV to +1.5EV in 1/3EV steps
Of course if you decide to use your flash indoors it will look like night no matter the time of day :-)
Other things to experiment with:
a. Can you control the metering or is it automatic? It might be part of the autofocus system, just thinking it might auto set your aperture/shutter to fastest/slowest setting also.
b. Try different white balance settings, it can make a difference in how the shot comes out.
c. I noticed your camera has a slow flash setting? Not sure what that does, but it might be interesting.
Here are some of your camera's stats from dpreview.com
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FujiFilm MX-1400
Aperture range F3.5 - F9.5
Min shutter 1/4 sec
Max shutter 1/1000 sec
Built-in Flash Yes, internal
Flash guide no.
External flash No
Flash modes Auto, On, Anti red-eye, Slow, Off
Exposure compensation -0.9EV to +1.5EV in 1/3EV steps
Metering 64 segment
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03/27/2002 07:09:03 PM · #3 |
I unfortunately do not have a tripod (I want to buy a tabletop, just haven't yet). The way I got my shots were taking off the flaps (sandals, flip-flops, thongs, whatever you like to call them in your area) and setting the camera on top. (yes, ghetto methods, but it works!) You use the LCD to line up the shot and then (this is important) <I>use the timer function</I>. That way there's no shaking from your hand, or from anything else. You get a rock solid shot.
One thing to be aware of: wait until your camera stops flashing, beeping, etc before you even touch it. Just because you heard the shutter doesn't mean it's safe to move, ESPECIALLY with a night shot.
The funniest part is, the ground was wet (look at my shot, you'll know why), so on most of my shots I looked like a flamingo, standing with on foot tucked against my other leg, while my camera sat on my flaps waiting for the timer to go off so I could move the camera and put the shoe back on. |
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03/27/2002 08:14:36 PM · #4 |
For those of you who don't have or can't get a tripod, a super-cheap solution that works wonders is the... *drum roll*
-> Bean Bag <-
This miracle of modern innovation will give you a solid base to balance your camera on at many angles, and when combined with a timer it allows crystalline slow shutter speed photography.
But I just use a tripod.
Actually, I use a tripod for hand-held shots with my tiny camera these days... a little table top model with folding legs. I close it, tilt it to a convenient angle, and hold the legs in my left hand which frees my right hand for button pushing and such. It makes me feel like I'm filming a super-8 movie!
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04/22/2002 06:44:02 PM · #5 |
Picked up a little bendy flexi tripod at Wal-Mart for $5. No reason not to have one. My wife laughed when she opened my little camera bag and saw this dainty little thing. Immensely useful.
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04/22/2002 09:10:56 PM · #6 |
ok, this will probably seem really stupid, but, is a tripod needed for good shots? i take pictures of everything, and yes sometimes the shutter speed is extreamly slow, (and i finally learned why) but does a tripod really help? such as for taking a picture of a pet or at a sporting event? and in the case of buying it, would a person who bought a 200$ camera and saved a while to get it be able to afford the tripod and all the other assentials? ...
and also, in the case of my camera, are the things mentioned above able to be changed?
* This message has been edited by the author on 4/22/2002 9:11:57 PM.
* This message has been edited by the author on 4/22/2002 9:13:29 PM. |
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04/22/2002 09:33:59 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Chrommonky:
ok, this will probably seem really stupid, but, is a tripod needed for good shots? i take pictures of everything, and yes sometimes the shutter speed is extreamly slow, (and i finally learned why) but does a tripod really help? such as for taking a picture of a pet or at a sporting event? and in the case of buying it, would a person who bought a 200$ camera and saved a while to get it be able to afford the tripod and all the other assentials? ...
and also, in the case of my camera, are the things mentioned above able to be changed
No matter how good or bad your camera is, a tripod will help. You'll have to work out if the money is worth it though. Ignoring any stability issues, the simple process of having to 'set up' the shot makes you think about it a whole lot more. The stability is also a big asset though. I've so far managed to aquire a table top tripod (mafrotto table top kit), a 'big' tripod (velbon maxi 343e) and a velbon monopod (free gift for subscribing to practical photography)
They all have pros and cons and are suitable for different things. I've heard good things about bean bags on several occasions too.
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04/23/2002 01:33:22 AM · #8 |
a tripod, even a little mini tripod, gives more bang for the buck than any other camera-related thing i've ever bought. there. i said it. i'm not ashamed.
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04/23/2002 05:44:04 AM · #9 |
tripod is god : ) . it will make your less than bright light shots MUCH more 'razor sharp'. after a while you wont want to shoot without it. go to best buy and get a fully adjustable ambico tripod with grip and carrying hook for 19.95.
Originally posted by Chrommonky:
ok, this will probably seem really stupid, but, is a tripod needed for good shots? i take pictures of everything, and yes sometimes the shutter speed is extreamly slow, (and i finally learned why) but does a tripod really help? such as for taking a picture of a pet or at a sporting event? and in the case of buying it, would a person who bought a 200$ camera and saved a while to get it be able to afford the tripod and all the other assentials? ...
and also, in the case of my camera, are the things mentioned above able to be changed
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04/23/2002 06:28:08 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Mousie:
a tripod, even a little mini tripod, gives more bang for the buck than any other camera-related thing i've ever bought. there. i said it. i'm not ashamed.
I've a question: I see these guys using tripods in broad daylight and can't for the life of me figure out why they'd waste their time. A tripod is immensely useful for night time shots, sure -- and studio shots just because it's easier to frame your shot and keep it framed with the camera mounted on the tripod. Yet, I see no use for a tripod (which I think is basically for stability) on shots where light is abundant. So the question is .... why?
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04/23/2002 06:35:13 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by magnetic9999:
tripod is god : ) . it will make your less than bright light shots MUCH more 'razor sharp'. after a while you wont want to shoot without it. go to best buy and get a fully adjustable ambico tripod with grip and carrying hook for 19.95.
Bah... I got one of those Ambico crappods. The thing will never level off in vertical or hoziontal shots... Making a slight adjustment with it is next to impossible since the thing is so insensitive to movement. And the whole plastic frame is a bit weak. I'd suggest if you're serious about photography, then grab something better. I'm sort of angry that I waste $20 on the thing, and will likely buy a better one in the future with steal frame and levels.
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04/23/2002 06:52:45 AM · #12 |
Oh really? Too bad. I got a slik $30 one and while it ain't perfect, it makes a kickin difference in any low-light situation. One day I'll upgrade to a carbon fiber Gitzo, but for now, I'm cruisin with my slik.
: )
Originally posted by langdon:
Originally posted by magnetic9999:
[i]tripod is god : ) . it will make your less than bright light shots MUCH more 'razor sharp'. after a while you wont want to shoot without it. go to best buy and get a fully adjustable ambico tripod with grip and carrying hook for 19.95.
Bah... I got one of those Ambico crappods. The thing will never level off in vertical or hoziontal shots... Making a slight adjustment with it is next to impossible since the thing is so insensitive to movement. And the whole plastic frame is a bit weak. I'd suggest if you're serious about photography, then grab something better. I'm sort of angry that I waste $20 on the thing, and will likely buy a better one in the future with steal frame and levels.
[/i]
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04/23/2002 07:26:56 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by langdon:
Originally posted by Mousie:
[i]a tripod, even a little mini tripod, gives more bang for the buck than any other camera-related thing i've ever bought. there. i said it. i'm not ashamed.
I've a question: I see these guys using tripods in broad daylight and can't for the life of me figure out why they'd waste their time. A tripod is immensely useful for night time shots, sure -- and studio shots just because it's easier to frame your shot and keep it framed with the camera mounted on the tripod. Yet, I see no use for a tripod (which I think is basically for stability) on shots where light is abundant. So the question is .... why?
[/i]
Same deal - it forces you to pay attention to framing. It slows you down and you take better shots. It makes any shot sharper, even if it has a fast shutter speed. You get fewer blurred shots.
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04/23/2002 04:08:15 PM · #14 |
| thanks, i'll look into buying a tripod |
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04/23/2002 09:02:29 PM · #15 |
I use a tripod during the day if I want to carefully compose and recompose a shot, without losing my framing when checking the results. It lets you do away with the annoying tendency to drift all around when shooting a bunch of photos of the same subject. Then again, I'm a stickler for hyper-formal arragnement and want to correct the angle as little as possible in Photoshop, so tweaking a shot on the tripod and reshooting it over and over is very natural to me. And it does add that extra little bit of clarity. It's great when framing shots from weird angles, too... it's not as easy to hold a camera 7 or 2 feet over the ground as it is holding it at normal head height. I've dragged my awkward six pound tripod up the side of a volcano just in case, it's so useful. A tripod can let you fiddle with aperture and shutter speed without needing to worry if that really long, small-aperture shot is going to be blurrier than the wide-open short exposure. They are also good for fending off hordes of chainsaw wielding bikini girls, who usually only come out during the day. Usually.
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04/23/2002 09:42:49 PM · #16 |
now the problem is, what kind of tripod? Monopod? table top? non-table top (not sure what their called)...so many choices, and so little money
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04/24/2002 07:03:12 AM · #17 |
i wouldnt get a mono as your 1st pod. u lose the advantage of being able to leave it standing in one position, which is excellent to have for repeatability of your shot. you can leave the camera set up and consistently pointing at your subject while moving your lights, or whatnot. very useful.
and a tabletop is fine - unless there are no tables, nor short flat headed people on which to set the pod.
regardless of what the naysayers say, you really can't go wrong, esp as a beginner, with a 20-30$ tripod. that's really so little cash, that, a year or so from now, if you've outgrown it, and u want to buy something more lofty, you won't feel too bad about having spent the $30, because you'll have gotten more than your money's worth.
i would go to ritz camera and look at the Slik brand pods. They have a fair number in that price range. You'll also see that most of those are adjustable to double as table top pods, if you want to use them that way. also you may find something at ritz and then be able to order it for cheaper from bhphotovideo.com, which is a great, reputable place to order from.
good luck
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04/24/2002 09:57:33 AM · #18 |
thanks for all your help everyone. i would be lost without it.
oh and also, i forgot to ask, how do i know which tripods will fit on my camera? or do all of them?
* This message has been edited by the author on 4/24/2002 10:00:59 AM. |
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04/24/2002 04:30:50 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Mousie:
a tripod, even a little mini tripod, gives more bang for the buck than any other camera-related thing i've ever bought. there. i said it. i'm not ashamed. me either.
Originally posted by langdon:
<snip> Yet, I see no use for a tripod (which I think is basically for stability) on shots where light is abundant. So the question is .... why?
Originally posted by GordonMcGregor:
Same deal - it forces you to pay attention to framing. It slows you down and you take better shots. It makes any shot sharper, even if it has a fast shutter speed. You get fewer blurred shots.
Also the tripod is a god send if your taking pictures of far away things, most of my shots are at greater than 50 feet. For me the harder I try to hold it steady the more it seems to shake. You level it out then as you turn the head the angle remains the same as you pan across your view. Its also nice if your going to be stiching a series of photos into a panoramic.
The leveler on mine is a simple affair. A round fluid filled disc with an air bubble in it. There is a circle slightly larger then the airbubble in the center. When the bubble is inside the circle its level.
On cold days Ive even sat in my van with the engine running and the heat on. Reach out the window to press the shutter. Then I dont have to worry about the vibration of the vehicle affecting a long exposure shot and im NOT cold.
Chrommonky:
As far as I know the tripod mount screw is a standardized thing. You might want to bring your cameara with you when checking out tripods. That way you can see how hard or easy it is to take your camera on and off. Some have a quick release top for easy camera removal.
---- yes some of my posts are long. |
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