Night time pics with the Panasonic FZ20

08/11/2005 11:58:16 AM · #1

My FZ20 only goes to ISO 400. Is there something else that I can do to get it to take better/less grainy pictures at night? I had just been putting it on the "auto night" mode.

Message edited by author 2005-08-11 12:06:11.

kyebosh

Olympus 18-180mm f/3.5-6.3 Zuiko ED Digitial Zoom

Canon EF 80-200 f/2.8L

08/11/2005 12:06:33 PM · #2

Tripod at the lowest iso setting.

rayg544

Olympus E-5

08/11/2005 12:09:41 PM · #3

Have you tried Picture Cooler or another app to get rid of the grain. I love night photography and Picture Cooler saves the day for me. Picture Cooler

notonline

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/11/2005 12:14:02 PM · #4

Try this for starters.

iso 100 or lower if you have it.
f4 for he f-stop
4sec. exposure.
A tripod is a must.

This should give you the basics for night photography. From this point you can play around with the different f-stop and exposure times to get a better photo. If you can change you white balance and are shooting a city find out which white balance setting works best for YOUR camera for the lights you have. ie. light on a roadway try tungston. You will have to use your cameras manual or "M" mode settings.

Message edited by author 2005-08-11 12:14:26.

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

08/11/2005 12:22:37 PM · #5

I NEVER went over ISO200 on my FZ10, and only went to ISO200 when I absolutely had to. Use ISO100 and a longer shutter speed. I believe the FZ20 gives you up to 30 seconds? Use a tripod and make sure you turn IS off.
Here are some nightime shots taken with my FZ10:

Message edited by author 2005-08-11 12:23:56.

08/11/2005 12:51:57 PM · #6

Thanks! I was trying to take night time pics of Niagra Falls when they shine the different colored lights on it. I didn't have a tripod with me so I put the camera on a wide rock wall and took the pictures from there, trying to very gently push the button. Your pictures look great! All of mine have been too grainy so far. Some were better than others but still not the real clear pictures that I want.
Thanks for all of your suggestions!

mb27

Panasonic DMC-FZ20

08/11/2005 04:09:49 PM · #7

One thing I do for all of my night shots is use the timer. That way any camera shake I may induce by depressing the shuttter button will be gone before the picture is ever taken.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

08/12/2005 09:49:18 AM · #8

Originally posted by mb27:

One thing I do for all of my night shots is use the timer. That way any camera shake I may induce by depressing the shuttter button will be gone before the picture is ever taken.

I haven't tried that, but I will now. Sounds like a good idea! :)

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

08/12/2005 10:53:19 AM · #9

I have to personally say that using the timer instead of the shutter button did nothing whatsoever. It's useful in a DSLR with mirror-lockup to avoid the slap of the mirror. As there's no mirror in an FZ20, there's very little shake if the shutter is depressed gently.