low light photos

[nanllyn]

I have the S50 camera. I have had it for about a month now and just took it on vacation with me. It takes amazing photos in well lighted areas but I am having problems with night time photos. I am not sure if there is a problem with the settings or if I just am not taking the photos properly.
When I use the night time mode I almost always get blurry photos with streams of lights. I don't always carry around a tripod but I usually try to set the camera on a railing or table to help stabilize the camera for night time photos. It seems like they still always come out blurry. I love taking night time photos of city lights and city panaromic views at night.
Also if I use the video mode and it isn't a well lighted room then it doesn't come out very well. Is there something I need to do to be able to make it brighter?
Does anyone have any ideas on what I might be doing wrong or what settings I can try to use for night time shots. Thanks for all the help in advance.

[sean000]

For every camera I have ever used....digital or flim, if you want great nighttime photos without a flash or illumination, you have to use a tripod. Holding the camera steady won't be steady enough, and neither will leaning against a wall or a rail for stability. A lightweight tripod might even be too shaky if the wind is blowing. For low light I have used the high-speed setting, or manual with a high shutter speed and wide aperture... but that won't get you the effect of streaking lights you are looking for.

You should try something like the UltraClamp if you hate carrying a tripod. It's pretty small and allows you to clamp the camera to a railing, car window, table, etc. Unfortunately it doesn't give you the flexibility of height that you get from a real tripod.

[nanllyn]

I have never heard of the clamp. I will look for it. Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

[sean000]

nanllyn wrote:
I have never heard of the clamp. I will look for it. Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

http://www.bugeyedigital.com/product_main/ped-pd05020.html

REI also sells them. REI also has compact tripods designed for backpacking.

[aravet]

.. I usually try to set the camera on a railing or table to help stabilize the camera for night time photos.
Good.

Don't forget to use the timer, to avoid vibrations during the longer exposure.

Alain Ravet