10D in Night mode.

[k_s_rajeev]

Hi,

I was in SF and was trying to take some shots in the night and I had set my camera in the night mode ( One of the 7 modes in 10D).

Whne I tried to take shots the shutter speed was very low and the photos I got were pretty bad.

All the lights were like scattered in the shot.

Can some one help me.

Thank you.

[ssim]

If my memory serves me correctly the night mode puts you into shooting JPG. I shoot almost exclusively in RAW now, it's just worth it.

You didn't say whether you were trying to hand hold these shots, what was your ISO, lens, etc.

It took me awhile before I finally had an acceptable result and and even at these I think there is alot of room for improvement. Make sure you have a very sturdy tripod. Set your custom function (I think it is 13) mirror lockup to enable. I alway try a couple of shots in P mode and then I start to play with a combination of AV, TV and manual modes. I also make sure that I use the remote release so that, even with the mirror lockup, you are not physically touching the camera.

[robertwgross]

Tell us how you had your tripod set.

---Bob Gross---

[k_s_rajeev]

I am using a 10D with 28-135 IS lens.

I do not use any tripode and I had the IS enabled on my lens.

I was just using the system default, buy setting it to the night mode. I never tried to change any thing else except the zoon.

It was completely in the auto mode.

Thank you.

[CyberDyneSystems]

:D

I think Bob was hinting at something ,. subtly :D lol

To take photos at night,. you will need a long shutter,. and you will therefore need a tripod. There is not much else that can be done other than throwing a whole lot of light at the scene, which sort of defeats the purpose of the night shot.

FYI All the "night scene" on the 10D does is change the sync of the flash to allow for a reasobale close up portrait while leaving a "night scene" background.

[k_s_rajeev]

CDS,

I was on a ship and no way that I could have used the tripode.

I was taking the shot from pretty far and the whole city was lit.

I think If I had taken the same in point and shoot camera I would have got a better picture.

I will post some pictures for your commnets and suggestions for next time.

Whne I take a potriate or a close up shot in the night that seems to be fine.

Thank you.

[robertwgross]

Let me put it another way. Image stabilization is fine to give you an advantage of a couple of stops over non-IS. However, it can't work complete magic. Night-mode shooting is fine, but typically there is a need for tripod stability with slow shutter speeds.

Back when I was stupid, I used to try to shoot something like this with the base of the camera body resting on a post. Of course, this still allowed the lens front to rock up and down a bit.

When I got a little smarter, I put the underside of the lens on the post and got better stability. Of course, in most night situations, a solid tripod is better yet.

With open aperture on the lens, you won't likely have a lot of depth of field, so that explains some of the image. With high ISO, you won't get perfect color purity. Everything is a trade-off.

I am seldom accused of subtlety.

---Bob Gross---

[robertwgross]

k_s_rajeev wrote:
I was on a ship ...


We could have saved ourselves a lot of time if we had known this earlier.

---Bob Gross---

[k_s_rajeev]

Hey Bob,

Sorry to mention it late.


I think when I post my ugly pictures, you guys will be able to help me out better I guess.

Give me time till I go home.

Thank you.

[robertwgross]

There is an old saying that we learn by our mistakes.

Some of us have been learning a lot lately.

On the other hand, some people never learn from their mistakes, so they keep making the same mistakes over and over.

---Bob Gross---

[JABACo]

Bob,

Reading this post reminded me to ask your opinion of night sports photography.

Please en"lighten" me. My son plays football, baseball and tennis for one of the local high schools. It is now getting dark sooner. Without a flash, only using the stadium lighting, the somewhat fast action, with a monopod and using my equipment mentioned in my "signature", could you tell me what would be the best settings for my 10D. I am the tennis coach at the high school and I'm allowed on the sidelines of all the games. Therefore my shots will be taken from up to 10 to 26 yard away, or 30 to 78 feet.

Especailly the metering and the AutoFocus points. I, like you at one time, am stupid.

I don't know if you're in the USA or if you know anything about American football.

You've helped me before hopefully you can again.

Bradley

[k_s_rajeev]

robertwgross wrote:
There is an old saying that we learn by our mistakes.

Some of us have been learning a lot lately.

On the other hand, some people never learn from their mistakes, so they keep making the same mistakes over and over.

---Bob Gross---

Bob,

I asked for suggestion and I apprecite your answer.

I guess some people need more time to learn than others.

Thank you.

[robertwgross]

k_s_rajeev wrote:
I guess some people need more time to learn than others.


What is important for each of us is to know HOW we learn best and then to take advantage of that.

For example, when some users get a new camera, they pick it up and try to start shooting.

When I get a new camera, I sit down and read the manual cover-to-cover before I try to start shooting.

Some people only learn best if they are in a classroom with a teacher in front doing the lecture, and that helps explain why local community college photography courses are doing well these days. Some people only learn if they read and practice on their own.

Many of us can learn by doing a little of all of these things together, and then discussing them in a forum like this. For some of us, the only way to really understand a topic is to have to explain it to somebody else. Only afterward do we really have it crystalized in our own heads.

---Bob Gross---

[NILOLIGIST]

In the past, I have shot some great shots at night. Sometimes I use the night mode, sometimes auto and sometimes AV. I had handheld my shots too. If you are shooting in the dark you might want to get a shutter release and use a tripod. I know being on a boat might not seem a good time to use a tripod but the camera will be steadier than if you are hand holding it. I just got the shutter release remote and I don't know how I lived without it. It is really good for tripod shots, makes you're shots much clearer.

Just something to consider. Next time, try the tripod what is the worst thing that could happen you won't get the shots you want, nothing to lose there you didn't get them anyway.

Good luck,

NiL,

[jimsloy]

JABACo-

My experience w/ sport photography under the lites is to go into Av mode and open that sucker up as wide as possible (i.e. 3.5) and have at it. With the distance you mentioned, you should be able to catch some good stop action as long as the lites are good. However, become a good friend of the Histrogram. Turn the histogram preview on from the menu settings and use it since the LCD screen is **** compared to what you will actually get. You may blow a nite or two to figure out the best settings for the lighting conditions, but it'll be worth it once you get it down.

Also, if you don't have it - a good lens is that 50mm f/1.8 mentioned on several threads here. I've heard nothing but good comments about it and will be getting one myself. At that aperture, you are sure to be able to use a quick shutter speed for low lite conditions.

[JABACo]

jimsloy wrote:
JABACo-

My experience w/ sport photography under the lites is to go into Av mode and open that sucker up as wide as possible (i.e. 3.5) and have at it. With the distance you mentioned, you should be able to catch some good stop action as long as the lites are good. However, become a good friend of the Histrogram. Turn the histogram preview on from the menu settings and use it since the LCD screen is **** compared to what you will actually get. You may blow a nite or two to figure out the best settings for the lighting conditions, but it'll be worth it once you get it down.

Also, if you don't have it - a good lens is that 50mm f/1.8 mentioned on several threads here. I've heard nothing but good comments about it and will be getting one myself. At that aperture, you are sure to be able to use a quick shutter speed for low lite conditions.



You are so right about the LCD screen. I've considered the 50mm f/1.8 but didn't think I needed it nor did I think it would reach out. But considering the 1.6 conversion of the 10D and the aperature & shutter speed you make a good point.

Thanks for your insight.

Bradley

[k_s_rajeev]

Guys then what is the affordable tripode for a learner and has just invested $2200/- on Camera and lens.

Thank you.

[robertwgross]

By the way, once you get set up with a good camera and good tripod, and you have a good idea what you want to do with night mode ...
THEN
If you want to shoot the San Francisco skyline at night, you wait for a fairly clear evening with a bit of a breeze. Too often the city will have a fog hanging around the tall buildings, and that just makes a big blur of light.

Drive out to Treasure Island. If you go to the north end of the island, go to the west side parking lot, near the water. That gets the "clean" shot of the skyline.

If you go around toward the south end of the island, head up to the top of the hill. Although there is seldom a place to park legally, the shot across the Bay Bridge toward the skyline is nice. Pause your car for about a minute in the wrong place and you get a citation.

---Bob Gross---

[topeju]

k_s_rajeev wrote:
Guys then what is the affordable tripode for a learner and has just invested $2200/- on Camera and lens.


When choosing your tripod, think of it this way: Do you mind your $2200 camera and lens hitting the ground from 6' high? If you don't mind this, buy any tripod you find. :)

Most of us don't really like this to happen, so it is heartily recommended you don't start skimping on the tripod to save a few dollars. You'll find a lot of good information on how to choose a tripod at photo.net (http://www.photo.net/equipment/tripods/).

Regarding your original post, you might be able to take the shot without a tripod if you go to Av mode and max out both the aperture and the ISO sensitivity. The fully automatic (such as the night mode) modes might not let you do this (I don't really use them so I don't know). This will at least make the exposure time as short as possible, but in very low light, it might still not be enough. A faster lens (such as the 50/1.8 or 50/1.4) then becomes your only option. This will, of course, make your depth of field narrower, as Bob Gross already stated.