Focusing in the dark...

[OdiN1701]

How do you guys focus in the dark? I was at a reception in the backyard of guys house until about 10PM. No lighting other than some strings of christmas lights here and there, and a little light coming from the deck area of the house.

Autofocus was spotty at some points and just wasn't working how it should. And viewing through the viewfinder was darker than just looking at the scene. Had to use apertures from f/2.8-f/4 to get enough light in through the lens.

Are there any tricks you guys use for focusing? AF assist can help, but part of it was blocked by my micro apollo softbox on the flash head. If there was something to bounce I'd have used that, but I didn't want to use a direct, non diffused flash.

[song4themoon]

I think that there isnt a whole lot you can do but either set up a light or step closer, but maybe I am wrong.

I have a question.. if it was that dark, so that the camera didnt focus right, how could f2.8 - f4 be enough? Or did you use flash in addition?

[OdiN1701]

I think that there isnt a whole lot you can do but either set up a light or step closer, but maybe I am wrong.

I have a question.. if it was that dark, so that the camera didnt focus right, how could f2.8 - f4 be enough? Or did you use flash in addition?

I had a 580ex flash I was using with the micro apollo softbox. Set about +2 on exposure. The lights in the background would show up, and the flash would light the subjects. I liked the light because it has these cool spots of light in the background from the christmas lights. I took plenty of shots so got good in focus ones. It's hard to use manual focus for capturing candid moments though, at least when hardly able to see.

[nancypics]

I've done it manually, through the view finder, and bracket - as in, I'll start with something that I think looks right and then take a couple more shots that are adjusted either way (further or closer). I usually end up with something that's sharp (as sharp as you can get in low light, anyway). I prefer manual focus overall though - I'm not usually as satisfied with the results from autofocus.

[OdiN1701]

I've done it manually, through the view finder, and bracket - as in, I'll start with something that I think looks right and then take a couple more shots that are adjusted either way (further or closer). I usually end up with something that's sharp (as sharp as you can get in low light, anyway). I prefer manual focus overall though - I'm not usually as satisfied with the results from autofocus.

Yeah I usually auto and then manually adjust. Can't bracket candids a whole lot. And by dark I mean that I have to focus by looking at the edges of people. Not an easy task.

[Maureen Souza]

I had the same problem last year... a few dim Chinese lanterns and white rope lights made focusing very difficult. What finally helped was pushing he flas preview and the focus button at the same time. Not perfect but you can see how things turned out here:

[jamiewexler]

Unblock the AF assist light. If the softbox blocks it, rip that sucker off and use a different diffuser. At some point it becomes so dark that the camera can't see what you're asking it to focus on. That's where the AF assist comes in.

Opening up your aperture has absolutely no effect on AF since your camera always focuses with the lens's widest aperture (that's why you have an Aperture Preview button next to the lens - it's not just so you can use your flash as a flashlight to help bridesmaids find their earrings on the dance floor!).

If you must have the softbox, then you can try to MF. It's been my experience, however, that it's tough to get sharp shots using MF in the dark unless you are stopped way down.

[jillybean]

Unfortunately, this is usually my problem at most receptions. I just go for manual focus- everytime

[jamiewexler]

My dark reception AF woes went away when I bought the 28-70 f2.8L and the 550EX. With the AF assist light on the 550 and the USM of the 28-70, I rarely ever find my camera hunting for focus anymore. The 17-40 f4 is almost as good, while the 70-200 sucks (beyond the range of the AF assist maybe?). When I used 3rd party lenses (Tamron 28-75 f2.8, Sigma 18-50 f2.8 ) I always had trouble focusing at dark receptions - even with the AF assist.

[OdiN1701]

Unblock the AF assist light. If the softbox blocks it, rip that sucker off and use a different diffuser. At some point it becomes so dark that the camera can't see what you're asking it to focus on. That's where the AF assist comes in.

Opening up your aperture has absolutely no effect on AF since your camera always focuses with the lens's widest aperture (that's why you have an Aperture Preview button next to the lens - it's not just so you can use your flash as a flashlight to help bridesmaids find their earrings on the dance floor!).

If you must have the softbox, then you can try to MF. It's been my experience, however, that it's tough to get sharp shots using MF in the dark unless you are stopped way down.

I really like the diffuser. And I really don't want to be using direct flash. I may look into a different one that doesn't block the AF assist as much.

[tim]

I really like the diffuser. And I really don't want to be using direct flash. I may look into a different one that doesn't block the AF assist as much.

Get one of these (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=32690&is=REG&addedTroughType=search), they don't block the AF lamp.

[OdiN1701]

Get one of these (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=32690&is=REG&addedTroughType=search), they don't block the AF lamp.

I saw that one and plan on grabbing it.