Question about night photos with the DRebel...

[Lamplight]

If this subject has been covered before, I apologize. I couldn't find anything about it.

When I try to take pictures at night with my Rebel, it is too dark for the autofocus to work without the flash (and it doesn't seem to work then, either). So I am left trying to manually focus, but when I do this the photos never come out clear. I really can't tell if they are in focus through the viewfinder or afterward on the LCD. It only does this when there is a fairly small amount of light (obviously), and pictures of lighted buildings and whatnot usually seem to turn out reasonably well. Is there any way I can get the autofocus to work in low light conditions without the flash? And advice would be greatly appreciated. It's kind of disappointing. :(

[scottbergerphoto]

On the 10D you can use an external Canon Speedlight and turn off the flash but use the focus assist on the flash via the custom functions. I don't know if you can do that with the 300D. Alternatively, you could use an STE2, or a flashlight to assist you with focus.
Regards,
Scott

[Lamplight]

Thanks for the quick response! :) The flashlight is a nice affordable idea that I will have to try. I was also wondering if there was a way to use the built-in flash to focus, but not have it fire for the actual picture. ???

[timmyquest]

I was also wondering if there was a way to use the built-in flash to focus, but not have it fire for the actual picture. ???

No, the reason other flashes can do this (550EX for example) can do this is because instead of using the bulp for focus asist it uses an inferred beam.

When i got my 550EX i took it outside in my back yard in the dead of night to see how powerful the flash was, to my suprise i came across an added perk in that the thing will focus in near darkness.

Do yourself a favor get an external flash, and focusing at night isnt the only reason ;-)

[Lamplight]

Yeah, I definitely want to get an external flash. From what I've read on here it sounds like the 550EX may be the way to go. Thanks again, guys. :)

[dtrayers]

The easiest way to use the flash for focus assist but not have it fire is to use it to focus, then put the lens switch in manual focus, then close the flash (you need to be in one of the creative modes like P, Tv, Av or M or the flash will pop up again).

The camera will adjust the exposure for no flash.

An alternative to the flashlight is to use a laser pointer that projects a line. Just watch out for any eyes.