Help with night photography

I have been trying to pull of this shot but I can't seem to get it right, The image quality lacks I think, i'm not sure if it's gear or skill doing this but as you can see in the image, it just seems overall fuzzy and I'm not too sure how to explain it.

I'm shooting in RAW, using a tripod, mirror lock up and the remote timer.

Considering that you shot at f/13, the poor IQ could be the result of diffraction. A 350D begins to show diffraction at f/11. Do you shoot at f/13 during the day and get good results?

Did you use the shutter button or a remote? edit: nvm just read it

What's the 'IF' on the sigma for? If it's anything like IS for canon then you should shut that off when on a tripod.

Small note: for being on a tripod that is a very crooked image.

I also shot one at f5, let me put that up for you.

hmm something seems odd to say the least. If it's at f/13, you should have see a nice looking starbursts for streetlights and I'm not even seeing that.
From what you described, it seems like you're doing everything the right way.
I can't imagine it being the lens, but if it's not that... I don't know what else it could be

Might seem a silly question but are you using a filter? Filters can reduce IQ badly in awkward lighting.

Another thing would be what focus method are you using? AF or Manual? If AF, what focus point? If you using centre point it would focus way in the distance in your shot which might put the DOF (which should be sizable at f13) deep into the photo.

Either that or theres a mechanical problem somewhere.

Yeah, which focus point setting are you using?

I was using the center AF point.


also no filters used, the pictures where taken with a hood on.

JamesXP wrote in post #9162730
I was using the center AF point.


also no filters used, the pictures where taken with a hood on.

james use the lens in m/focus and focus one 3rd of the way into the seen and then take the shot,i hope that helps,regards duncan

Some of the best "night shots" I've seen were taken before it's totally dark while there's still some light left in the sky. You don't need much, but you need some.
Lets See Your 30 sec. exposures

I was going to create a new thread but now I'm struggling in regards to some of my photographs having tungsten street lamps in them and making the rest of the scene just a wash with orange, is there a way I can counteract this while taking the photograph or in post processing?

regards.

Post processing should be fairly easy, depending on what software you are using. Just a question of adjusting the white balance.

ISO UP UP UP aperture DOWN DOWN DOWN tripod =)

Bit of a bumperoo, using my 50mm this time!