Digital Cameras Forum

Digital Cameras Forum Discuss compact digital cameras or ask general digital photography questions - what camera to buy, memory cards, digital camera accessories, etc. You may also want to look at the Digital SLR forum, or the Camera Manufacturer forums.
Digital Camera Pro Reviews >>
Read and Write Digital Camera Reviews >>
Digital Camera Buyers Guide >>
Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Night Settings

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Washington
    Posts
    1

    Lightbulb Night Settings

    I am pretty new at this whole digital camera stuff. I take gorgous photos during the day but at night I dont know if its the camera or me. I was wondering if someone out there might be able to help me with some settings for taking night shots.

    I am using the Minolta Dimage Z1 and I cant seem to take non-blurry pictures at night. On a recent trip to seattle I went to the space needle and tried to take some picturse of the city at night.i was unable to get even 1 picture that was clear. Even holding the camera as steady as I could and bracing in on the rail. It seems to be taking a long time to process the picture. what I mean by this is that when it is set yo auto and it half-click to focus it works fine, but when I fully press the button to take the picture I believe the shutter is staying open too long. Even with my camera on a tripod the other night watching the Eclispe I could not get a good picture. Is there anyone that could help me maybe with some settings or just some general know how?

  2. #2
    News & Rum-or-ator opus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Southeast Wisconsin
    Posts
    2,505

    Re: Night Settings

    NIght shots without flash are by definition going to be long exposure shots. So you absolutely must use something to perfectly stabilize the camera...most people use a tripod, but I've used a bridge, a bench, a post ... anything that I can set the camera on so that it doesn't move.

    Once I've got the camera sitting on something extremely stable (your body is not good enough, unless you're made of solid granite, you will shake and breathe and sway, etc.) ... then look through the viewfinder and frame your shot. Then, the very best thing is to set the self-timer, push the shutter button, and step away until the camera has finished taking its picture (you have to listen for the second "click" in a long exposure).

    If you don't have a self-timer, then I suppose you can push the shutter release button with your finger, but BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO MOVE THE CAMERA EVEN A SMIDGEN.

    This is what you must do to take non-flash night shots.
    Drink Coffee. Do stupid things faster with more energy.


  3. #3
    Excuse me while I burn in the sky Clicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Texas, USA
    Posts
    511

    Re: Night Settings

    I can't live without a Shutter Release
    Rachel

    What happens when you hit a Thousand? Should I watch for Balloons?

  4. #4
    Member shadz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    St. Louis, Mo. USA
    Posts
    61

    Re: Night Settings

    I have a remote shutter release too. The timer works tho and you don't have to dig it out of your bag.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Dimage Z1 night shooting
    By motorgus in forum Help Files
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 06-14-2004, 04:08 PM
  2. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 05-23-2004, 08:15 AM
  3. Good camera for night shots $300 range
    By 181818 in forum Digital Cameras - General
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-21-2004, 10:26 AM
  4. Sports pictures at night
    By mroe in forum Digital SLRs
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 04-16-2004, 07:59 PM
  5. ASA/ISO settings w/ DSLRs
    By Fat Boy in forum Digital SLRs
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-07-2004, 04:43 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •