Focusing in the dark

I'm trying to learn how to take pictures at night. I have a Cannon Rebel XS.
The best way I found so far (by trial and error) is to put it in Tv mode and set the shutter speed really slow.
What I don't understand is how do you focus it?? Can it be done automatically?
What I have done that I found works OK is to take a picture with the flash on, then turn off AF and set it up to take one without flash, being very careful not to move the camera.

Please tell me there is a better way and I just haven't figured it out yet!!

Your camera has an auto focus assist, which will emit a light beam towards the subject to give it just enough light for the focus to work, supposedly. It's probably something you need to turn on in your camera menu.

That is what that is? Man, I feel stupid!! I have a lot of learning to do.

Thank you for your reply.

The day we quit learning, is the day we're 6 feet deep.

A big flashlight is what I use. :) I take a large flashlight with me, and shine it on my subject so I can see to focus using manual focus. Once I get it where I want it, I turn of the light, and start shooting.

I did go out shooting one night a couple months ago and forgot my flashlight. That sucked! I ended up focusing by trial and error. Take a photo, check the LCD screen. Readjust the focus and try again...

If you're shooting something fairly close to the camera and that subject doesn't move, then you're all set. For more distance try a flashlight like Mike says. With a moving subject use your best guess, shoot a lot and hope a couple come out. :)

I don't know Canon, but with my Nikon D200 I'll put it in manual focus mode and a "dot" will light up in the viewfinder when it's in focus.

I just set up the shot during the day and sit around and drink beer until it gets dark.

Ok, not really. The above tips work fine. The on camera light only works for close subjects so if its too far you'll need the flashlight.
If there is a light source in your composition, just use that for focus.

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Originally Posted by Frog

I just set up the shot during the day and sit around and drink beer until it gets dark.

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LMAO! That's the best system yet :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by another view

If you're shooting something fairly close to the camera and that subject doesn't move, then you're all set. For more distance try a flashlight like Mike says. With a moving subject use your best guess, shoot a lot and hope a couple come out. :)

I don't know Canon, but with my Nikon D200 I'll put it in manual focus mode and a "dot" will light up in the viewfinder when it's in focus.

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The Canon XS does this also. However I have found if you can't really see the object well, neither will the camera. As for the flash assist focus, I believe it is on by default on the xs, at least it was on mine. I turned it off though.

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Originally Posted by jdbettes

I'm trying to learn how to take pictures at night. I have a Cannon Rebel XS.
The best way I found so far (by trial and error) is to put it in Tv mode and set the shutter speed really slow.
What I don't understand is how do you focus it?? Can it be done automatically?
What I have done that I found works OK is to take a picture with the flash on, then turn off AF and set it up to take one without flash, being very careful not to move the camera.

Please tell me there is a better way and I just haven't figured it out yet!!

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So you are using DOF to ensure your photo's are in focus? It's not a bad way. I always shoot in AV (aperture) priority, with it usually being at least f8. This way, I'll get a reasonable amount of depth.
It also results in longer shutter speeds, as you have already found out!

I guess the torch method works well, if you focus for infinity that works well too :)

I have a tape measure and a Petzl head lamp. The tape measure has a certain degree of error ... and the Petzl uses lithium carbides.

One set of batteries can keep you focussed for life?

Warren.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Frog

I just set up the shot during the day and sit around and drink beer until it gets dark.

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LOL, very good Frog.

You should but using a tripod for the long night exposures any way. I just set the focus to infinity and a middle F stop and let the camera auto expose, but that is for landscapes.