Where do I start?

[Wink Dinkerson]

Hello Everyone!

I picked up a Digital Rebel XT body about 9 months ago, and due to my busy schedule I haven't been able to put the time into it that I'd like to. A friend has given me an inexpensive lens to start with, it's a Cosina 28 - 210 lens. I know it's not the greatest lens out there, but I think it's practical for my purposes as a beginner. Unfortunately my friend isn't local & doesn't have much free time to help me a long the way.
I consider myself pretty good with point & shoots, but this DSLR is a whole new monster to me. All the controls are a little overwhelming, and I could use some guidance as I get started.

My main hobby is Raccoon Hunting, & I'd like to take some really nice pictures of my hounds treeing. Raccoons are nocturnal, & hunting takes place at night, usually, deep in the woods.

My question is Which settings/techniques on my Rebel XT should I be using in the dark?
I always have my hunting light with me, & it's powerful enough that the camera will not want to automatically use the flash when I have my light on the dog. However, the pictures keep coming out blurred, even when I use a tripod. The hounds are barking 120 barks per minuet & part of this challenge is taking that "action" shot in the dark.

I also like to take pictures of lightening, well mostly try to take pictures. I have caught a few bolts with point & shoot cameras, but nothing great.
I'm looking forward to buying another lens, but before I put the money out there I'd like to see what I can get out of my cheap setup. Please feel free to recommend any lenses you think suite my task, along with other equipment you think might make it easier for me.

Ah, before I forget. What are my options on a carry case that will keep my camera from getting damaged while I stumble my way up & down steep slopes through the woods at night?

[WesternGuy]

Blurred pictures happen for a number of reasons...object is not in focus and/or the camera is moved (handshake?) as the shutter goes off. What sort of exposure time are you using and at what focal length are you using the zoom. Do all your pictures come out blurred or just the racoon hunting ones? Give us some ideas on what is happening camera-wise and maybe we can help pin down some answers. HTH.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[Frog]

It would probably help to post a few of the shots. I'd be interested to see those night coon hunt shots. Since you are using a tripod and have a bright light, I'm thinking that maybe the subjects,(dogs&coons), are moving too fast for your shutter speed to freeze them. I suppose it could also be that lens.

Welcome to the forums and hope we can see some of those shots.
This is a great place to learn.

[Wink Dinkerson]

I'm not sure what exposure times I'm using. I'm using the preset modes because I have such a lack of knowledge with the controls , and I've played with different focal lengths. It would do me good to learn how to control both better than I am now.
Not every picture comes out blurred, just the ones I want the most
All these are taken by me with the same set up, but the day time pics were not taken with a tripod.

[gryphonslair99]

First suggestion is buy this book and learn the relationship between Aperture, Shutter Speed & ISO.

Once you have an understanding of the relationship of the three you will have the ability to get the camera out of an automatic mode that it really isn't suited for and into one of the creative modes where you have control, not the camera.

Photography is a compromise of the three above listed factor in exposure. Every situation will change those relationships. By understanding exposure you will have the ability choose the best compromise to produce the photo you want.

[Frog]

What my non expert eye sees looks mostly like subject motion blur.
Until you learn about the iso, shutter speed, and aperture that gryphonslair talks about, I would let your camera use its flash even with your light.
Do you have an external flash? One that mounts to the hot shoe on top of your camera?

[icicle]

By looking at this picture and the exif data it is mostly motion blur.

Camera Make: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Image Date: 2009:07:29 10:31:10
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 59.0mm
CCD Width: 22.20mm
Exposure Time: 0.077 s (1/13)
Aperture: f/5.0
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Auto
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Action program (based towards fast shutter speed)

I would try upping your ISO to around 800 or 1600 however there will be a few drawbacks at higher ISO like noise in your pictures on a long shot
If and when you get another lens and depending on how much you want to spend, and if you want to shot at night a lot get a lens with an f-stop of 1.4 or so

Oh btw welcome to the site.

[Frog]

Yes, 1/13th is too slow to capture the fast action of the jumping dogs.
Up those iso settings. Noise, makes your picture look grainy, isn't always bad and I don't think it will bother you for what you want from your pics.