Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ucbhanna]

I'm looking for a camera (preferably point and shoot, but might end up considering a DLSR) that takes good night shots. I currently have an 8MP Olympus point-and-shoot and the night shots are fair at best. (If I go flashless, the pictures come out dark, blurry and grainy. If there are people in the foreground and the flash is on, the background doesn't even show in the picture.)

I've seen really nice night shots from point-and-shoots that didn't require a tripod. I just don't know the brand or model... simply know they're out there!

Mahalo!

[I_Am_The_Kiwi]

in all honestly, this isnt really the place to ask.
and there is a world of difference between a point n shoot and n SLR - price, size, weight, image quality etc etc

id read around on thet net myself...this is a good site

cameralabs.com and dpreview.com - youll find the most useful info here.

[superdave]

mate, you're talking about every single photographic faux pas regarding night photography.

lol

1. if you shoot at night, you need longer shutter speeds. that means a tripod.

2. grainy is due to your camera automatically increasing the ISO to compensate for the dark, while allowing you to hand hold the shot.

3. flashes only work for subjects up to 3 metres. so the camera thinks you're illuminating the foreground and as a result the background will be virtually black ... this is because the camera must keep the shutter speed fast, otherwise the 'flashed' part will be overexposed.

photography has rules, mostly based on the simple physics of light. i don't imagine there are any point and shoot (PnS) cameras that can capture amazing night photos ... especially without a tripod. unless, of course, the photographer has extremely steady hands.

i don't think a simple poll will answer your questions. if you have seen a PnS that can get good night shots, you should ask the owner of the photograph what camera they used and how they got the shot.

personally, i'd recommend a small DSLR (example nikon D40/D60) and a reasonable tripod (ie not rickety piece o crap). you'll get wonderful night shots with it ... oh, and a cable release or remote is also useful, since the camera can shake when you physically press the shutter button.

if you want to try the PnS method, then switch the camera to night mode or manual mode (if it has that option) and use something to lean against. you can put the camera on a table, fence post, or sturdy object.

alternatively, you can hold the camera, but lean against a tree or a wall to give yourself more stability.

these won't guarantee good shots, but will improve your stability and reduce camera shake.

if you want guarantees, get a tripod!

cheers

david
www.davidsmeaton.com

[ucbhanna]

Sweet, thanks for your advice!

I knew there'd be people here w/ great camera expertise!

I've tried night modes on my camera, but it looks like 1) not only does the camera need to remain steady, but the camera subjects (people in the shot) have to remain absolutely still or they come out blurry... and 2) never do the subjects and background both come out nicely, it's always either or.

Have any words of wisdom concerning this?

[superdave]

[Poemer]

If you are talking about low light situations (like in a bar etc.) there can be a lot of difference from one camera to another. Do a little research on cameras that have a good low light ISO setting, they are not all created equal.

If you are really talking about night shooting, with very little ambient light, then you will need a tripod, as Superdave said.

[ucbhanna]

Ooh, this is all REALLY great advice. Thanks so much for your help.
Maybe I'll play around with my camera a bit more before I give up on it and splurge on another one, heh.