night pictures?

[Lance]

Hi all,
I am trying to take pictures out side at night time. I don't have speedlamp, i have increased ISO but nothing happens... the camara focuses but that is how far I get, am I doing something wrong?
I am using a nikon D50..
Many thanks...

 

[Shutterman]

Lance

What are you trying to take pictures of, what settings are you using on the camera, do you have it set on auto or one of the other modes.

Little bit more info will make it easier to assist.

Nigel

 

[Lance]

Hi there,
I am using manual mode, aperture set to f/8 and fast shutter speed. I am just trying to take pictures of an old church in my area. I have the camara set to auto focus, does this help?
many thanks Lance..

 

[Shutterman]

Hi there,
I am using manual mode, aperture set to f/8 and fast shutter speed. I am just trying to take pictures of an old church in my area. I have the camara set to auto focus, does this help?
many thanks Lance..

At f8 and night time you will get nothing with a fast shutter speed would be better of setting the camera to Aperture priority and then attempt the shot again, whilst you are focusing and metering have a look at the speeds being set.

Try different aperture and make a note of the speeds it will give you an idea of the relationship between aperture and the required shutter speed at night.

If you are still not having any success due to the darkness in the scene, you may have to use the Bulb setting to do some long exposure.

Hope that makes some sense

Nigel

 

[Lance]

I will give that a try! Thank you Nigel, many thanks Lance..

 

[cyclone]

Have you got any pictures at all yet? Even if they are just black?
If you are using AF-A then the camera will not fire until it has locked focus, which it may not be able to do in such low light.
If you can't get it to focus then you'll have to use manual focus or shine a big light onto the subject while the camera focuses.
I shot a couple of a local church recently ISO100, f/8, I had to leave the shutter open for about 7 minutes.