 BetterPhoto Member |
Taking pictures in very low light conditions I was just wondering about taking photos in very low lit conditions. Of course a tripod would be necessary, but how would I determine the length of time required to properly expose the film? Is it pretty much a guessing game? For example,if I were taking a picture of a dark scene outside, and my light meter on my camera shows that there is not enough light. How then would I determine a proper exposing time? I recently purchased a Canon EOS Rebel II SLR with AF. Is it considered a fairly good camera? Any tips on determining the proper time for exposure in low lit situations would be extremely helpful to me.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Pete38 Jones |
Good question I'd love an answer too...I found some help at- http://www.gerardoh.per.sg/article/nitephoto/ see what you think
|
|
|
|
||
|
Wayne Attridge |
Besides buying a light meter that can give you an accurate reading, there is one method you can use that will give you a better idea. If you turn your camera setting to an ASA that is higher than the film you are using, say 3200 and check to see if you can get a reading there, then you can do the math, that is half the film speed and double the exposure time. Keep doing this until you reach the film speed you are using. EG 3200 at 1/2 second, 1600 at 1 sec, 800 at 2 sec, 400 at 4, sec, 200 at 8 sec. Then frame the exposure, that is , take three pictures, one at the calculated exposure, one at one stop under, and one at one stop over.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Zaheer Sattar |
1)Unless u r a pro, u should use std cosumer grade iso 100 or 200 films. Reason, they have a wide exposure altitude, that is they forgive u for ur 25% exposure miscalculations. Thats how u gradually learn. 2)Bracketing (varying 2 shots the half stop up and down ur set aperture) gives u the same result as varying the exposure time up and down by 50%. 3)I believe at least 50% of the light meter sales in the world end-up in the hands of the learners that dont understand the "exposure". Ur camera light meter is almost every thing u need
|
|
|
|
||
|
Steve A. Stephens |
Jeff..The camera you've purchase is a good beginning camera but the built in light meter can be off by a stop..not usually..but they can be...using good consumer film is really key..make sure the exp. dates aren't close to expiring..secondly..since the camera is trying to automatically grab the light and tell you what to expose for..you can either rely on program or you can set to shutter priority and adjust it down into the longer range for exposure and the camera will adjust the appeture automatically...no if your shooting a scene that is really dark and your set on app. priority..then the shutter will be adjusted by the camera...take for instance shooting action...I'll set my shutter to a slow speed and let the camera adj. the app. setting ...that will give me the reference of movement with blur as I pan with the action..now with low light...I'll adj. the app. setting to wide open and let the camera adj the shutter...let the camera work for you..alot also depends on film speed and max app of the lense your using..if your using an f4 lense..your going to be disappointed with the results...but if your using an f2.8 or 1.5..well the results are going to be really really good...hope this helps in the answer your looking for....Steve
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||