BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Indoor/Low-Light Photography

Photography Question 

Deepak Damodaran
 

Focusing in Low Light Conditions


Can anyone give me tips on how to focus in low light?


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October 01, 2006

 

Ariel Lepor
  While focusing, shine a flashlight at what you want to shoot.


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October 01, 2006

 

Raymond H. Kemp
  Tell us about your camera, flash and type of lens.

Ray


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October 01, 2006

 

Deepak Damodaran
  I use a Nikon F55 with a Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 lens. The flash I use is the speedlight attached to the camera.


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October 01, 2006

 
- Gregory LaGrange

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  The old standard: keep practicing. Focus on something near, then something across the room. Keep changing distances and try to get quick and accurate. But if you're talking about autofocus, then your camera may just have trouble with that in low light. Look for high contrast spots, or spots that are not as dimly lit - ones that are of equal distance, of course.


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October 01, 2006

 

Mike Rubin
  Good advice from Gregory. Also, if the camera is hunting and cannot focus, switch to manual focus.


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October 02, 2006

 

Andrew Laverghetta
  Look at your manual and figure out how to set the auto focus to a single focus point. After you do that, you will normally have the best luck by pointing that focus point to something that has a strong contrast. If you're trying to focus on something like a persons cheeck in the dark that won't work to well because skin is generally constant. Instead, try the edge of a piece of clothing or of course, the eyes.


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October 02, 2006

 

Ariel Lepor
  What will you be focusing on?

If a dark horizon, focus to infinity in manual.

If a moving object, well, you need at least some light to focus. It's easier in wide angle.


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October 02, 2006

 

Rob Mynhier
  The pro I work with has a small flashlight attached to his Custom Bracket.
Rob


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October 03, 2006

 

Scott M. Langille
  Bring a flashlight. Turn the flashlight on and point it at or near you subject, get your focus, turn the flashlight off and have at it.


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October 04, 2006

 

Ariel Lepor
  :)


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October 04, 2006

 

Sharon Day
  I have a Nikon D70 and the Sigma lens. The lens does not focus well in low light. I don't think it's the camera since my other Nikon lenses do fine on auto focus in low light. You'll have to focus it manually.


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October 04, 2006

 

Deepak Damodaran
  The flashlight technique seems to work.


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October 04, 2006

 
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