Night photography with 35mm SLR camera (beginner, help needed)?

Question

I've got myself a lovely old, Minolta SRT101 camera with the original Rokkor 55mm f1.7 lens attached to it. I'm basically just after some free advice about shooting at night with it. I've got a tripod and one of those release cables. But when it comes to the settings, I'm a little confused. I plan on using 400 ASA films, the widest aperture setting (which is f1.7 on this lens) and shutter speeds like 1/60, 1/30 and 1/15 of a second.

With all these settings in mind and in conjunction with a tripod and release cable, should my shots be really crisp and clear?

I should also point out that the photos I'll be taking will be of city lights, street lit scenes, car light trails etc. so no flash required.

Thanks, a complete novice.

Answer 1

This is what I used to do. I really liked 25 ASA film, the higher the rating, the courser the grain. Shoot with the smallest aperture you can, 11 16 22. You can then make the exposures really long. 30 secs+ illuminate the foreground with a hand held flash or even a torch (torch painting)
Have fun!

Answer 2

Sounds like you are set to go, just change exposures from 1/30th on down to bulb where you hold the shutter down until you feel like releasing it several seconds later and see what you get. The carlight trails always look neat. Also if you are riding in the front seat of the car, put the camera on the dashboard, aiming forward, and hold the shutter open for a few seconds as the car goes down a well lit street. This will give you a neat streak that starts in the middle of the frame and extends to the sides. I started with a Minolta SRT 100 myself, good beginner camera; no auto features so you have to learn.

Answer 3

Here you go. Settings that will get you some good images. I use the FotoSharp (fotosharp.com) Day & Night Exposure Guide and highly recommend it.

City skyline in distance (after dark)

ISO 100

f5.6 @ 15 seconds
f8 @ 30 seconds
f11 @ 60 seconds

ISO 200

f5.6 @ 8 seconds
f8 @ 15 seconds
f11 @ 30 seconds

ISO 400

f5.6 @ 4 seconds
f8 @ 8 seconds
f11 @ 15 seconds

See? You really don't need a high ISO and you certainly don't want to be shooting wide-open. Lenses are designed for optimum performance at between f5.6 and f11.

I have a couple of examples at flickr.com/photos/8184104@N06

Both using ISO 200, f8 @ 15seconds. I used my 70-210 zoom. In the "motion" one I composed at 70mm and then carefully zoomed in to 210mm.

Answer 4

Try the widest aperture with each shutter speed. Mark each of these down. Then go to the next aperture setting and repeat same process. you will see the difference. There is faster film you can buy at a camera store that sells camera equipment and you may get good advice from these sales people.
I did the same thing with black and white film. Experimenting is a good way to go and you will surely get interesting results.

Answer 5

I would tend to lean towards some longer shutter speeds, unless your in extremely brightly lit areas. The 400 sp film is a good idea, bracket your exposures, and keep a note book on your settings. Practice will make you a nocturnal pro !!
I had an SRT201 myself, the light meter even worked. Loved that darn thing...miss it sometimes too

Answer 6

Ah the SRT-101...that was my first 35mm camera! It is so heavy that you could use it to defend yourself if need be! There should be a table of settings inside your roll of film offering suggested times and apertures. That's the best place to start, then bracket from there. Have fun, I hope you'll share the results!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Everybody's answers are great. My only suggestion would be to use the lowest commercially available film speed (ISO100).