Nikon d80 pics at night?

Question

i am having problems with dull or over exposed and even under exposed pics when I try to take them at night. I have read the manual So please no answers saying read the manual lol. I am trying to take pics of Xmas lights and pics of the skyscrapers at night. What is a good setting to try. I'm about to grab my laptop and camera and just sit outside taking pics until I get it right lol Thanks in advance :)

I also use a speedlight SB600

Answer 1

dont use the flash - do use a tripod!

use 100iso F8 or F11 8-30 seconds, thats what i do and it seems to work - use slightly shorter expose times for digital

chrismas trees at night

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martini2005/2090135728/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martini2005/2065858332/

heres a nightscape

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martini2005/2043248094/

a

Answer 2

No flash. You'll need a tripod. Camera in Manual Mode because you're going to set everything. Shutter on "T" or "B" for long exposures. You also need a cable release so you can hold the shutter open.

CITY SKYLINE IN DISTANCE

ISO 100

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

ISO 200

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

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

ISO 100

f5.6 @ 2 seconds
f8 @ 4 seconds
f11 @ 8 seconds
f16 @ 15 seconds

ISO 200

f5.6 @ 1 second
f8 @ 2 seconds
f11 @ 4 seconds
f16 @ 8 seconds

From my FotoSharp (fotosharp.com) Day & Night Exposure Guide. You might want to consider buying one.

As you can easily see a high ISO is not required.

To experiment and/or fine-tune your exposures use the shutter speed. Never chenge more than one variable at a time.

Answer 3

The flash will not be much use in taking a picture of a skyscraper. You will need a tripod and some timed exposure. Play with the shutter speed until you see what you want, that is the beauty of digital! Use low ISO and a remote or cord to trip the shutter if possible to avoid shaking the camera. Or you can use the self-timer. "Night" images often look better and more vibrant when there is a bit of light left in the sky, at twilight or a few minutes after sundown. You might want to tweak the levels a little in Photoshop or other imaging program.

Answer 4

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c317/wtin/0c9c2751.jpg

Tripod is a must.

A cable release (I forgot mine, so I put it on a self-timer).

I put it on manual. Camera suggested 10 seconds exposure. I vetoed it to 1.5 seconds (at ISO 500).

So basically you should shoot in RAW mode and try a few different exposure to see what comes out right.

Hope this helps a little.

p.s. Flash? No flash is powerful enough to light something like this. Only a sun is, I think.

Answer 5

The SB-600 may not have enough power to illuminate what you want it to. Try this:

Set the flash to TTL BL and the camera's ISO to 3200.

Select Aperture Priority mode.

Set the lens aperture at its widest opening (smallest number) and take your shot.

If it's underexposed, you just don't have enough light.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

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