Canon Rebel XS night time shot help?

parkca01 · 08-05-2009, 08:04 AM

Alright, I'm rather embarrassingly bad at this

At the beach, full moon. Trying to get a shot of the moon & reflection on the water. I can align it perfectly and get the focus... But the photo refuses to capture. I have it on the "no flash dial setting" but it won't take. Can I turn the flash off manually for another setting? Any idea why it wouldn't take?

Thanks all. Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

Tried to look at the manual for help but apparently only the spanish version got packed for this trip, brilliant!

choudhrysaab · 08-05-2009, 08:07 AM

the only time when i know pressing the shutter button won't actually take the shot is when the camera can't really focus on anything and the lens keeps on trying to figure out a focus point. try to change the mode from AF to MF and then try.

other than that i'm not sure as to WHY you can't take the picture :-s

**inTempus** · 08-05-2009, 08:10 AM

Yup, as mentioned in AF mode if you're focus point is over a pitch black subject the camera won't be able to focus. This is true of all digital cameras. The camera focuses based on contrast. It has to have two different colors at a minimum that are distinguishable before it can lock focus.

Switch to manual mode and focus the shot. Then it will fire.

parkca01 · 08-05-2009, 11:55 AM

Thanks to both of you.

I'm not trying to use a flash at all. I put it on the no flash setting, and through the viewfinder (I think that's the word) I can perfectly focus both the moon and the ocean below with its reflection, but the camera refuses to capture the picture. I managed to get one copy but it's very blurry... I will see if I can upload it. I'll try again tonight, thanks.

max3k · 08-05-2009, 12:57 PM

turn off the AF on the lense. That should solve your problem

FDSA · 08-05-2009, 05:10 PM

would one more person telling you to switch to MF help?

also turning the focus ring clockwise (from the front) will focus to infinity, i know its kind of hard to focus in the dark

fiveoboy01 · 08-05-2009, 06:01 PM

I'm not familliar with Canon but does it have a focus mode like Nikon's AF-C where it continuously focuses such as for a moving subject? If that's the case then you might be able to focus on the moon but as soon as the focus point is on something with no contrast, it will hunt.... If you're in an "AF-S" focus mode where the camera focuses and holds that focus as long as the shutter button remains half pressed down, you should be able to lock focus on the moon then recompose and finish the shot.

Or as has been mentioned, manual focus

choudhrysaab · 08-05-2009, 06:15 PM

we have One Shot, AI Focus, and AI Servo.

AI Servo is selected for "continously moving" objects.

max3k · 08-05-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by FDSA

would one more person telling you to switch to MF help?

also turning the focus ring clockwise (from the front) will focus to infinity, i know its kind of hard to focus in the dark

turn off the AF, that should help

Annamas · 08-05-2009, 06:22 PM

Couple of things.

I'm not familiar with shooting in programmed modes with my Canon. I'd recommend switching to Manual focus, I'd take a look at learning to shoot in manual.

Second, like it's been mentioned switch to MF, and focus to Infinity.

Third, make sure your using a tripod. A night shot is going to keep your shutter open longer, at least one second. In that one second any tremor is going to result in a blurry picture. So pick up a tripod, or set your camera down on something stable. Switch to "timer" feature if you don't have a remote trigger.

Hope that helps some.

fiveoboy01 · 08-05-2009, 06:26 PM

A shutter speed of one second may very well result in the moon itself being WAY overexposed and likely blown out, depending on the aperture.

choudhrysaab · 08-05-2009, 06:30 PM

i once shot a skyline with shutter speed of 30 seconds. i never knew 30 seconds can last SO long

choudhrysaab · 08-05-2009, 06:31 PM

that skyline is in shown in my sig

fiveoboy01 · 08-05-2009, 06:33 PM

Here is some good reading on moon picture techniques:

Moon Photography

**UUilliam** · 08-05-2009, 06:35 PM

Dont use auto mode, switch to AV, You wont ghet your flash popping up if you use that...

also even if you did use flash it would have no effect, so it wont matter...

08-05-2009, 08:04 AM	#1
parkca01 TPF Noob! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Canon Rebel XS night time shot help? Alright, I'm rather embarrassingly bad at this At the beach, full moon. Trying to get a shot of the moon & reflection on the water. I can align it perfectly and get the focus... But the photo refuses to capture. I have it on the "no flash dial setting" but it won't take. Can I turn the flash off manually for another setting? Any idea why it wouldn't take? Thanks all. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. Tried to look at the manual for help but apparently only the spanish version got packed for this trip, brilliant!

08-05-2009, 08:07 AM	#2
choudhrysaab I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada Posts: 640 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts My Gallery: (5)	the only time when i know pressing the shutter button won't actually take the shot is when the camera can't really focus on anything and the lens keeps on trying to figure out a focus point. try to change the mode from AF to MF and then try. other than that i'm not sure as to WHY you can't take the picture :-s __________________ Canon XSi body Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens & 50mm f/1.8 II lens Sigma 55-200mm f/4-5.6 lens Hoya UV filter Giotto's VT 809 tripod LowePro Rezo 190 AW bag http://choudhrysaab.smugmug.com/ My SmugMug Profile If you haven't then please make your way to http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/g...reference.html and have your say.

08-05-2009, 08:10 AM	#3
inTempus Aut Concilio Aut Ense Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,396 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 104 Times in 91 Posts My Gallery: (10)	Yup, as mentioned in AF mode if you're focus point is over a pitch black subject the camera won't be able to focus. This is true of all digital cameras. The camera focuses based on contrast. It has to have two different colors at a minimum that are distinguishable before it can lock focus. Switch to manual mode and focus the shot. Then it will fire. __________________ Model Mayhem \| flickr \| Digital Diffraction Blog

08-05-2009, 12:57 PM	#5
max3k Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 201 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	turn off the AF on the lense. That should solve your problem __________________ Canon Rebel XS 18-55mm Kit Lens 75-300 4-5.6 50mm 1.8 Gripped

08-05-2009, 06:01 PM	#7
fiveoboy01 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Waunakee, WI Posts: 665 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts My Gallery: (0)	I'm not familliar with Canon but does it have a focus mode like Nikon's AF-C where it continuously focuses such as for a moving subject? If that's the case then you might be able to focus on the moon but as soon as the focus point is on something with no contrast, it will hunt.... If you're in an "AF-S" focus mode where the camera focuses and holds that focus as long as the shutter button remains half pressed down, you should be able to lock focus on the moon then recompose and finish the shot. Or as has been mentioned, manual focus __________________ Bill Nikon D300 / 18-55 VR / 70-300 VR / 50mm 1.4G / 35mm 1.8G / SB-900 / CYBERSYNCS MY SMUGMUG D300s>D700

08-05-2009, 11:55 AM	#4
parkca01 TPF Noob! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 2 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thanks to both of you. I'm not trying to use a flash at all. I put it on the no flash setting, and through the viewfinder (I think that's the word) I can perfectly focus both the moon and the ocean below with its reflection, but the camera refuses to capture the picture. I managed to get one copy but it's very blurry... I will see if I can upload it. I'll try again tonight, thanks.

08-05-2009, 05:10 PM	#6
FDSA No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 80 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	would one more person telling you to switch to MF help? also turning the focus ring clockwise (from the front) will focus to infinity, i know its kind of hard to focus in the dark

08-05-2009, 06:15 PM	#8
choudhrysaab I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada Posts: 640 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts My Gallery: (5)	we have One Shot, AI Focus, and AI Servo. AI Servo is selected for "continously moving" objects. __________________ Canon XSi body Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens & 50mm f/1.8 II lens Sigma 55-200mm f/4-5.6 lens Hoya UV filter Giotto's VT 809 tripod LowePro Rezo 190 AW bag http://choudhrysaab.smugmug.com/ My SmugMug Profile If you haven't then please make your way to http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/g...reference.html and have your say.

08-05-2009, 06:18 PM	#9
max3k Been spending a lot of time on here! Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 201 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by FDSA would one more person telling you to switch to MF help? also turning the focus ring clockwise (from the front) will focus to infinity, i know its kind of hard to focus in the dark turn off the AF, that should help __________________ Canon Rebel XS 18-55mm Kit Lens 75-300 4-5.6 50mm 1.8 Gripped

08-05-2009, 06:22 PM	#10
Annamas No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario Posts: 75 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Couple of things. I'm not familiar with shooting in programmed modes with my Canon. I'd recommend switching to Manual focus, I'd take a look at learning to shoot in manual. Second, like it's been mentioned switch to MF, and focus to Infinity. Third, make sure your using a tripod. A night shot is going to keep your shutter open longer, at least one second. In that one second any tremor is going to result in a blurry picture. So pick up a tripod, or set your camera down on something stable. Switch to "timer" feature if you don't have a remote trigger. Hope that helps some. __________________ ~~~ Canon 30D / 18-55mm EF-S / 100-300mm EF / 70-200mm 4.0L http://www.flickr.com/photos/annamas/

08-05-2009, 06:26 PM	#11
fiveoboy01 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Waunakee, WI Posts: 665 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts My Gallery: (0)	A shutter speed of one second may very well result in the moon itself being WAY overexposed and likely blown out, depending on the aperture. __________________ Bill Nikon D300 / 18-55 VR / 70-300 VR / 50mm 1.4G / 35mm 1.8G / SB-900 / CYBERSYNCS MY SMUGMUG D300s>D700

08-05-2009, 06:30 PM	#12
choudhrysaab I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada Posts: 640 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts My Gallery: (5)	i once shot a skyline with shutter speed of 30 seconds. i never knew 30 seconds can last SO long __________________ Canon XSi body Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens & 50mm f/1.8 II lens Sigma 55-200mm f/4-5.6 lens Hoya UV filter Giotto's VT 809 tripod LowePro Rezo 190 AW bag http://choudhrysaab.smugmug.com/ My SmugMug Profile If you haven't then please make your way to http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/g...reference.html and have your say.

08-05-2009, 06:31 PM	#13
choudhrysaab I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario. Canada Posts: 640 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts My Gallery: (5)	that skyline is in shown in my sig __________________ Canon XSi body Canon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens & 50mm f/1.8 II lens Sigma 55-200mm f/4-5.6 lens Hoya UV filter Giotto's VT 809 tripod LowePro Rezo 190 AW bag http://choudhrysaab.smugmug.com/ My SmugMug Profile If you haven't then please make your way to http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/g...reference.html and have your say.

08-05-2009, 06:33 PM	#14
fiveoboy01 I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Waunakee, WI Posts: 665 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Here is some good reading on moon picture techniques: Moon Photography __________________ Bill Nikon D300 / 18-55 VR / 70-300 VR / 50mm 1.4G / 35mm 1.8G / SB-900 / CYBERSYNCS MY SMUGMUG D300s>D700

08-05-2009, 06:35 PM	#15
UUilliam Photography student Join Date: May 2009 Location: Glasgow Posts: 1,104 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Dont use auto mode, switch to AV, You wont ghet your flash popping up if you use that... also even if you did use flash it would have no effect, so it wont matter... __________________ W I L L I A M Recuva - Lost files? get them back easily and for free! I agree to the Pact Request a tutorial (provide your image too.) Don't take all my advice as hard fact, you should do a little further research on what I say before accepting it as I am still learning myself therefore I may give wrong or bad advice but I do my best to give what I have picked up so far. Gear\|Canon 450D\|18-55mm f3.5-5.6\|75-300mm USM f4.5-5.6\|50mm II f1.8\|Opteka 500-1000mm mirror\| Accessories\|Manfrotto 680B Monopod\|484RC2 Ball head\|EOS 450D camera armor\|16gb + 8gb SDcard\|2x UV filter\|Macro filter\|Rocket blower\|3x mini tripods\|BG-E5 Battery grip + remote control\|Konig KN-Tripod35\|

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