How to focus in extreme low lighting?

[bobaab]

For example of a situation: shots during the night away from a city when light pollution isn't putting a spotlight on us.

It's sometimes very hard to see, and even harder to see through a viewfinder. What are some techniques you guys use to focus in really low lighting when AF isn't exactly working?

 

[crawdaddio]

It depends on what you are shooting. A flashlight could work on near subjects.

 

[BadRotation]

A simple laser pointer does the job wonderfully.


Will lock on extremely quick, and even quicker if you have one with a grid pattern.


Just shine it on what you want to focus on. :thumbup:

 

[bobaab]

A simple laser pointer does the job wonderfully.


Will lock on extremely quick, and even quicker if you have one with a grid pattern.


Just shine it on what you want to focus on. :thumbup:

that's a great idea! I'm gonna steal that now thanks

 

[ksmattfish]

A lens with a DOF scale is a wonderful thing. It seems to me that with today's computerized cameras they could include a DOF calculator in the software, and show the focus point and DOF in one of the displays.

 

[Rob]

For example of a situation: shots during the night away from a city when light pollution isn't putting a spotlight on us.

It's sometimes very hard to see, and even harder to see through a viewfinder. What are some techniques you guys use to focus in really low lighting when AF isn't exactly working?

Set aperture at f11 - f22, turn the focus manually to infinity and nudge it back a bit. Well, that's always worked for me!

Rob

 

[keller]

I dont get the AF thing. Why can't it lock onto certain objects? If it emits an IR beam, doesn't that beam just bounce back from the object it aims at?

 

[Torus34]

Low light is rangefinder country.

 

[clarinetJWD]

I dont get the AF thing. Why can't it lock onto certain objects? If it emits an IR beam, doesn't that beam just bounce back from the object it aims at?

:hertz: I've never heard of that...My D70 has a white AF assist bulb. If it could be done with invisiable light, I think it would be, but the Canon cameras especially (like the one in question here) are not very IR sensitive, and I can't see how that would do anything...

 

[thebeginning]

A lens with a DOF scale is a wonderful thing. It seems to me that with today's computerized cameras they could include a DOF calculator in the software, and show the focus point and DOF in one of the displays.

i thought the same thing. i've used that method before, it works well as long as you have enough light to work with and a relatively small aperture.

a flashlight also does it for me.

 

[JonathanM]

Wide angle lens, small aperture. If its that dark that you can't see through the viewfinder then surely illuminate your centre of focus with a torch beam, and use manula focus if the AF can't hack it?