Pictures in the dark??

[MickeyMFan]

I have a question that has bugged me for some time now. I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT and any time I need to take a picture that is either in a darkened room or outside at night, I can't do it without the picture turning out either grainy or blurry. What am I doing wrong? At my high school reunion, all of my pictures turned out VERY noisy while others who had a different camera, say a Powershot or other small handheld, turned out perfectly clear. What can I do?

Thanks!
April

[ukcatfan]

The noise sounds like it is from high ISO. Blur is likely from too slow of a shutter speed. You need to get a little more familiar with your camera's features. Even with the not so great kit lens, it should do better than a Powershot model. If you post some examples, we might be able to see the specific settings that your camera picked and offer specific help.

You might want to pick up a book like Understanding Exposure to learn about what makes a good exposure.

Kevin

[Gdad]

I agree- can you post some examples?

[webshark3]

Yep really need to see samples with EXIF info...

No reason a Powershot would outperform a DSLR.

[Anewman]

Yep really need to see samples with EXIF info...

No reason a Powershot would outperform a DSLR.

There is one reason...

[bradk]

flash? (that's a general question here, not an answer/question to anewman's response)

[gruZ]

Were you using the camera in the green box (total auto) mode? If so, the camera defaulted to a higher ISO, which will lead to increased noise - especially when the image is underexposed.

Keeping a lower ISO by keeping the camera on a manual (or Av) setting will reduce the noise (assuming exposure is correct), but will also require a larger aperture (faster lens).

[Anewman]

Were you using the camera in the green box (total auto) mode? If so, the camera defaulted to a higher ISO, which will lead to increased noise - especially when the image is underexposed.



I dont own a Rebel, but have used them.

If I recall correctly in green box mode, the highest ISO a REBEL will use is 400(not very noisy).

[deletedpenguin]

DSLRs can go up to 3200 ISO, which helps alot with low light shooting. Just make sure you have a good noise filtering program.

[bradk]

i haven't experimented with it much, but in my experience (and i think this might have been more so with my fuji and not my canon), even in auto mode, the ISO the camera will use is limited regardless. it'll just hold the shutter open longer.

you also need to change a setting to even allow for 3200 (at least on the EOS 20D).

something tells me though that all these manual settings aren't why P&Ss are performing better. i have a feeling others were using a flash while OP wasn't.

[deletedpenguin]

You are correct, without changing the setting, it will only allow 1600.

[webshark3]

There is one reason...


Venues where "pro" equipment isn't allowed in the door. The Powershot would definitely outperform it there. :)

[webshark3]

You are correct, without changing the setting, it will only allow 1600.

But green AUTO will only allow ISO 400...

[ducklite]

Not sure if the Rebel XT can shoot RAW, but if it can, that would be the best choice. Shoot RAW and digitally enhance the photos after the fact.

Anne

[webshark3]

Not sure if the Rebel XT can shoot RAW, but if it can, that would be the best choice. Shoot RAW and digitally enhance the photos after the fact.

Anne


Yes, all Canon DSLRs can shoot RAW. You can push the exposure in post processing. I remember trying to get a usable shot in the Haunted Mansion. Think I pushed it to an equivalent of ISO 6400. Did not look pretty. :)

[Anewman]

No reason a Powershot would outperform a DSLR.

There is one reason...

Venues where "pro" equipment isn't allowed in the door. The Powershot would definitely outperform it there. :)

Actually I was thinking more along the lines of the "photographer".

IMO a PnS in the hands of a competent photographer will outperform a DSLR in the hands of a novice.

I am in no way implying that the OP is a novice, just not buying the assertion that "pro" equipment is what makes somebody a good photographer or not.

[jann1033]

don't know what your iso setting is but i've taken them up to iso 800 without a big problem( some noise there in shadowy areas). i would guess the blur is due to a slow shutter speed. i usually use a 50mm f1.8 lens indoors. sometimes i have noticed more noise in cold temps ( like last winter, after being outdoors for a while) but actually rebel xts are known for not having much noise. you can always run your photos through Noiseware ( community version is free)

[webshark3]

Actually I was thinking more along the lines of the "photographer".


<Insert hand smacking head icon> Of course! How could I have forgotten! You're totally right.

[MickeyMFan]

Sorry I haven't responded--I have been out of town. I am going to look up some of my info for my pictures. For some reason, I can't figure out how to show pics on here. I try putting in the [/img] and it just shows up as a link.

For my castle shot at night, the info is: 800 ISO, 1/6 sec, f/4.5, 40mm
For my snowy shot at night, the info is: 800 ISO, 1/30 sec, f/5.6, 64mm

No flash on either of these. I usually shoot on either Tv or P, just depending on what I am doing. I do understand that 1/6 sec is a little longer for handheld, but I wanted the colors of the castle to come right out. Should I have upped my f-stop? Any other suggestions? I do use PS Elements 4.0 to clean up my pictures and I don't shoot in RAW just because I like the fact that I can get 500 shots on my memory card. I will use 2 memory cards while on vacation! Thanks for all of your help!

[SharonLowe]

Sorry I haven't responded--I have been out of town. I am going to look up some of my info for my pictures. For some reason, I can't figure out how to show pics on here. I try putting in the [/img] and it just shows up as a link.

For my castle shot at night, the info is: 800 ISO, 1/6 sec, f/4.5, 40mm
For my snowy shot at night, the info is: 800 ISO, 1/30 sec, f/5.6, 64mm

No flash on either of these. I usually shoot on either Tv or P, just depending on what I am doing. I do understand that 1/6 sec is a little longer for handheld, but I wanted the colors of the castle to come right out. Should I have upped my f-stop? Any other suggestions? I do use PS Elements 4.0 to clean up my pictures and I don't shoot in RAW just because I like the fact that I can get 500 shots on my memory card. I will use 2 memory cards while on vacation! Thanks for all of your help!

you need to put url link for your photos to get photos to show up.

Both 1/6 sec and 1/30 second are too long to hand hold without an IS lens. You need a wider aperture to let in more light (if your lens goes wider), you need to up the ISO, both or use a tripod. RAW won't help with blur so doesn't matter in this case.

[jann1033]

Sorry I haven't responded--I have been out of town. I am going to look up some of my info for my pictures. For some reason, I can't figure out how to show pics on here. I try putting in the [/img] and it just shows up as a link.

For my castle shot at night, the info is: 800 ISO, 1/6 sec, f/4.5, 40mm
For my snowy shot at night, the info is: 800 ISO, 1/30 sec, f/5.6, 64mm

No flash on either of these. I usually shoot on either Tv or P, just depending on what I am doing. I do understand that 1/6 sec is a little longer for handheld, but I wanted the colors of the castle to come right out. Should I have upped my f-stop? Any other suggestions? I do use PS Elements 4.0 to clean up my pictures and I don't shoot in RAW just because I like the fact that I can get 500 shots on my memory card. I will use 2 memory cards while on vacation! Thanks for all of your help!

are your photos on someplace like photobucket? then you just copy the forum link and paste in the reply. also wonder what lens you are using? your iso is already 800 so anything higher you are going to get even more noise. you might need to invest in a lens with a wider aperture. however i still think it's odd p&s shots taken at the same time are better unless their cameras do a ton of noise reduction automatically. the rebel xt has under the custom funtions a setting or long exposure noise reduction on or off, you might want to try switching that on. ( under the last tool icon on the menu)

[webshark3]

Even without seeing the photos, I can tell you from experience. You're shutter speeds are pretty slow for handheld. Definately casue some blurring.

In low light, you really need to leave the "P" and go to "M". Chose a shutter speed,then find the other seeting you're comfortable with. I just can't trust my 300D to set the shutter speed in low light. It laways chooses something like 1/6 even at ISO 800+. I really want it to shoot at 1/60 at the SLOWEST (IMHO). I sometimes try 1/30 or 1/20 at wide angle, but I still see some motion blur (too much coffee).