Please help a newbie!!!

[DznyDreamz]

I have just recently acquired a Nikon D70 with an 18-70mm lens. We are going to a Holiday Lights Parade tonight and was hoping someone might be able to help me figure out what setting I need to use if I have any hope of getting any shots. Any guidance (keeping in mind I am a complete novice) would be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[DizneyNutz]

Unfortunatetly that lens only appears to have a wide aperature setting of 3.5. This is not generally wide enough for freezing movement in total darkness. Not sure how high your ISO goes, but only considering that lens, set your camera to aperature priority and wide open at 3.5, then set your ISO to 1600 or even try higher if you can go higher on your camera. Look at it this way, at least you will know if you would like to get a faster lens to capture the parades easier in the future trips. Forgot to metion, you will definately need a tripod and shutter release, or some form of support for the camera and manner of triggering without shaking it.

 

[DznyDreamz]

I'm probably not going to manage that new equipment for tonight!! Too bad. I do need to get the 50mm lens and like you say, it would be good practice for future Spectromagic parades. Maybe I can get some cool shots with trails or something!! Thanks for the help, greatly appreciated.

 

[DizneyNutz]

You may still get some decent shots. If you don't have a tripod, just use other type support, ie: trashcan, fence railing, etc. and hold as steady as possible. If something like the trashcan is available, you may use the timer function and set it for 2 sec. long enough to get you hands away. Try everything available to you, just don't give up. The camera has the capabilities you are wanting, but unfortunately that is just not the precise lens for the job.