I have a canon digital rebal and i need some help. Any ideas as to why most of my night shots are so grainy? Do I need a lens with a lower f-stop? I didn't really think that would matter on a timed exposure.

 

what iso are you shooting at? the higher the iso the more noise/grain you will have in the picture. as an alternative to using a higher iso, you can lower the iso and just make the shutter speed slower. also i dont know if the rebel has it, but the rebel xt has a custom function for long exposure noise reduction. also, you can get a program such as noise ninja to reduce the noise after the picture is already on the computer.

 

yeah the iso was at 1600 since it was so dark out. I'll drop the iso setting and make the shutter speed slower and see how that turns out. Thanks

 

Tripod + timer + lower ISO.

I suggested using a timer so the pic comes out sharp without any vibrations from your hand.

 

I agree with the suggestions above.

Tripod, slower shutter speed, lower ISO.

If you have a remote shutter release, use that.. if not, use the self timer, as InZpire recommended. This will stop vibrations from your hand pushing the shutter button.

I am not sure if the DRebel has this option (I know my 20D does), but if you can use "mirror lockup" when shooting like this. Look in your manual. It will further prevent vibrations from the slap of the mirror of the SLR moving when you release the shutter.

 

lol, thanks I know you're trying to help but if I was able to take that pic without a tripod i'd be the **** and I say that because that is a 300mm lens zoomed all the way in. I'm guessing it was just the iso that got me.

 

yeah I have a remote for the camera and I use it, the problem with the shot is the noise, there is no vibration. It was on a tripod and I used a remote for the shot. I just need a lens with a lower fstop and reduce my iso for the long timed exposures.

Thanks for the help

 

what lens? did you shoot it in manual or av mode? post up the exif info.

 

75-300mm lens, manual focus, Av mode.

 

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Yes, getting a lens with a larger aperture will let you lower your iso and keep the same shutter speed, but I don't think that's neccessarily the solution here (unless you are just trying to justify picking up some new glass, which we have all done).

I have some fast primes in my kit down to f1.4. When I shoot skyline shots, etc. I don't typically drop down that far, but that was my first instict too. Being at f1.4 would allow me to lower my iso and drop my shutter speed, but what I found was that light sources (in buildings, streetlights) became WAY too strong shooting that way. By setting youself up with a really sturdy rig, dropping your iso and running at f11 or so with a LONG exposure you don't blow out the lights and the overall exposure can remain the same.

The problem with the long exposures, as you know is camera shake from your rig. Using the remote release and mirror lockup (if available) will help. One of the biggest things I do is hang my camera bag with all of my unused equipment from my tripod while shooting. The extra weight will anchor the tripod and keep it from shaking or blowing in breezes.

Give this a shot, see if it helps.