How in the world do you focus in the dark?

10 years 5 months ago #312093 by Ben Howen
I just started taking photos at night and really wondering how others get sharp focused images at night. I found out really quick that autofocus doesn't like dark, so I'm in manual focus. But still I having a hard time. Live view is nearly worthless. Whats your technique?

Canon T3i, 18-55mm IS, 50mm, 55-250mm
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10 years 5 months ago #312143 by KCook

Canon 50D, Olympus PL2
kellycook.zenfolio.com/

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10 years 5 months ago #312163 by Alex
I'll use a flash light, but then again it depends on what you are shooting?

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10 years 5 months ago #312165 by garyrhook
:agree: What are you trying to do? The answer depends upon this.


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10 years 5 months ago #312205 by John Landolfi
If your subject is too far to use a flashlight to establish focus, the Hyperfocal focusing will give you the best chance at sharpness.


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10 years 5 months ago #312217 by Alex

John Landolfi wrote: If your subject is too far to use a flashlight to establish focus, the Hyperfocal focusing will give you the best chance at sharpness.



:goodpost:

Hows it going John? Getting out shooting this weekend?

Thank you for making PhotographyTalk.com your photography community of choice.
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10 years 5 months ago - 10 years 5 months ago #312437 by StephanieW
I usually have the same problem. I'm also terrible at manual focusing. The flashlight trick is something I've never done before though. :)


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10 years 5 months ago - 10 years 5 months ago #312449 by Joves
Yeah everyone has pretty much covered it. I have one of those cheap handheld spotlights for more range, but most of the time my flashlight is good to go. Also as John mentioned with hyperfocal focusing. Then there is the really old fashioned way, and that is using the lenses distance scale to achieve that. But that is not the distance from the front of the lens but from the image plane/sensor. Your camera body should have a mark on it designating where it is. It will be like this o.


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10 years 5 months ago #312481 by Don Fischer
I've done a little and flashlight was the way to go. My wife lit up the subject, I focused and then she turned off the flashlight. Never done it with auto focus though, that was years ago and a Nikon FG.


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10 years 5 months ago #312501 by John Landolfi

Alex wrote:

John Landolfi wrote: If your subject is too far to use a flashlight to establish focus, the Hyperfocal focusing will give you the best chance at sharpness.



:goodpost:

Hows it going John? Getting out shooting this weekend?


Can't. Getting new kitchen appliances installed. I sent you a PM. :cheers:


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10 years 5 months ago #312573 by Moe
I like to manual focus on any light in the distance that looks about the same distance.


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