Need help on how to take pictures of cars at night

B

bnsf

New member
Hello everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone can give me some tips on how to set it up. I want to capture the cars with light on with street light on. What do you set for iso, f stop and speed? I'm using 35mm 1.8. I have tried different setting but I either got the car or light right but not both. If anyone has some samples or links to share that would be great.

Many thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Iso, f-stops and shutter speed all depends on how much light there is available. I guess you'll have to go with trial and error. Take the shot then have a look at your image and from there you can open or close the f-stop, or increase iso, depending on the effect you're after.

It would be pitching in the dark to tell you of any settings without being there and measuring the light.
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
bnsf said:
Hello everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone can give me some tips on how to set it up. I want to capture the cars with light on with street light on. What do you set for iso, f stop and speed? I'm using 35mm 1.8. I have tried different setting but I either got the car or light right but not both. If anyone has some samples or links to share that would be great.

Many thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Google this: auto photography at night
 
E

Eye-level

Banned
Start at 2.8 at 125 and ISO 800...pitching in the dark is fun! Don't go wide open raise the ISO instead...heck if you can close it down to 5.6 or 8 and 60 that way you get some DOF...if the cars are moving you are more limited with what you can do.
 
Last edited:
skyferno

skyferno

New member
My settings for cars is always F10 to get whole car in focus. and the shutter speed can be anything if used on the tripod. ISO can be at 100 if on tripod. I guess i shoot cars on a tripod haha. Treat it like landscape.
 
J

jinu89525

Senior Member
These were taken with my D90 + 35mm 1.8 on a tripod.
I know my shots aren't perfect but you get the idea :)


ISO-200
Shutter - 1.6sec
f10

8243116387_c1b33a80d2_b.jpg








ISO-200
Shutter -1.6sec
f6.3

8221988246_013e3a2959_b.jpg
 
E

eurotrash

Senior Member
Basically, You'll want to use a long shutter speed, even with a faster lens. I usually use a medium aperture (5-8, somewhere in that range) and sometimes make use of bee lights. Sometimes I use my off camera flash and a few reflectors and umbrellas. It's all a huge experiment, really. Love my 16-85 for night photography to be honest. I know not many would agree, but when using a tripod and slow shutter speeds, IQ trumps having a faster lens.
 
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