Rebel XTi and Taking pictures at night

[rupert]

Hi, does anyone have experience taking pictures at night with a Rebel XTi ?

For example, pictures of the moon, night sky, etc.

Whenever I try to do this (with/without tripod) , the green led display inside the viewfinder just keeps blinking. No matter what settings I set, it refuses to take a picture.

What do I need to set to get it to even take a picture? At this point I dont even care if they come out blurry.

thanks!

[kiz5]

Have you switched to manual focus, and adjusted the focus yourself?

I don't know how basic the Rebels are, but I have to imagine you can switch to MF.

[adblink182]

green light means it can't focus. You sure the lens cap is off? (:D lol jk!)

what mode are you shooting in?

a good tripod, a remote and mirror lockup are essential to getting great night time shots. Also, unless you have some pretty impressive glass (lenses) you probably won't get a good shot of the moon, usually you need something fairly long like 300mm plus.

[bpopd]

Firstly and foremost, use "M" mode. If the camera doesn't AF, set it to Manual mode and DIY.

At night you wont be stable without a tripod. Set your camera to "Mirror up". Use Tungsten White balance. Set your camera to delayed shutter release, or if you have a wireless remote, use that.. make sure your ISO is at it's lowest value.

tada!

[vincent-poon]

its probably not able to focus with the AF mode. like others say, use MF and try to focus using the tiny viewfinder.
but dont stay out too long, cus its freezing cold, haha.

[adblink182]

shoot in raw so you don't have to sorry about setting the correct white balance.

odd tho, all the nighttime shots I took, never hard a problem achieving AF.

[Kasakato]

its probably not able to focus with the AF mode. like others say, use MF and try to focus using the tiny viewfinder.
but dont stay out too long, cus its freezing cold, haha.

Small VF? Please elaborate... Beats a P&S any day.

[Asad_A203]

Set your lens to MF or fire the flash assist to hopefully let the camera catch focus on something. If not have the object illuminated (cell phone, flash light, etc.) and see if AF can catch it then. Just manually focus :).

[vincent-poon]

Small VF? Please elaborate... Beats a P&S any day.

im just comparing the size of it to like, full frame viewfinders. I think i got used to seeing thru my D40, then when i looked thru the VF on the D3, it was so much bigger, cus i've never looked thru a full frame before.

indeed better than any compacts viewfinders any day

[rupert]

Thanks for suggestions, I will try to set to MF and try.

Yes the lense cap is off or I wouldnt be able to see anything out of the viewfinder :)

What is 'mirror up' ?

[Kasakato]

Thanks for suggestions, I will try to set to MF and try.

Yes the lense cap is off or I wouldnt be able to see anything out of the viewfinder :)

What is 'mirror up' ?

Raises the mirror before exposure, preventing mirror slap blur.

[adblink182]

u have 2 press the shutter twice after you turn it on

first to put the mirror up, second to take the photo

[yeedub]

XTi VF is kinda small and dim... the pentamirror doesnt help.

Small VF? Please elaborate... Beats a P&S any day.