Nightime photography

[size13]

This weekend is the annual 24 Hour sailing race at Southport.

I was going to try and take some "decent" pictures with my normal SLR camera. It's only a Sigma SA-5 so not top stuff, but I've got a crappy 300mm lens for it.

What types of film should I be using for all the different times of day? I'm not expecting to be as sunny as last year.

I'd rather leave the camera on auto if possible and it's only got a built in flash (I can't find an external one before the weekend)

To give you an idea of the scene, my pictures from last year - taken with point and shoot digital are here...

www.rcraig.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/24hour2003/index.htm

There won't be the fireworks this year though.

>>> Edited by size13 on Thursday 16th September 11:41

[simpo two]

size13 said:

What types of film should I be using for all the different times of day? I'm not expecting to be as sunny as last year. I'd rather leave the camera on auto if possible and it's only got a built in flash

I'd use Fuji Superia for colour prints, and Fuji Velvia for transparencies. Others may suggest other makes, but just avoid cheap film. Nearly all film is 'daylight' film, which is what you need. I wouldn't worry about the slight change in colour temperature as the day progresses; that's all part of the ambience IMHO. However if you take shots in tungsten light, you might consider the appropriate blue correction filter, or of course there's always PhotoShop autolevels!

The built-in flash is simply going to annoy the competitors. Useful to help fill-in shadows up to maybe 10 feet, after that forget it!

Auto is great but if you're shooting into the light you may like to figure out how to crank up the exposure by a stop or two to avoid subjects going black.

[size13]

What about ISO ratings - which will be best all-rounder? I don't really want to change film just cos the suns going down.

Ta

[simpo two]

size13 said:

What about ISO ratings - which will be best all-rounder? I don't really want to change film just cos the suns going down. Ta

400 ASA always worked well for me. 100/200 may have finer grain but the difference is not significant (IMHO) and you'll need the extra speed for your telephoto lens. In fact, depending on how big the results are going to be, you could consider 800 ASA if you're worried about low light performance.

[size13]

Thanks for your help Simpo, I'll post results if they come out!