Shooting outdoors at night?

[aliceat41]

I've just been to a fireworks display trying to take photos of people watching. As I was constantly moving through the crowd I didn't take a tripod so I had to set to a high ISO to get the shortest possible shutter speed. Although there was some front lighting from the fireworks, it was otherwise pretty dark and I didn't want to use the flash. When I got home, most of the pics were blurred as I expected but the few I'd managed to get in focus are so grainy that they're not really any good. Is there another way I could have got better pictures? I only have a Nikon D40, if I'd had a better camera (I'm thinking of buying a D90 with VR lenses) would they have come out any better?

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

Look into acquiring a flashgun, and then try getting it off camera. That should help you get the pictures you want!

[aliceat41]

I try to take photos surreptitiously so a flash wouldn't really work for me. I suppose what I most want to know is whether a better camera would have got it better, I do only have the basic entry level. I would like to take more of these pics, it's great how joyful people look when they're watching fireworks! With bonfire night not far off, I'd like to get a better kit sorted out if this will help with low light levels? I can only stretch to a D90 at mo, is this likely to make much difference?

[Doug Sundseth]

Newer cameras generally do a better job of controlling noise at high ISOs. That said, the D90 is getting a bit long in the tooth now, so I'm not sure I'd recommend it at this time.

I could unreservedly recommend the D7000, but it's more money than the D90. With that camera, I can get quite usable images at ISO 6400 after noise reduction.

You might want to take a look at the D5100. It doesn't handle autofocusing with lenses that lack in-lens autofocus motors and the controls aren't as well designed as higher-end cameras, but it does have a very new sensor.

If you don't already have one, I'd recommend picking up either a 35mm f/1.8 or a 50mm f/1.8 (or faster) lens. The prices are right, the quality is very good, and they're quite fast.

[AbramG]

A faster lens should be your first priority. If you're using a kit lens then you're probably at a max of f/3.5

If you're going to invest in new gear, lenses will be of greater value to you. Having f/1.8, 1.4 or even f/1.2 available will allow you to shoot in MUCH lower light.

The 35 f/1.8 is a fantastic option for Nikon shooters. I'm a Canon shooter myself but I would definitely look into that first before you buy a new camera.