Manual focus in near dark.

[Billy27]

I'm not sure if this is the right section for this question, but I didn't know where else to post it.

I like to do night time photography. But I have a problem with manual focusing when there is no direct light on the subject I want to shoot.

Here is a sample of what I usually end up with,



Although it makes a decent spooky shot, I really wanted to get the building in the background into focus.
The only light I usually have is what is being reflected by the moon or clouds or from some street light off in the distance.
Does anybody have any tips for me on how to get a good focus in the dark, or is it really just trial and error?

Thanks in advance.

[smc1377]

Use the distance scale on your lens. That's about your only recourse.

Another possibility is to focus using flash or IR assist beam, the turn OFF your autofocus and flash, then shoot. Your focus should already be locked into the correct focus.

[OsmosisStudios]

Im sorry, but I cant even make out whats in that picture.

[ptrbee]

I know it's an old post but ya never know who may need it right.

Landscapes either set to infinity + MF depending on the distance or use hyperfocal Hyperfocal distance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For people you can also get then to hold their mobile in their face while you focus lock.

[SwissJon]

Autofocus using a torch, that way you can see the object you're focussing on. Then switch the camera into manual.. I also use the distance scale if you have a rough idea of how far away things are... If you've got an iPhone there's a great little free app called "Simple DoF calculator" that does exactly that.. You put in the camera you use (so it knows the size of your sensor) the focal length, F stop and distance and it'll tell you the distance in front of and behind the subject your camera will focus as well as the hyperfocal distance.. In your circumstances I'd use the hyperfocal distance for setting the focus and make sure the subject was at least that far away.

Nice thing about that app is that you can sit at home and fiddle with it and see how hyperfocal length changes with focal length and f stop and decide how you'll set your camera up before you leave your nice warm house!

[tjc]

Yip... torch or the hyperfocal method should do the trick.