EOS 90D Nighttime handheld photography tips for M, Av, and Tv modes

[Ramsden]

Hi folks 

Two photos taken this morning in the North of England from my kitchen window. Sorry I resorted to the Hand Held Night setting partly to see what the auto setting gave me, and I was quite surprised. Im using EOS90D with an EF S 70-300 lens. Birds are about 100+ yds away.The photowith the birds in the tree top had an amazing ISO 12800 f/5.6 1/250 and birds in flight was a more reasonable ISO 4000 f/5.6 1/80.

So as Im trying to work mainly in M or Av and Tv, I wouldnt dream of ISO 12000++

So how could I approach this shot on M tomorrow morning.

Thanks as ever

Ramsden

 

 

 

[justadude]

With a 300mm lens on a crop sensor, that's like a 480mm lens... which you should have as a minimum 1/500 second shutter speed for hand held... even faster since it was low light.  The best thing to do would be to mount the camera on a tripod, still use the fast shutter speed, and try the 2 second delay as well. 

[Ramsden]

Thanks Gary

I should have added that the crows seem to be at ground level till dawn break and then they take flight en masse. There's probably about 70 birds and its quite spectacular. I'm not sure how the 2sec delay will help capture this mass take off. I waited 20 minutes for this shot this morning - and then missed half the birds because its like a small explosion.

Thanks 

Ramsden

[justadude]

Yeah, I kind of figured the delay might be a problem, but it didn't hurt to say it just in case they were in the frame for a couple of seconds.  Next best solution is still the tripod, make sure it's solid ground, and use a remote to trigger the camera.  That will help avoid vibrations from you touching the shutter button.  

I'm not familiar with the noise level on the 90D.  I owned the 80D for a few years.  Great camera, but it did have a lot of noise.  I know the noise reduction software in Lightroom is excellent, but it does take way from the sharpness if you use it heavy handed.  

[Ramsden]

Thanks Gary

I'm all set up for the morning - tripod and remote. Just did a couple of trial shots at 1/500 and I think it will work great.

Ramsden

[Ramsden]

Morning Gary

Poor weather this morning so couldn’t go outdoors, which was the plan. The Crows appeared dead on time, but not so many today. However, the camera setting worked fine. Tv 1/500 ISO auto went to 5000 and for this shot f4.0. Cloudy setting, one shot with multi shot option, and evaluation. 

[justadude]

Glad the settings worked.  They will do even better once it is not so cloudy since there will be more light.

Cloudy weather alone sounds nice.  Currently we have heavy snow falling, 4 degrees F and a wind chill of -10 F.  Needless to say, I'm not going outside this morning either.  🙂  

[Ramsden]

Hi Gary

Wow thats cold. We had snow here 15 days ago and its still lying in some shaded areas. But I suppose it is January.

Thanks for your help. Thats stretched my previous M thinking.

Ramsden