Tips for focussing at night?

<p>I don't know why I insist on taking photos at night with a lf camera, I must have some masochistic tendencies. Or I just don't like not being able to do something, so I plug away at it til I get it right.<br>

The only 'tricks' I've found so far is to carry several flashlights and set them up pointing at the camera wherever I need the subject to be in (or out of) focus. I can then work with these little points of light for framing and focus, but that's hardly ideal if I'm trying to control perspective, lines, etc.<br>

Please, if anyone has ever done this and has some wisdom to share, I would appreciate your posts.</p><div></div>

<p>Jody:<br>

<br />For landscapes you can set your focus during daylight hours and then shoot at night. But it looks like you're shooting more intimate shots. A couple of "tricks" I've used to make images like your graveyard shot are 1) set up during daylight hours when you can focus and set your movements, then wait until night to make your exposures. I realize this way you only get one or two sheets per night, but if the image is important enough, maybe one is sufficient. Or 2) I have two sets of dual halogen worklights I got at Home Depot, so I have four 500 watt lamps. I also have a portable AC power supply about the size of a portable stereo (like a "boom-box") to power the lamps remotely. I flood the areas I use for focus and tilts/shifts, set the camera, then shut the lights down and image. This allows more shots than one each night, but it does require a mule to haul it around (or in my case a pickup truck and an assistant if I can convince one of my kids to help out).<br>

You should also check out Beattie Intensiscreens--pricey, but you gain a couple of stops worth of light in the GG holder.<br>

Hope this gets the creative juices flowing...<br>

Brian</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Easy, laser pointer shining on subject of interest, focus the red dot sharply.</p>

<p>Holy crap! I thought I was getting carried away buying a bunch of LED flashlights at the dollar store! Home Depot!?! 500W floods? Hmmm.... If I have kids now, in 12 or 14 years they might be big and strong enough to carry all that!<br>

I guess what you're saying is, there are no short cuts here. I will definitely keep that in mind though, if I want to do something more elaborate. I've been doing this in some very public places, where I really can't just leave the camera in place for hours at a time. Plus, it was -10 when I took that graveyard shift (felt more like -40 at the end of the 40-minute exposure). I've had issues with frost building up on my lens, but I suppose I could just throw a blanket over the whole thing while it sits. </p>

<p>Can't afford the Beattie screens, I can barely afford film some days. But I'll look into replacing the glass with a newer one. It's cracked anyways, I need to change it. I don't know if there are any differences between the results for different methods of etching glass? I was going to try an emery cloth on an old piece of glass from a broken picture frame.</p>

<p>Erie, I tried the laser pointer, I just can't see it on my screen. I can barely see the flash lights, pointing right at the lens. I've got 'infinity' pretty nicely by focussing on distant street lights, then swiveling the camera back to what I'm framing. That's what I did for the graveyard shot above, I didn't want to disturb the snow by placing my flaslights all over.</p>

<p>put the flashlight in the scene pointing towards you and focus on it.</p>

<p>Hmmm...so you want to photograph in the extremest of circumstances, not spend any money (I fully understand--those Home Depot lights cost me $10/set; I can't afford <em>real </em> photographic lights), don't have pack mules/small assistants, and still achieve precision results? I love these kinds of challenges!</p>

<p>Have you though about using your car's head-lights to illuminate the scene while you focus and adjust?</p>

<p>You can also grind your own GG for real cheap--either by using grits or by using something called AcidEtch, which you can get at any Michael's craft store. There's a fair amount of resources on the web for grinding your own glass.</p>

<p>Don't get discouraged, you'll find the way that works for you best. Also, head on over to www dot largeformatphotography dot info, join the forums, which are free, and ask your questions there. You'll probably have more answers than you need!</p>

<p>Brian</p>

<p>Try something like a Coleman white gas or propane canister camping lantern. they put out a decent amount of light, I know because when I car camp, seems like the campers in the neighboring spots always have one ;). (Forget about those D-cell Led camping lanterns though, they suck for light output) here's a gas one: <a href="http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80399">http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80399</a></p>

<p>regards<br>

Tom</p>

<p>Set up in the daylight and wait for night to fall!</p>

<p>I just went and tried the laser in a room with lights off, I'm shocked at how well this works! but outside I could see it being a problem.</p>