Night shots with W1 or W5

cciRRus · 5th June 2005

Hi there!

Can anyone share with me your favourite night shots taken with your W1 or W5? Please state the settings on your camera as well.

I wanna take shots of scenary in the night time where the light sources to not appear as glowing blobs with shimmering auras. Instead, I want them to appear with a "starry" effect.

It has to do with the aperture setting as I've heard from my friends. However, I tried using all the way till f10 and still, couldn't achieve the desired result. Fyi, I used "M" mode, with shutter speeds ranging from 5 to 30 seconds, at ISO 100.

Thank you!

limkopi · 6th June 2005

If u wanna achieve the "starry" effect in ur night shots with W1/W5, u'll need to use a Star-6 or Star-8 filter. Don't think it's possible to get that kind of effect with W1/W5's limited aperture settings.

cciRRus · 6th June 2005

Originally Posted by limkopi

If u wanna achieve the "starry" effect in ur night shots with W1/W5, u'll need to use a Star-6 or Star-8 filter. Don't think it's possible to get that kind of effect with W1/W5's limited aperture settings.

I don't mean the "starry" effect achieved through the use of "star filters". I mean the starry effect like this:

The lamps' glow are star shaped.

This is what I'm currently getting:

The lightsources appear to be glowing with a round aura.

The round aura makes the lightsouce less realistic and it is possible to remove this without the use of filters. I've seen night shots taken without the glowing aura taken from Canon digital cameras, without the use of any filters. And I was told that the key to this was to adjust the aperture setting.

limkopi · 6th June 2005

YES, it is indeed possible to achieve the "starry" effect by adjusting aperture settings, but I think it's not possible on W1/W5. Like I've said earlier, it's due to the limitations of W1/W5 in its aperture settings. I'm not sure which range of Canon digicams u're talking abt (P&S? Prosumer? dSLR?), but to my knowledge, most compact point-&-shoots don't have aperture settings that can go small enough to achieve that effect.

afbug · 6th June 2005

This is my most recent pic. Taken at HKG. No tripod thats why there too much sea in the pic. No really at night. At about 7pm. Original pic, no PS done. P mode, ISO 100, F/3.2, Exposure 1/8

If you want starry effect, use a star-cross filter with a suitable adapter for your W5.

This one has a bit of starry effect. But i forgot the settings. It is in my labtop.

cciRRus · 6th June 2005

Thanks for the pix, but it seems that the starry effect is still absent

Let me rephrase myself a little. I am not desperate to see starry effect, so I won't go for the star filter. I just want the light sources to appear "normal" to me. Right now they all look like orbs in fantasy flicks, so artificial! When my eyes look at light sources in the dark, they appear to me without the glowing aura effect. (C'mon, try it ) I want this effect in my photos as well.

If it really cannot be accomplished on my W5, then I shall just forget it. I just thought that my settings may be wrong.

icarus · 6th June 2005

To get the 'star' effects on street lamps, just step down aperture to f8 or smaller...

Sony DSC-F707, f8, 7 seconds, ISO100.

cciRRus · 7th June 2005

Spot on! That's exactly what my friend told me, use aperture f8 and that will be enough to do it, no need any extra filters. I'll try again soon, at Esplanade and Mount Faber.

snowspeeder · 7th June 2005

And on the 828, there will be 14 blades visible.

initialE24 · 7th June 2005

Originally Posted by snowspeeder

And on the 828, there will be 14 blades visible.

wat do u mean?

snowspeeder · 7th June 2005

Originally Posted by initialE24

wat do u mean?

It has to do with the 828 lens that gives rise to more 'blades' on star-effect images.

Del_CtrlnoAlt · 7th June 2005

u try using F828, den shoot long exposure with F8, u will see super nice 'star'

initialE24 · 7th June 2005

Originally Posted by Del_CtrlnoAlt

u try using F828, den shoot long exposure with F8, u will see super nice 'star'

I see .......

Fumio · 7th June 2005

Check out
http://cereal74.myphotoalbum.com/vie...16&id=IMG_1958

Photo was taken with no special filters by my friend.

File size: 431011 bytes
File date: 2005:06:01 11:35:27
Camera make: Canon
Camera model: Canon PowerShot A95
Date/Time: 2005:06:01 21:36:44
Resolution: 800 x 600
Flash used: No
Focal length: 7.8mm (35mm equivalent: 127mm)
CCD width: 2.22mm
Exposure time: 15.000 s
Aperture: f/8.0
Metering Mode: center weight
Jpeg process: Baseline

cciRRus · 7th June 2005

Thanks Fumio. You clearly proved my point that a typical Canon P&S camera with aperture f8 can achieve the starry effect; no need special filters, no need super-powerful-thousand-dollar cameras. I'll take note of the other settings when I go to the same place for night shooting

Fumio · 7th June 2005

actually i am thinking of getting a Canon A95 or a Sony W5. So, is W5 good to use? Have u tried to compare it with A95?

cciRRus · 8th June 2005

Other than this star-problem, W5 thrashes A95 in virtually all aspects. The BIG LCD is a huge plus. Take a look at the A95 and you'll suddenly feel claustrophobic. You should read the reviews available on the Net.

cciRRus · 12th September 2005

Just an update: My aunty bought a Canon Powershot A520 (4MP) and I've tried to take shots of light sources. To my surprise, the camera is able to capture a light source without the glowing aura, but with a nice 6 prong star. The light looked very clear and realistic. Then, I tried to take the same light source with my W5 with the same settings as the A520, and the light appeared as a glowing orb. It was very unnatural.

Hopefully I can use it to take some night shots and do a proper comparison.

I wonder why the A520 can do that while the W5 can't.

miko · 13th September 2005

Originally Posted by cciRRus

Spot on! That's exactly what my friend told me, use aperture f8 and that will be enough to do it, no need any extra filters. I'll try again soon, at Esplanade and Mount Faber.

But Icarus used SOny DSC F707 not W-series. W-series aperture only f5.6..

cciRRus · 14th September 2005

Originally Posted by miko

But Icarus used SOny DSC F707 not W-series. W-series aperture only f5.6..

Yes I am aware that Icarus' camera is not one of the W-series. Apparently, the specifications of my W5 claims to have aperatures ranging from f2.8 to f10.0. So, I tried to replicate Icarus' result by using an aperture of f8.0, but unfortunately, I didn't get the desired result.

Furthermore, the other PnS camera I've tried, Canon A520, can achieve the desired effect at aperture f8.0 (max).

5th June 2005	#1
cciRRus New Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 35	Night shots with W1 or W5 Hi there! Can anyone share with me your favourite night shots taken with your W1 or W5? Please state the settings on your camera as well. I wanna take shots of scenary in the night time where the light sources to not appear as glowing blobs with shimmering auras. Instead, I want them to appear with a "starry" effect. It has to do with the aperture setting as I've heard from my friends. However, I tried using all the way till f10 and still, couldn't achieve the desired result. Fyi, I used "M" mode, with shutter speeds ranging from 5 to 30 seconds, at ISO 100. Thank you!

6th June 2005	#2
limkopi Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 416	If u wanna achieve the "starry" effect in ur night shots with W1/W5, u'll need to use a Star-6 or Star-8 filter. Don't think it's possible to get that kind of effect with W1/W5's limited aperture settings. __________________ ~ 迷失的我仍在努力寻找属于自己的蓝天 ~

6th June 2005	#4
limkopi Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 416	YES, it is indeed possible to achieve the "starry" effect by adjusting aperture settings, but I think it's not possible on W1/W5. Like I've said earlier, it's due to the limitations of W1/W5 in its aperture settings. I'm not sure which range of Canon digicams u're talking abt (P&S? Prosumer? dSLR?), but to my knowledge, most compact point-&-shoots don't have aperture settings that can go small enough to achieve that effect. __________________ ~ 迷失的我仍在努力寻找属于自己的蓝天 ~

6th June 2005	#5
afbug Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Planet SG™ Posts: 487	This is my most recent pic. Taken at HKG. No tripod thats why there too much sea in the pic. No really at night. At about 7pm. Original pic, no PS done. P mode, ISO 100, F/3.2, Exposure 1/8 If you want starry effect, use a star-cross filter with a suitable adapter for your W5. This one has a bit of starry effect. But i forgot the settings. It is in my labtop. __________________ Manchester United = :devil: Last edited by afbug; 6th June 2005 at 09:24 PM.

6th June 2005	#7
icarus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pasir Ris Posts: 3,231	To get the 'star' effects on street lamps, just step down aperture to f8 or smaller... Sony DSC-F707, f8, 7 seconds, ISO100. __________________ Ricoh GR Digital, Minolta Hi-matic 7SII

7th June 2005	#8
cciRRus New Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 35	Spot on! That's exactly what my friend told me, use aperture f8 and that will be enough to do it, no need any extra filters. I'll try again soon, at Esplanade and Mount Faber.

7th June 2005	#9
snowspeeder Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 35A East Coast Rd Posts: 3,436	And on the 828, there will be 14 blades visible.

7th June 2005	#12
Del_CtrlnoAlt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Outside the Dry Box. Posts: 16,342	u try using F828, den shoot long exposure with F8, u will see super nice 'star' __________________ Logging Off Permanently. Those who need to contact me will know where to contact me.

7th June 2005	#14
Fumio Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bishan Posts: 331	Check out http://cereal74.myphotoalbum.com/vie...16&id=IMG_1958 Photo was taken with no special filters by my friend. File size: 431011 bytes File date: 2005:06:01 11:35:27 Camera make: Canon Camera model: Canon PowerShot A95 Date/Time: 2005:06:01 21:36:44 Resolution: 800 x 600 Flash used: No Focal length: 7.8mm (35mm equivalent: 127mm) CCD width: 2.22mm Exposure time: 15.000 s Aperture: f/8.0 Metering Mode: center weight Jpeg process: Baseline Last edited by Fumio; 7th June 2005 at 08:25 PM.

8th June 2005	#17
cciRRus New Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 35	Other than this star-problem, W5 thrashes A95 in virtually all aspects. The BIG LCD is a huge plus. Take a look at the A95 and you'll suddenly feel claustrophobic. You should read the reviews available on the Net.

12th September 2005	#18
cciRRus New Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 35	Re: Night shots with W1 or W5 Just an update: My aunty bought a Canon Powershot A520 (4MP) and I've tried to take shots of light sources. To my surprise, the camera is able to capture a light source without the glowing aura, but with a nice 6 prong star. The light looked very clear and realistic. Then, I tried to take the same light source with my W5 with the same settings as the A520, and the light appeared as a glowing orb. It was very unnatural. Hopefully I can use it to take some night shots and do a proper comparison. I wonder why the A520 can do that while the W5 can't.