mz3 @ night (1meg pic) 56k = no

File size: 1022045 bytes
File date: 2006:12:29 03:20:20
Camera make: Canon
Camera model: Canon PowerShot Pro1
Date/Time: 2006:12:28 17:35:10
Resolution: 1280 x 960
Flash used: No
Focal length: 7.2mm (35mm equivalent: 75mm)
CCD width: 3.46mm
Exposure time: 10.000 s
Aperture: f/8.0
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure Mode: Auto bracketing

8mp digital camera.
Canon Powershot Pro1.


Thanks for the suggestions man When it gets warmer, I'll give finding a better location a try.

Another way to control the star effect that you are seeing in the picture is to lower your ISO. I didn't see the ISO setting on your list of....settings but I'm willing to bet that a lower ISO would really help. Lower the ISO and up the shutter speed a bit and you should be good.

Also you can adjust you apature or f/stop. Setting smaller apertures will create and exaggerate the star-like radiating shafts of light that can appear to emanate from small points of light in a scene. These flares are actually caused buy the number of leaves that make up the diaphragm of the lens. An eight leave lens will produce an eight tipped star. So for sharp lights use the lowest f/stop like a 2-5. For more of a star look like what you have above use a f/16 or higher. Lastly make sure you are not using any UV filters at night. The light passing between the UV glass and the lens glass will create unwanted reflections. Just my .02 cents of over doing it/rambling while tipsy on the 31st when it comes to night shots. haha.

~Saint

Well remember that your Exposure settings wont have as much affect of the flares as your apature will.
Oh and as for pics of my car with the camera....there are some floating around the forums. Here is a macro I did today with a little lens trick I learned.

Here is a somewhat close up of a lighter. No touch-ups done.

Here is even closer.


~Saint