Night Shot on Kodak Z710

[tommo]

I have got a Kodak easyshare Z710 and am a complete novice. I am very pleased with the pictures except taking night shots which turn out very dark.

Reading the reviews the camera has night shot and is highly recommended. I have found out how to get this setting but photo's are still dark. There is an option to use manual settings but haven't a clue what to set these to.

Remember I am novice so any replies please take this into account and try and keep it simple.

Thanks Tommo

[buildersmate]

One wonders what you are trying to shoot at night. Do you appreciate that any flash unit has a range - perhaps around 5 metres in your case. So anything further away in the background is bound to be dark.

[Teddio]

Use a long exposure of several seconds. The camera must be held steady so use a tripod.

[rccatnap]

The advice on steadying the camera for a night shot is spot on as the exposures can be many seconds. If you use a tripod, make sure it's a good solid one. Those on lightweight aluminium telescopic stalks for legs are virtually useless at night.
Have you downloaded the full on-line manual for this camera? http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/publica tions/urg00576toc.jhtml
The one supplied with the camera is pretty basic.
The on-line one has much more info, plus links to forums for people who have sorted many of the tasks that you want to know about. Good luck.

[rccatnap]

Here's an example:
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?p q-path=9374/7269&pq-locale=en_US

[tommo]

Thank you for all your replies, especially the full online manual which I have now bookmarked.

Thanks again.