Here's some notes relating to photographing night
scenes.
1. Use a tripod.
2. Use live view if your camera has this function and
zoom in to manually focus on you subject.
3. Use a slow shutter speed.
4. Use a low ISO.
5. Use a wide aperture i.e. f/5.6
6. Shoot in manual or bulb mode for exposures longer
then 30 seconds.
7. Use a remote shutter release.
8. Use mirror lock up function to reduce camera vibrations.
9. Start with an ISO of 800.
10. Aperture of f/6.7.
11. Expose for between 30-40 seconds.
12. Review your image in playback, check your histogram
and adjust your exposure where necessary.
13. Weather, if windy weather conditions you my want to
keep your shutter speed between 1-2 seconds because
vibrations, reduce your aperture from f/5.6-f/4.0 to increase
shutter speed.
14. Use a hot shoe bubble level, this will help keep your scene
level and will also indicate the amount of vibrations your
tripod is experiencing.