1) Good night shots are difficult with any camera. There are many variables at each scene, and each one will take different strategies to deal with them. One way (and what some consider the best) is to get a "fast" lens, a lens with a low F number (2.8 and lower). The downside is these are expensive lenses. You can also bump up the ISO; but doing so with introduce digital "noise" into the picture. This may be a problem if you intend to print large paper prints. Many photo software programs have noise filters so there is a way to correct some of it afterwards. Using a longer shutter speed is also an option, and with the newer lenses they have vibration reduction (VR in the Nikon brand) so you can handhold the camera at slower speeds and not have blurry photos. Using a tripod or monopod also allows use to use a slower shutter speed. An external flash is better than the built in flash and will give good results.
2) There are commercial "rain hoods" you can buy but I have used a large zip-lock bag with a hole cut for the lens to protect in real wet conditions. The occasional rain or water spray shouldn't ruin the camera, just carry a soft cloth in your bag to wipe it down as soon as possible and be careful if you change lens/batteries. Cold will decrease the battery life, probably not enough for you to notice tho. If it's that cold you won't what to be out shooting for that long anyways. Just keep a spare battery in a pocket that has your body heat to warm it and you will be fine. The bigger problem is coming into a warm area from outside and getting condensation in the camera/lens. Just keep the camera in the camera bag till it warms up to the inside temperature. Some people place the camera in a large plastic bag to do this.
You can also rent cameras and lens at borrowlenses for a reasonable amount to try them out.
Hope I helped out.
2) There are commercial "rain hoods" you can buy but I have used a large zip-lock bag with a hole cut for the lens to protect in real wet conditions. The occasional rain or water spray shouldn't ruin the camera, just carry a soft cloth in your bag to wipe it down as soon as possible and be careful if you change lens/batteries. Cold will decrease the battery life, probably not enough for you to notice tho. If it's that cold you won't what to be out shooting for that long anyways. Just keep a spare battery in a pocket that has your body heat to warm it and you will be fine. The bigger problem is coming into a warm area from outside and getting condensation in the camera/lens. Just keep the camera in the camera bag till it warms up to the inside temperature. Some people place the camera in a large plastic bag to do this.
You can also rent cameras and lens at borrowlenses for a reasonable amount to try them out.
Hope I helped out.
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