questions about low light, no flash

[statenine]

So I am shooting my first wedding in a chapel that does not allow flash and does not allow me to move! I must stay at the back of the chapel. What would you suggest to get good shots? I will obviously be using my 70-200 2.8 IS. Should I use a tripod or monopod? I have not seen the place yet so I am not sure how much light it offers, but I will assume it will be dim as most are.

[sblais]

I would suggest that you boost your ISO as high as possible to get the exposure you want (there are good noise reduction tools out there if necessary! ;)). A monopod would be very useful IMHO. Tripods are just too cumbersome to bring at wedding. But with a decent shutter speed (e.g. 1/100) and for a given DOF (you compensate with ISO as necessary), it may be possible to shoot handheld as your IS gives you a few full f-stops of extra play.

IF you follow the rule of thumb (shutter speed = 1/focal length), at 200mm, you should have a shutter of 1/200 to shoot handheld. Given that you gain 2 fstops with your IS (or is it 3? Can't remember), 1/50 would be tolerable if your subjects are static. If they are moving, it is more advisable to go at 1/100 or faster and compensate with your ISO to avoid motion blur. So as you can see, it is possible to shoot handheld, but it may be limited by the DOF you want to achieve for a given shot.

To resume, a tripod is out of the question. A monopod would be very practical if you are used to shoot with one. It may be possible to shoot handheld if you choose a good shutter speed and use your IS, but this may be limited by the DOF you want to achieve.

[sblais]

Forgot to add that if you use a camera with a crop factor, some people say that you should include that in the rule of thumb for shooting handheld. Thus, shutter speed = 1/(focal length * crop factor). With a 1.6x crop, shooting at 200mm, you would need a shutter speed of 1/320. With your IS, that is reduced to 1/80. But again, it's a rule of thumb and you don't have to follow it. I just find that it helps getting a good start point.

[sblais]

Oh, and I just checked. The 70-200 f/2.8L gives you 3 stops of correction for camera shake (not 2 as I used in my previous posts). Even better - for camera shake... But that doesn't take care of motion blur which would very likely be the limiting factor! :)

[statenine]

Thanks for the tips SB! Would you guys recommend ISO 3200 or should I stay at 1600 and lower?

[Capt Rick]

I would have the tri-pod in the car!

[Lin-z]

You could set the tripod up in the back and take some long exposures.

[tim]

70-200 F2.8 IS is heavy, take a monopod or tripod. Use the ISO you need to get the shutter speed you want. I like to keep shutter at 1/50th or faster, the 1600/3200 is a hard call to make, you'll have to see how things go on the day.

[GCRollo]

You could set the tripod up in the back and take some long exposures.

Thats great if it's a still.. but motion blur will be an issue.
IS stops his motion, not the subject.

[sjprg]

the ratio 1/focal length is a division, therefore 1/200 = 50.

[gcobb]

When I was doing a lot of weddings, I asked a lot of questions and always showed up during rehearsal to make sure I knew what I had to work with. I've also had people tell me the church didn't allow flash photography but when I got there I found differently from speaking to the pastor.

[sapearl]

A tripod is a wonderful tool - you can have it assembled and close at hand if you decide to use it. Add a quick release plate to and you can have the camera on or off in seconds. This gives you the added option of lower ISO longer exposures for a less noisy look if that church is really dark.

[cwphoto]

Thats great if it's a still.. but motion blur will be an issue.
IS stops his motion, not the subject.

Sure but there are many times when the subjects are quite still allowing expsoures of anything down to 1s in some cases - can IS allow for that? ;)

[cwphoto]

To resume, a tripod is out of the question.

Poor advice. A tripod will be the best tool under these circumstances (no flash, low light, not allowed to move from position).

[sapearl]

Photographers have used tripods for more than 150 years - I think that says something about their value ;) .

Poor advice. A tripod will be the best tool under these circumstances (no flash, low light, not allowed to move from position).

[plater]

From the back of the church I use a 200mm 1.8 on a 1d MarkIIN on a tripod with a remote shutter release.
Good luck
Bruce

[song4themoon]

the fact that you arent allowed to move around would make me alert that they might not allow a tripod either.. ask about that!

[sblais]

Poor advice. A tripod will be the best tool under these circumstances (no flash, low light, not allowed to move from position).


Sorry, I missed the fact that he isn't allowed to move... But I still prefer a monopod :p! Seriously, if you are comfortable with using a tripod, then by all means go ahead, esp. if you are stuck in one corner.

I think a monopod would be more practucal during weddings when you CAN move. It gives extra stability and is easily moved from one location to another.

[cwphoto]

the fact that you arent allowed to move around would make me alert that they might not allow a tripod either.. ask about that!

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission IMO. If you ask first it gives them the opportunity to say no, just do it and pleade ignorance if you're challenged.

[statenine]

haha, all good tips, thanks guys. I will bring both the tripod and monopod and see what I can do.