Blue Coyote 12-16-06

[gardengirl13]

OK, my first gig shots with digital. This bar is darker then dark, even with ISO 3200 I couldn't really do it. No room for a tripod and I didn't know how crazy it would be so I only brought my 35 2.0. But here are a few shots. Being right in front of the band I couldn't get any farther away without having my view completely blocked by people or walls. I hate to say it but next time they play here I will be bringing my old A1 and crank the ISO to 12,000. This was crazy to try on digital. They were stuck in this tiny spot which made it hard to photograph. So sorry they aren't great. Things are cropped bad, noise is bad, blurring is bad, etc... But please let me know what you think. I do want to try this more and be able to get good shots.

http://gardengirl13.zoto.com/img/45/492dc9d0bf0b5d9126a6f5c937574158-.jpg

http://gardengirl13.zoto.com/img/45/0ecad08722dd45587ab0ed3c86a77f2c-.jpg

http://gardengirl13.zoto.com/img/45/639ff5b1b6b70bc04696871536fae0d3-.jpg

[Valerie S]

It's "challenging" isn't it? I think it was a good idea to bring the 35/2.0 as you saw how much a fast lens is needed. I'm surprised you shoot handheld at 1/6 even with a 35mm! It's tough not to get any blur from holding or subject movement at that slow of a speed. Fun trying to shoot around people and walls, huh? ;)

[basroil]

looks like it's time to upgrade that lens.. 30 1.4 (sigma, canon 35L would be too much $) looks ok for 1/8th second or slower..

[gardengirl13]

I wish I could upgrade! No funds for that. I do have the 50 1.4 which may have given me a little extra but it would have been too long for this spot. I'd like to try the sigma before buying and I'm no where near a camera shop (NY is 1.5 hours by train and the closest)

Has anyone here used the sigma for concerts/gigs? I'd love to save for the 35L, but that'll take a few years.

[Valerie S]

Has anyone here used the sigma for concerts/gigs?

I bought (and returned) 3 or 4 before I got a copy of the Sigma 30/1.4 that focussed correctly (no front or back focus). I shot 5 or 6 bands over two nights and the AF on it didn't seem to be fast enough - many shots were a little soft. I compared them to the 5 or 6 bands I had shot the weekend before with a rented 35L and had a very high rate of sharp keepers. I've noticed that a few people here use that lens and I haven't seen any mention (in this forum) of the same problem, but I have heard others comment negatively on it's low light AF performance elsewhere (Fred Miranda and DPR).

[gardengirl13]

Yeah I've heard it has poor low light AF.

The 35 2.0 focused really fast on Saturday, it was just too dark to not blur. I only had the AF slip twice and hunt all over for maybe 1/2-1 second. Really good if you ask me. I guess I just need to get a monopod and tuck it in a corner where I can get around people and at least get the non-moving things sharper.

At least it was a learning experience.

And my health isn't so good and my hands tend to shake, so these came out good enough for their website. I tried the flash when no one was around yet and they were trying to figure out how to get all their gear into this tiny space, and the photos came out sooo bad! I hate flash (well at least on camera flashes)

I really drool at all the great shots here where they have great lighting!

[johnstoy]

Me too...regarding the Sigma 30mm 1.4...shot an entire show only to discover the short focus problem...returned it and got an "L" lens...my motto now is to, save, save, save and buy once...The hand shaking is a problem too...Just think of this every time...aim, focus, stabilize, sustain, and shoot...

Let's make a club called the (Original Member of the) "No Flash Gang"...I'm considering adding it to my signature...I already did once yesterday, but it seemed too self centered...

[gardengirl13]

I'd be a dues paying member of that club. I never even owned a flash with my film setup.

One thing someone taught me years ago was aim focus breath out then snap. Don't hold your breath in, hold it after you release it.

[CanonXTuser]

Yeah I've heard it has poor low light AF.

The 35 2.0 focused really fast on Saturday, it was just too dark to not blur.

Actually, the blur on the first shot is due to back focus. Look at the wall and the pics way back and see how much more sharp they are than the musicians right in front of you.

[johnstoy]

I'd be a dues paying member of that club. I never even owned a flash with my film setup.

One thing someone taught me years ago was aim focus breath out then snap. Don't hold your breath in, hold it after you release it.


No dues to the club, as long as you don't post your flash pictures here?...Is that fair? It's probably doable...
Regarding the stability issue with the cameras...Your's is a very good reminder...Now, I recall that from Photography class, many, many moons ago...

[René Damkot]

Actually, the blur on the first shot is due to back focus. Look at the wall and the pics way back and see how much more sharp they are than the musicians right in front of you.

And the second shot is focussed on the cymbals (if that's what these things are called)

Get to know your gear (and its limitations) before deciding you 'need' an upgrade.

That being said: This was obviously *very* dark, so I think it's good there is *anything* in focus. A faster lens would have helped getting a faster shutterspeed, but the focus error is at least half user error. (I know from experience) ;)

Live and learn! :lol: