Upcoming Toronto Autoshow

[aCiD99]

Ok, so the Toronto International Autoshow is coming up in about a month from now, and this is pretty much the biggest photography event of the year for me. (Pure fun of course :))

Two years ago I only had my Casio QV-4000, got some pretty good results, then for last year I had the XT with just the 18-55 NOTHING else, with poorer results, I relied to much on the camera I think...

This year I'll have of course everything in my sig, as well as an old Vivitar 550FD flash (picture attached). I'm going to take the 70-200 so I can be a bit creative with some of the nicer cars, and the lens that would be most used is the 18-55. But I'm strongly considering renting a 17-55 2.8 IS...

So I'm not entirely sure what the best combination of the above tools would be... I don't know if the 17-55 would be worth it, if I was just stopped down into 18-55 ranges anyways to get whole cars in focus...

If I should be using the flash, what kind of diffuser is appropriate for cars indoors?

Few pics from last year: (All no flash, 18-55)
http://www.bradgoldring.com/images/photography/others/large/13.JPG

http://www.bradgoldring.com/images/photography/others/large/14.JPG

http://www.bradgoldring.com/images/photography/others/large/16.JPG

I was happy with these ones, but out of the boat load I took, I wasn't happy with enough.

Thanks for any advice!
-brad

[sugarzebra]

The IS of the 17-55, plus the f/2.8 makes it the 'dream lens' for an auto show....so renting one would be a good idea. Last year I took just the 24-105 (because of the IS), but it was a little long, especially once there were lots of people around the cars. This year it will be the 10-22 and hopefully I wont have to push the ISO too much :D Here are a couple from last year as well....the Jeep is a tribute to fine Canon lenses :D

[aCiD99]

You didn't use any flash?

[aCiD99]

Uhhh, I didn't post this in Transport cause I KNEW it'd get moved, and I didn't want to post it here cause I knew no car show people would see it! Sucks :)

I just went through my pics from last year, most of the time I was between f5.6 and f7.1, ISO800 all day, and around 1/30 to 1/60, 1/200 for the really well lit cars.

But I found this yielded still a lot of too dark shots or shakey ones. I saw a pro (assumed cause he had access to behind the ropes, and some serious gear) shooting the Ferraris when I was there, he was using (a Nikon :P) a direct flash, no diffusion at all. I'm concerned that would just put a big bright flash reflection in the middle of hoods???

[sugarzebra]

You didn't use any flash?

No, there are so many hot spots due to the lighting at the shows that I didnt want to add more.....the results arent too bad.

[ChopstickHero]

the 17-55 really is a dream lens for indoor autoshows. i would rent it and really see how it outperforms the 18-55 in every aspect. the only bad thing will be that it will leave you wanting to buy it! lol

You should dial your flash down a little, maybe a -2/3 of a stop and use a flash diffuser which will be at least -1 stop. it all depends on the lighting conditions which will vary. the diffuser i like to use is the Lumiquest minisoft box. it adds a very soft light and diffuses very well. i have a stofen omni bounce, but since more ceilings are super high in the autoshow convention centers, it makes it harder to properly direct your flash. depending on your angle and position of the car, you might not get any direct relfections. it will be tricky, but learn to use manual mode. it will be alot more controllable than leaving it on Av or Tv.

http://images18.fotki.com/v339/photos/7/73230/3928093/IMG_3157-vi.jpg
17mm, f/3.2, 1/8 second, iso 200, flash off

http://images18.fotki.com/v339/photos/7/73230/3928093/IMG_3306-vi.jpg
17mm, f/2.8, 1/15 second, iso 800, flash on (dialed way down... didn't want to ruin the "night time glow look"), handheld

[aCiD99]

Thanks guys!

Ok, stupid question time; can that flash be adjusted??? I've played with a bit, and always seem to get the same light output?

[aCiD99]

At least I've got 2GB instead of 512MB, and 3 batteries instead of just one this year, so I can screw around more without worrying about being out of luck half way through.

[ChopstickHero]

not sure if i would take the 70-200 with you, even though it is 2.8. it's just not wide enough to capture the shots you would really want at an auto show. unless of course, you're planning on specific shots. and i assume you are going as a paying person (not media), so fighting the crowds and trying to get a clean shot will be hard. i have media credentials so i can get into events before they are open to public (notice my 1st pic vs the 2nd). Also, not sure how that old flash will work with your camera. does it have E-TTL?

[aCiD99]

I wanna take it just for the odd creative one, I got a good Lowepro backpack so it's not a big deal.

I'm going to go during the week, and it's only the Toronto show, so it's not very busy luckily.

That flash is quite old and stupid, so just TTL, it won't even flash unless I set it to Manual.

[DocFrankenstein]

I'd leave the 70-200 at home and take the widest, faster thing I could.

[aCiD99]

I'd leave the 70-200 at home and take the widest, faster thing I could.

I know I'm going to use it ;) Even if I didn't use it, I'd still regret not taking it.

[ChopstickHero]

i hate carrying extra gear, especially when i think it'll have very little use. the Toronto Autoshow can get quite busy, especially during the beginning days and ending days. I use to live there and have attended many shows. now, the LA Autoshow is so filled with people, it's not even worth taking my camera. i only go during the media days. For the flash, you can set it manually and adjust it as necessary.

[aCiD99]

Ya, I usually go during the middle of the day, during the middle of the week, and it's not too bad. It's my reading week (week off University) so I have all the time in the world.

[PhotosGuy]

Ya, I usually go during the middle of the day, during the middle of the week, and it's not too bad. It's my reading week (week off University) so I have all the time in the world. In that case, see if you can get in on a media day & if a tripod is allowed. Tripod + Kit lens worked fairly well then.

Black custom Harley (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=420680)
More: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=54281

Some PS work can improve your results, even though the lighting will still be crappy:
;)