low light question

[kyleturbo]

My friend wants me to take a bunch of pictures at his work's christmas party in a couple days. Cool I say.
It will be held indoors and in the evening hours. So, I assume there will be low light.

I am using a 20d, 17-55IS and the factory 20d flash(or no flash if I can avoid it). I usually shoot in ISO100, but it doesn't sound like there will be a lot of light avaliable without getting into too long of exposures. I also always shoot in manual compared to Av or whatever the other settings are called.

What kind of settings would you be using in this situation?

thanks, kyle

[picturecrazy]

Indoor evening? ISO100? no external flash? It just will not happen, unless you live in the south pole where it's broad daylight 24 hours a day around now, shooting in a glass roofed place.

Seriously though, to do it elegantly you will need some kind of external flash. Crank up your ISO to 800, or even 1600 if you need to. You have no reason to be scared of ISO800 on a 20D. The 17-55 and 70-200 will block part of your onboard flash so it's not a good idea to use them with it. Your 50 1.8 will work with flash, but it's not a good performer in the focusing department when the light gets really low.

You can buy an old autoflash like a Nikon SB-24 or 28, or Canon 199A for under $50. I would NOT go there without a good flash in your bag. Unless you luck out and it's insanely well lit, which evening Christmas parties usually are not.

As for

[Rumjungle]

You've got all the right gear for the job except the flash. If the party is coming up in a couple of days, I'd get a flash (or rent it) ASAP so you have time to learn to use it effectively.

[silvex]

I would rent a 580EX II. YOu probably need a security deposit and $40 rental fee. Set the 20D on "P" mode and bounce the flash. Like said above without flash is not going to happen.

[PIXI_666]

An external flash is the best investment!

[Tee Why]

ISO 1600 if the fastest lens you have is f2.8 and the subjects are moving in a dark place. I'd keep the aperture at f2.8 and set the shutter speed accordingly, I'd think it'll still be relatively slow though. You can use the IS to avoid any camera shake but it's of limited use if the subjects are moving as slow shutter speeds will then show subject movement blur.
I'd recommend getting a flash. The pop up flash has limits and may take a long time to charge after a few shots, not to mention the battery drain.

[PhotosGuy]

You probably won't even have this much light to work with, but this should give you a baseline to think about: Some Volley Ball Tournament Tests **56K Warning!** (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=394723)