Shooting bands in a night club

[mikesd]

I know its been discussed many times, but would appreciate any tips. The setup is the usual darkened nightclub, dance lights, and almost impossible to use a tripod. I will be using a 10D and can use either a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 or a Canon 50mm f/1.8. Any suggestions on camera settings/lens choices would help alot. Thanks.

[tim]

Use a flash... a really big one ;)

[mikesd]

Thanks Tim, I will be taking a flash with me but was hoping to catch some natural dance light shots to.

[phili1]

Your 28 to 75 should do the job with F2.8. the problen is in a night club the lights in certain areas will give you a shutter speed to slow. Stage is usually lit brighter.

The only way you can do it is with a flash with a stofen difusser on it.

I think what you are looking for is to keep the ambiance of its own lighting.

You can use the night time mode or shoot manual and use slow shutter speeds, the problem here is possable ghosting below 1/60 of a sec.

Go there and try 1/30 and see what you get but remember do not move the camera to fast after you press the shutter button.

[mikesd]

I do have a difusser and will give your suggestions a try. Thanks.

[scottbergerphoto]

Regarding the title of your thread, I believe someone just did that with disasterous results.
(Am I the only one that was struck by the irony of the title in relation to current events?)
Scott

[mikesd]

Must be to early in the morning, I didnt catch it and I have been up drinking coffee since 3:30 am central.

[RichardtheSane]

My take on this.

Try to avoid the flash where possible, and if you do use it use only as fill in at a stop under. Don't rely on the flash as a primary light source unless you want images that look like This (http://www.richardlindley.co.uk/thestandins/crw_8052_std.jpg).
Usinf fill flash you will get more that look like This (http://www.richardlindley.co.uk/thestandins/crw_7995_std.jpg) (fill flash, 2 stops under, look better than the Non fill version! (http://www.richardlindley.co.uk/thestandins/crw_7994_std.jpg))

If you can move about use the 50mm F1.8 instead of the Tamron 28-75 F2.8. The wider aperture is your friend, use it.

[sdommin]

Regarding the title of your thread, I believe someone just did that with disasterous results.
(Am I the only one that was struck by the irony of the title in relation to current events?)
Scott

Yeah, the title caught my eye! I guess no one pays attention to the news anymore!