Lens for child's dance recital??

[jpsamora]

My daughter started dance last year and I shot her recital with a 400D and Sigma 70-200 2.8. The results were subpar in my opinion. But my daughter's teacher shared the shots with some parents and they wanted copies. So this year I have been asked to shoot the rehearsal and have proofs available for parents to order pictures the following night if they wish.

Since then I have upgraded my camera to a 40D. Now I'm wondering if I should upgrade the lens as well. I was thinking about the canon 85 1.8. Has anybody used this lens for dance recitals? For that matter, what lens would you recommend if not the 85 1.8?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can offer.

[tfd888]

The two lenses that I use and would recommend for this kind of shooting are the 70-200 L 2.8 and the 16-35 L 2.8 . I use the 70-200 for the vast majority of the shots and the 16-35 for portrait shots backstage or for large group numbers.

Haven't tried the 85 1.8 as I personally don't like using primes for dance shoots as you will either clip something or else spend a lot of time in PP cropping.

What was the matter with your shots last time?

[jpsamora]

They were real soft and the noise was pretty bad. Here's the best of the bunch imo. I know I cut off her feet. :(

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/jedisrus/Megan2.jpg

[canadatv]

In my opinion, the problems with the image you posted could have been avoided with different camera settings. With the XTi, ISO1600 gives a very noisy image, and in this case it is also underexposed so if you try to increase exposure in your post processing, the noise gets even worse. From the image EXIF, I see you were shooting f/2.8 (good), 1/800 (good but not needed, you can go as low as 1/250 for dance if you're careful on timing), and ISO1600 (as I said bad on XTi, could have gone to ISO800 or maybe ISO640 depending on the lighting).

With your 40D, ISO1600 is better than XTi. The 5D is better than both.

Hope this helps.

[DDCSD]

How much did you bring up the exposure on this shot? Cropped much?

Without an specifics, The 85 1.8 would be great, but you have to be very careful to nail your focus. There isn't much DOF to work with at 85mm and f/1.8. The shot you posted above is focused on her hips, and not her face. At f/1.8, her face would be much more out of focus.

There is also the 135 L, but if you have some freedom to move around, the 85 should work great.

[jpsamora]

Thanks for the advice. I'm also thinking the 85 stopped down will be sharper than the Sigma 70-200 wide open. Besides the improvements needed in technique I think that could help get some sharper pictures.

And unfortunately for now the 5D and 135L are out of my price range. Maybe the parents will lose their minds and want to purchase so many pictures that the fund a 5D in the process! ;)

[lamba]

I am just begining to take pictures, and I rented the 85 1.8 for my daughter's dance competition. I was so pleased with the pictures. The best I've taken so far. You may want to try renting the lens and trying it out before purchasing. That's what I did and now I am seriously considering buying the lens.

[Peter Camyre]

I've asked pretty much the same question. People are suggesting either stopping the 85 1.8 down to 2.8, or using the 70-200 2.8 wide open.
The latter to avoid extensive cropping. I shot a dance recital last year and was less than thrilled with the results. this year I plan to do better. Good luck.

[Peter Camyre]

40D with 85mm 1.8 @ 1/400 ISO 1250 and at 1.8
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3611725231_df759e5bfe_b.jpg

[fourelements99]

I would lower the shutter speed to achieve lower iso. Dance like this 1/200 is enough.

They were real soft and the noise was pretty bad. Here's the best of the bunch imo. I know I cut off her feet. :(

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y198/jedisrus/Megan2.jpg