Dance Recital.. Which of my lenses?

[jjdurrant]

From what I have read, 1/200, ISO 1600, Tv mode seems to be the sweet spot. However, I am still unsure which of my lenses to use or if I should rent one. I will be somewhat close to the stage.

[roman_t]

if you can get closer to stage - mount fast zoom

[Brikwall]

The best lens you have for this type of photography is the 17-50/2.8. Unfortunately, you will have to be really close to the stage to get any decent shots. I wouldn't use the 50/1.8 because the AF speed is pathetic.

Don't shoot Tv - shoot manual. You don't want your shutter speed to fluctuate too much as the lighting changes (and it will).

1/200 is rather slow for dance - you'll get a lot of motion blur, especially around the hands and feet. Push the ISO to 3200 if need be to keep the shutter speed up.

[alan_potter]

Don't shoot Tv - shoot manual. You don't want your shutter speed to fluctuate too much as the lighting changes (and it will).


Isn't that an argument for shooting in a non-manual mode? Concentrate on framing pictures and anticipating what's happening on stage, leave the camera to work out the details of exposure?

regards,
/alan

[jjdurrant]

Ok.. I may rent a lens.. suggestions?

[Brikwall]

Isn't that an argument for shooting in a non-manual mode? Concentrate on framing pictures and anticipating what's happening on stage, leave the camera to work out the details of exposure?

regards,
/alan

There are non-manual modes? Just kidding...

The problem with shooting in Av or Tv is that there are too many factors that can affect the camera's decision making process. For example, different coloured costumes will affect the metering, as will different coloured lights at various points on the stage. So will skin colour if you focus on faces. The metering mode you choose will play a major role as well. The camera tries to compensate but it doesn't always do a good job. In some cases, it does a downright lousy job because the camera's decisions are not the ones you would make.

[Brikwall]

Ok.. I may rent a lens.. suggestions?

Depends on how far you are from the stage, what types of shots you want, and what the lighting will be like. My preferred lens is the 70-200/2.8 but the 85/1.8 and 50/1.4 come in handy as well.

[jjdurrant]

I am borrowing a 70-200L 2.8 IS from a friend.. whoo hoo. I will be shooting from various distances (with camera in hand no mono\tripod).

I am thinking my primary mode will be Tv with 1600 ISO.

However, I am going to work in M as well with various SS from 1/100 to 1/500.

Thoughts?

[Yellowbond]

I'm with Dan on using manual and the value of the 17-55 at f2.8 1600 iso. I get to a lot of my daughter's dances and lighting can be all over the place. Trial and error using TV & M has got me to using M all the time. I've found it speeds up the post processing too as exposures are more consistent, though this is partly to do with the lighting at least being stable rather than flashing. Good luck, hope you get some good shots.

[alan_potter]

There are non-manual modes? Just kidding...

The problem with shooting in Av or Tv is that there are too many factors that can affect the camera's decision making process. For example, different coloured costumes will affect the metering, as will different coloured lights at various points on the stage. So will skin colour if you focus on faces. The metering mode you choose will play a major role as well. The camera tries to compensate but it doesn't always do a good job. In some cases, it does a downright lousy job because the camera's decisions are not the ones you would make.

Mmmm...

Some day I must try this. When I shoot shows (http://www.stagepics.co.uk) I always shoot Av. Now I could easily imagine doing a better job with safety shift, but that will have to wait until I can justify better hardware.

Manual, it just feels as if I'd be spending all my time worrying about camera-related stuff, and not spending enough time on show-related stuff (what's happening on stage) or photograph-related stuff (how to frame the picture).

But a quick glance at your flickr stream suggests your advice is worth heeding...

regards,
/alan

[DwightMcCann]

You want to get a Mod to move this to the discussion section here or over in the lens section.