FIRST TIME SHOOTER

[canonrebel]

I have been asked to shoot some stills as a favour to help promote a venue, is my kit suitable, I have a 40D and 400D and a 17-70 f2.8/4 50 f1.8 and 70-200 f2.8, apparently the lighting is from a box at the front of stage, no overhead lights.

All comments appreciated.

Steve

[johnstoy]

Can you get/rent some slightly faster lenses? These, without IS, at f/2.8 are borderline... While the 50.F/1.8 is slow to focus and somewhat limited in range...

Ideally, you would need a 17-55 and a 70-200mm, both IS and both at 2.8...
And/or real fast primes... I've gotten by with the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and the Canon 85mm f/1.8 during dozens of shows, with good results... However the IS zooms offer more versatility.

The camera settings would need to be at around ISO 1600, and refrain from flash, thus capturing the venue's ambient light sources.

What do you think?

[René Damkot]

I have been asked to shoot some stills as a favour to help promote a venue, is my kit suitable, I have a 40D and 400D and a 17-70 f2.8/4 50 f1.8 and 70-200 f2.8, apparently the lighting is from a box at the front of stage, no overhead lights.

All comments appreciated.

Steve

Totally dependent on the images you want to take, and the amount (& quality!) of light coming out of the "box at the front of stage"

I'd be more concerned about that frankly. The 40D should do fine.
Use ISO 1600, use a tripod if need be (assuming the subject doesn't move (too much))

Make sure you nail the focus. (Which can be hard with a 50/1.8)