dance recital

[awp]

I am going to shoot my daughters recital this weekend. I was getting ready to next day air Canons 100-400L IS (mostly to use in sports photography). Now I am thinking I should get Sigmas 120-300 2.8. Any advise? I will need to order it tomorrow.

[formula4speed]

The 100-400 would be too slow for the recital (I'm assuming its indoors with not so great light), the Sigma would probably be fast enough but I can't give any specific info on the quality of the lens. Personally they both sound like more zoom than you would need, I would probably bring a 135 F2L or 85 1.8 but then I've never shot a dance recital.

[Pelao]

Hi awp

I have the daughter(s) dance recital thing happening too. My tamron might be OK, but I have searched and read a lot about this and I agree with formula4speed - those 2 lenses would be great.

[pdrow]

I shot my daughter's with the cheapy 75-300. I had to set the ISO at 1600, but after I ran them through the noiseware, you couldn't tell at all. They really were nice. Her teacher likes it very dark, and I got very nice photos.
good luck
pam

[tucked]

I just purchased an 85mm 1.8 for use at recital later this month. I truly believe low f stop is going to be MUCH more important than big zoom. 135 f2 would be a nice choice also (as previously mentioned). Our studios "photographer" uses a nikon along with a sigma 70-200mm f2.8. He has had excellent luck with it.

[MDJAK]

I shot my daughters' dance recital with my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS, dress rehearsal from the first row with flash, actual recital without flash, from all the way in back, and also from the front. Some pictures came out wonderful.

If I knew how to resize my pictures from their gargantuan size raw that they are, I'd post some.

[Jim_T]

Yea, the 100-400 is too slow for artificially lit indoor photography :( ... It's a great lens but it's an outdoor lens for bright days..

I'm a bit older.. I shoot my granddaughter's gymnastic competitions.. usually under fairly bright sodium or mercury vapor lights....

FWIW, I get close to the mat and use my thrifty fifty (EF 50 f/1.8) lens.. It gives the best results.. I can get decent shots at ISO 400 I'm considering the EF 50 f/1.4 to get a bit more speed...

[flyfishnj]

Gotta agree - 100-400 is going to be too slow. Go with the 85 1.8, 135 f2 or 70-200 f2.8 IS depending on what you want to spend. All are great lenses.

Take a look at this thread

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75450

[twalker294]

Here is one from my daughter's recent recital:

http://www.pbase.com/twalker294/image/43538830/original.jpg

I took that with my 10D, ISO 1600, Canon 85/1.8 and Kenko 1.5x teleconverter. The shutter speed for that shot was 1/160 at f/3.5. Factoring in the 1 stop loss for the converter it was actually f/5.0. I used Neat Image for noise reduction.

If your venue has relatively good lighting, the 100-400 just might work if you keep it toward the 100mm end...

Todd

[Croasdail]

the Sigma 120 - 300 f2.8 is an awsome lens. I have a Canon 300 2.8 L and I can't tell optically much difference. But with that said, it is a large lens.... a really large lens. In low light you will want to be using a monopod with it - so take that into consideration if that is partical for your venue. I highly recommend the lens, but it might not be practical - you may end up whacking the people seated in front of you in the head all night. If you do go with it - sigma4less.com has the best price from a reputable reseller. But if you are willing to go to that expense - you could look at 100-400 canon you as well as say the canon 85 f1.8 for less then the Sigma costs. If you can make the sigma work for you setting - you will not be sorry with the purchase - it is on my wish list.

[awp]

THANK YOU ALL! You have all been very helpful in your suggestions, recomendations, and photo sharing. I have the Sigma 120-300 as well as 1.4 extender on the way. It should be here tomorow morning. I will report my satisfaction or lack thereof Monday morning. As for the venue, it is a local theatre, the stage lighting is pretty good. I will be shooting from the 5th row isle seat. I also purchased the seat in front and beside me. I also purchased a front row balcony seat. I will be taking my monopod as well as my 70-200L 2.8. I am shooting with my 20D. Wish me luck and thanks again!

[roanjohn]

GOOD LUCK!!! And don't hurt your back...........that is one CHUNKA lens!!!

:-)

Ro1

[awp]

I will be o.k. if I can convince them that my rolling camera case is my daughters make up bag. If you have ever seen the make up on these little girls, you could see that I have a pretty good chance. I believe the lense is 6+lbs.

[Croasdail]

Just remember to keep it rock steady. Even at 2.8 you will likely be shooting some slow shutter speeds, and with the size of the lens, any little movement will be picked up and your shots will look soft. It took me a while to figure out just how much of this was me and not the lens. Mount it solidly on a tripod or monopod - and you will be real happy. It took me a couple of weeks of shooting to really figure out my lense and dramitically raise the keeper ratio. Congradulations and enjoy it... look forward to seeing some shots from it.

[awp]

Just remember to keep it rock steady. Even at 2.8 you will likely be shooting some slow shutter speeds, and with the size of the lens, any little movement will be picked up and your shots will look soft. It took me a while to figure out just how much of this was me and not the lens. Mount it solidly on a tripod or monopod - and you will be real happy. It took me a couple of weeks of shooting to really figure out my lense and dramitically raise the keeper ratio. Congradulations and enjoy it... look forward to seeing some shots from it.

I am eagerly awaiting its delivery. I just tracked it and it is out for delivery. I hope to try it out tonight at the ballpark, which is what I actually bougt it for. Just think, if I can get 250 people to buy a print or disc @ $10-$15 each it will be paid for!! By the way, it is allstar time at the park!

[formula4speed]

Are you worried that a 120-300mm lens might be too long to shoot from the 5th row? From that close you could probably even use a 50mm 1.8 assuming you have a 1.6 crop factor camera.

[awp]

Are you worried that a 120-300mm lens might be too long to shoot from the 5th row? From that close you could probably even use a 50mm 1.8 assuming you have a 1.6 crop factor camera.

I will be taking 4 lenses and shooting from row 5, 15, balcony, and possibly from side stage. The recital is appx 8 hrs long and I hope to do a lot of trial and error shooting. I mostly shoot outdoors late afternoon-early evening, existing light. If the recital photos go well I may start doing some dance competitions. Presently, I am a little scattered out with my field of photography and need to narrow it down alot! Word of mouth, which should be my friend, is killing me as I work an office job from 6:30 am to 4:30 p.m..

[mrclark321]

My daughters recital is on Saturday also but we are not allowed to use flashes.
By chance anyone else having this event in Sarnia?
I took some pictures at the rehearsal with the 28-105 but was not happy with results, ended up getting lots of red eye shots!

Dan

[awp]

My daughters recital is on Saturday also but we are not allowed to use flashes.
By chance anyone else having this event in Sarnia?
I took some pictures at the rehearsal with the 28-105 but was not happy with results, ended up getting lots of red eye shots!

Dan
I will not be using a flash. I will up my iso, use monopod and 2.8 lenses. I think that will work, I hope it does.

[awp]

I have appx 2000 photos from the dance recital. I am very pleased with them, as are others! I used my 70-200L2.8 from the 5th row mostly handheld. I felt that the handles on my monopod were distractive to others veiw (as was someone elses lcd screen 3 rows ahead of me). I have a few issues to work out. I hope to post a few of the photos soon and look forward to your feedback and advice.

[sugar_babygirli]

I would LOVE to see some photos awp! :)