Need Recommendation for Lens in Low Light

[ShannonG]

Could someone help me on find a solution for shooting in low light conditions. I recently used my Sigma 70-200mm usm, f/2.8 telephoto and 580 speedlite to shoot my step-sons graduation in the gym area of his highschool (lighting was terrible), and could not achieve proper exposure without increasing my ISO dramatically. I eventully did raise the ISO and got a lot of digital noise. I didn't use a tripod as I was walking around during the cermony so my shutter speeds were not under 1/60. I also found that the ceiling was to high to boucne my flash off.[/size]

[size=4]I really need help in low lighting. Should I invest in a Canon IS telephoto? Will this help. ahhhhhh......:o

BTW: i shoot with a canon 1d mark II and shoot in RAW

[redbutt]

I have the 1D Mk2 and I get great results with my Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS. But, I'm curious as to your comment about noise. The 1D Mk2 is perfectly useable at ISO 800. What ISO where you trying to use?

[rent]

f/2.8 is probably the fastest you'll get for lenses over 200mm (canon used to make a 200mm f/1.8 which is now discontinued). also they are all very expensive.

IS will definately help, a monopod will help if tripod is not practical. other than that, cranking up ISO would be the only option left for long distance shots where flash doesn't reach.

-alex

[gasrocks]

Use a monopod, run the iso up to 800, use noise ninja/neat image to reduce noise. 135/2 mm lens might help. Biggest thing, learn how to get closer and time the "action" right. I won't suggest something as expensive as a 200/1.8

[CyberDyneSystems]

Noise = underexposure.. reduce noise by adding exposure compensation...

Faster lenses is all that will help.. IS might help some .. but too much as your subjects are moving so you still need shutter speed.

The 135mm f/2L and 85mm f/1.8 are handy and fast lenses.

[DavidEB]

If you're using flash anyways, try adding in a second flashgun. Essentially adds a stop of light. Get a flash bracket, attach a second flash shoe mount, and set up as wireless slave to first flash.

[ShannonG]

Thanks everyone for helping me with this issue. I guess I'll need to get-into-the-habit of carrying around my monopod. I going to practice my exposure compensation and only uping my iso to a max of 800 and see what that brings me. I also really what to sell my Signma and purchase the Canon 200mm f/2.8 IS UMS telephoto lens.... If anyone knows of a buyer, please let me know. Thanks all.

[Sean-Mcr]

As CDS has said IS wont help with moving subjects, it's hard generally to catpture people in low light wth IS unless they stay pretty still. If that's how you like to shoot then i'd go with a fast lens like the 135 F2/L or 85 1.8 as CDS suggested

[ShannonG]

Thanks Sean-Mcr.... ok, I'm convinced on the faster lens. I just looked at all my lenses and I really don't have any fast lenses at all. I have a Canon 17-40 mm EF f/4.0 USM, Canon EF 28-105 mm f/3.5 USM, and the Signma 70-200 f/2.8 USM. If I go with the 85 mm f/1.8 this should compliment my set-up and fix my low lighting picture taking, right....

[ShannonG]

Sure WarrenO I will be glad to post some pics soon. Question for you... I am convinced that I need the Canon 85 1.8 for low lighting as it is one of the fastest lenses (also read it is one of the best lens for weddings and portrait photography). This has been a big source of frustration for me trying to shoot in low light conditions with the lenses i already have. Glad I started asking for help in this forum! I would like to get the 'L' series 85mm f/1.8 but it is a heafty chunk of change. I have a wedding next Saturday and would really like to have my problem under control and not have to worry about lighting conditions so much and focus more on posing. I recall you mentioned a lens that was very popular and came highly recommended; was this the lens?

[CyberDyneSystems]

As you have seen.. there are two 85mm in the Canon stable..

The one we have recomended is not the "L"... not because there is anything wrong with the 85mm f/1.2 L ... but simply because the cost is so high. (about $1,400.00 last time I looked)

The lens Scott and I were referring to.. is the 85mm f/1.8 USM
for a little over $300.00... the 85mm 1.8 is a lot of lens for the price.

On top of it's large aperture and sharp images.. it also has the fastest AutoFocus of any lens in it's price range... you will notice it is significantly faster than any lens you currently own.

[CyberDyneSystems]

... sorry I was quoting U.S. prices...

[ShannonG]

Thanks for clarifing that CDS. That's makes me feel so much better! 1st thing tomorrow I'm going to purchase this lens. Hopefully, I'll have it by next weekend. Once the wedding is over I'll post my first pics to the forum. Whew, decisions...decisions.

[Jackal]

Noise = underexposure.. reduce noise by adding exposure compensation...



Hmm what do you mean?

To shoot in low light I'd turn the ISO to 800 which would keep my shutter speed right above 1/60 so I can shoot at 50mm handheld. If I turn up exposure compensation that means the shutter speed is made slower so that it's not underexposed right? But then I can't hand hold. :o

Or am I wrong? D:

[ShannonG]

Jackal, that is exactly my problem in low lighting. When I shoot, i shoot freehand (no tripod) so I can keep my shutter up past 1/60 sec. What CDS and others were saying is to keep the iso down, get a faster lens like the 85 mm f/1.8. This way you can have the apperature wide open giving you more flexibility to achieve proper exposure without having to slow the shutter too much.

WarrenO - my bro. Yes i do have have the auto mail feature on. Unfortunately it goes to my work email and not home.... like all my pics are on my work pc and not at home. Ahhh, to have portability someday! lol

[Sean-Mcr]

Hi Warren,

There's this on canons site http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=150 hit product advisor then hit ef lenses 101

[jdrenda]

The 200f2.8 is a great lens you will feel the WOW factor after a couple of images with the 200 and the markll, John

[Headcase650]

The 70-200 2.8 lens she was using should have been able to do the job properly. If I understand correctly her biggest complaint was noise at ISO 800. She was advised to add EC to properly expose the shot but this will increase shutter time on moving subjects and im sure she doesnt want that. Then advised to buy a faster lens, the 85mm 1.8 witch would help her situation but at the expense of over $300.

Back to the noise problem. A properly exposed shot at ISO 1600 or 3200 will have less noise than a underexposed shot at ISO 800. I think she should have originaly bumped her ISO up to proprerly expose the shot at a decent shutter speed and then used noisewares free application to remove any unwanted noise, or shot RAW and removed it while post prosessing.

Dont be afraid of high ISO as long as you can get it exposed properly and with all the noise reduction programs out there you shouldnt have a problem.

Solution to high cielings and flash.

Lumiquest pocket bounce, omnibounce, lightsphere II,
A 3x5 white postcard rubberbanded to your flashhead.
Lots of solutions for this type of thing.