Ballet: 1Ds2 or 1D2?

[ebann]

Which body would you prefer to shoot a ballet performance and why?

[bacchanal]

1DsII. Easier to deal with high ISO noise when you have 16mp images, I like FF and I don't really use high FPS.

FWIW, I would probably take a 5D over a 1DII as well for the same reasons.

[ebann]

1DsII. Easier to deal with high ISO noise when you have 16mp images, I like FF and I don't really use high FPS.

FWIW, I would probably take a 5D over a 1DII as well for the same reasons.

Thanks Drew for your opinion, it's what I thought but wasn't too sure.

[tfd888]

Both cameras are quite capable of the task. Ballet is what I first started photographing when I got into photography and is one of my favorite things to photograph.

I've been using the 1D Mk II which has performed quite well and having the FPS (I do quick 2-3 shot bursts for jumps or quick moving choreography but usually am at low FPS doing single shots) is a nice thing to have. A friend of mine lent me their 1DsMkII for a few performances (they shoot ballet as well) and when comparing the two bodies, I felt the AF on the 1DMkII had the slightest edge against the AF on the 1DsMkII but I loved the viewfinder and extra resolution on the 1DsMkII. Noise performance is pretty similar when comparing both bodies at 100% and maybe a little harsher on the 1DsMkII but the advantage goes to the 1DsMkII when you resize it to the resolution of the 1DMkII.

Example of what the 1DMkII can do at ISO1600 for ballet: http://arroshotz.smugmug.com/Dance/Ballet/2009-City-Ballet-School-1/10653446_8aaBE#741345098_BrJqz

For me I guess it would depend on the performance you are shooting. If it's a fast paced performance shooting at ISO1600 or lower, I'd probably favor the 1DMkII because of the larger buffer (18-20 shots compared to around 9 shots on the 1DsMkII) and what seems to be a slightest edge in AF but in all other cases I would favor the 1DsMkII (I wish I could have gotten one but my budget just didn't permit it, it was either 70-200 2.8 or 1DsMkII :lol:).

For what it's worth, one of the higher level ballet photographers in the business has been primarily using a 1DsMkII for the past few years and just recently started using a Nikon D3s.
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[ebann]

Alexander,

Thank you very much for your info! Your pictures are simply marvelous! I am still learning how to capture my daughter's (Aged 9 and just started doing point!) ballet performance. For the longest time I have been shooting from the mezzanine with my 70-200/2.8IS+40D (before that I had the Canon D30+75-300) and thought it was a great place to capture the entire stage. I focused on capturing most of the scene in my shots. After 4 years shooting, which implies only 4 end-of-year performances, I think I have learned something.

1) Shoot from the floor level. That's the best angle I suppose, since I assume the choreography was designed with the ground level perspective?!? It also is a better angle for the lifts.

2) Fill the frame with the performers. Shoot a few wide shots (perhaps on a second body!) with a wide angle.

This past year I tried using my 85/1.2L and got some nice shots at floor level. I just couldn't get the wide shots. I shoot mostly ISO 800-1600 in manual mode. Should I be shooting in another mode?

[Trevor04GT]

Def the full frame camera. You will need the extra ISO quality

[tfd888]

Alexander,

Thank you very much for your info! Your pictures are simply marvelous! I am still learning how to capture my daughter's (Aged 9 and just started doing point!) ballet performance. For the longest time I have been shooting from the mezzanine with my 70-200/2.8IS+40D (before that I had the Canon D30+75-300) and thought it was a great place to capture the entire stage. I focused on capturing most of the scene in my shots. After 4 years shooting, which implies only 4 end-of-year performances, I think I have learned something.

1) Shoot from the floor level. That's the best angle I suppose, since I assume the choreography was designed with the ground level perspective?!? It also is a better angle for the lifts.

2) Fill the frame with the performers. Shoot a few wide shots (perhaps on a second body!) with a wide angle.

This past year I tried using my 85/1.2L and got some nice shots at floor level. I just couldn't get the wide shots. I shoot mostly ISO 800-1600 in manual mode. Should I be shooting in another mode?

There are times when I will go up on the catwalk or to a higher vantage point like the balcony depending on the piece but as you said, most of the time the best shots come from your lens being slightly above the level of the stage but to be able to do that, you usually have to shoot the dress rehearsals since a shutter going off in the middle of an audience during a live performance is a pretty big no-no. During live performances, I'm usually shooting from the wings or from the back of the house in silent shutter mode with a jacket thrown over the camera.

That sounds about right. Depending on the lighting (if it's constant or constantly changing :lol: ) I'm either in AV mode with any necessary EC dialed in or in Manual (very easy for the meter to get fooled by the stage lights especially when shooting from the wings).