Lens reco....Night Club

Current Equipment:
50D
Nifty Fifty 1.8
EF 24-105 F4 L IS

Friend of mine has asked me to take photos over the next 2 months inside his club. Pics of people, groups, crowds, etc.

Place is quite packed on the evenings request for photos. Not much room to move around.

I don't know if the 50mm will allow me to move around.

Do i invest in a flash? and or a lens? recos?

flash is a must, but with the lens you have i don't think it be wide enought for the club unless for got alot of space to move around

yes i think the 50 would be too long

I'd say invest in a good flash.

i'd go with a 24L, 35L or the 30EX.

+1 on the Siggy if you're short on money. at least I got a good copy =)

Flash definitely, the Sigma 30 f/1.4, and/or an ultra wide angle like the Sigma 10-20 (if you're low on cash) or the Tokina 11-16/Canon 10-22 if you can afford it. The UWA will allow you to get pictures of groups/crowds in the tight space of the club without having to move back. It'll also let you get some nice shots of the entire space.

The 50 is definitely too long for your purpose unless you only want close-up shots of people's heads.

17-40 @ 5.6 with Flash. 1/30.

10-22mm, 17-40, 18-55 IS, 17-55 IS, 16-35 IS, whichever...

A flash will pretty much be required and a lens that shoots wide angle will be most desirable.

Thanks all. I want to keep this as low as possible, as my recent 24-105L purchase cleared out the cookie jar.

Looks like I will be picking up a Sigma EF 530DGC.

I found a Sigma 30 EX DG for $250 CDN...checking it out tonight. I fear that that maybe too long even at 30mm.

taxsux wrote in post #6581586
17-40 @ 5.6 with Flash. 1/30.

lol uh? i donno about 1/30sec with the 17-40 specially without IS. Club are usually dark and eveyone is moving fast.

I think a UWA will serve you a lot better in a club setting than the Sigma 30 f/1.4. Your 24-105L already covers 30 and if you have a flash you won't be needing the f/1.4 anyway. The Sigma 10-20 is awesome for the price. Not sure how much it is in Canada, but you can get one used for between $400 and $450 shipped here on the forum.

xr_oc_kx wrote in post #6581246
+1 on the Siggy if you're short on money. at least I got a good copy =)

my copy of the sigma 30/1.4 missed every once in a while in low light. the canon 28/1.8 i borrowed from a friend hit the mark more frequently. perhaps it was my copy? i've always though [In terms of focus accuracy] that the 28/1.8 is a better option than the 30/1.4, despite the siggy being a faster lens.

What's your budget? You can probably get a decent used Tamron 17-50 for under $350 and a 430ex for $200. You can probably get a cheaper manual flash with variable settings ($50-$100).

especially you have a crop camera, you want a wider lens. I'd say a 16-35mm is good or 17-40mm is good. even a prime at 24mm or 35mm would be good, but 50mm would be too long because there will lots of people and not a lot of room to move and stand back to take a shot without having people getting in your way. I've shot at nightclubs before, me and friend have a side-business shooting for club promoter companies. I know from experience, that you want a wider-angle lens, a flash, and a bounce card for the flash.

The Tokina 11-16 is a great lens and there are really good prices on 580ex ii and 430ex ii right now.

I'd look at those.