Family Engagement Dinner

Hey all ... my first time in this section. I've shot at family events before, and did a friend's wedding last year. Wedding was in good light and shots were awesome, was for great friends, very relaxed, photos turned out so natural and better than I usually shoot.

However, have a family dinner this weekend and shooting in, likely to be, a very dark arena ... felt limited before, losing a high rate, and important key shots, to darkness and slow lenses. Its not professional so can't justify renting, but they expect a lot as they like the photos I usually shoot.

Any tips or ideas with my gear? Don't wanna use built in flash, or push iso higher than 1600 ... won't have time to swap lenses, so thinking just go with 20mm and use feet zoom?

I would not use the 20mm. Instead use your 50mm 1.8. That will give you a good focal distance on a crop body along with a wide aperture. I would also get a flash. While the 1.8 will be much better... sometimes in very low light you will still have to slow down the shutter speed and/or push up the iso. I would look into a cheaper Yungnuo flash ($50-$70). This way you can bounce it off the ceiling and get some good light.

Yeah, I'd at least get this. I have a couple of these, and the fact that they're so simple - manual only, just bump the power up and down is awesome. Do M, ISO 1600, 1/60, F/5.6 and put the flash at half power and tweak it. Point the flash at the ceiling and make or buy a bounce card like this.

It's really your only option based on the limitations you mentioned.

Cheap flash is a great idea, however wont have time to get one. What about an old flash? My parents had one on their old canon film slr which had fd lenses ... would that be compatible? Though, from memory, it used to be quite slow to recharge between shots, took 4 aa batteries.

... also thinking if I get a flash, would rather my 17-85mm for flexibility, the 50mm is too long around the table, I find anyway.

legoman_iac wrote in post #15498681
Cheap flash is a great idea, however wont have time to get one.

Why not? I could get that flash tomorrow for $4 shipping using Amazon Prime.

Engagement parties are typical for couples who plan to have a long engagement. It would be odd to have a party and then the wedding a month later.