My Ever Stage Event Phot Shoot

Hi Members,

I need your critics and comments as I am unable to do well with images.
Here is the info: Canon %0d,20-70mm F2.8L IS II lens. The settings are ISO 1600 F1.4
1/40 th sec at 100mm.

Please send the comments.
Thanks
Rao

It took me a minute to understand what you were posting.
"My Ever Stage Event Phot Shoot" I am assuming that you are saying your "first ever"?

%0d. I am assuming that this is a 50d?

Also a 70-200 F/2.8 won't shoot at F/1.4, i assume that you mean F/2.8. Expecting us to help, please help us by proof reading your posts.

Good exposure. It can be difficult to get the proper exposure when starting out shooting stage performances.

A couple of tips. Shoot in manual, this way, when you lock in exposure, it stays constant and relieves a lot of PP work. I don't know if you shot in M or av etc.

Her body looks sharp, but her face is blurred.I don't know if this is a DOF issue or motion blur issue due to 1/40s. What i find is that it helps to stay at 1/100s-1/250s shutter speed (for the average performance).

I also try to stay at around F/4 to make sure that i have focus. It is easy to have the arm in focus, but have the face go out of focus.

I use what ever iso is necessary to get F/4 and 1/100s-1/250s shutter speed. I am not sure if your camera only goes to 1600 iso, or if you can bump it to iso 2000/2500 etc.

If you are on a tripod, turn off the IS. If hand held, keep IS turned on.

Micro5797 wrote in post #17182801
Expecting us to help, please help us by proof reading your posts.

^ ^ What he said. Here's the EXIF:
Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 50D
Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Image Date: 2014-09-27
Focal Length: 110mm
Focus Distance: 8.29m
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure Time: 0.020 s (1/50)
ISO equiv: 1600
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Manual
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined
Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.6 (Windows)

Micro5797 wrote in post #17182801
It took me a minute to understand what you were posting.
"My Ever Stage Event Phot Shoot" I am assuming that you are saying your "first ever"?

%0d. I am assuming that this is a 50d?

Also a 70-200 F/2.8 won't shoot at F/1.4, i assume that you mean F/2.8. Expecting us to help, please help us by proof reading your posts.

Good exposure. It can be difficult to get the proper exposure when starting out shooting stage performances.

A couple of tips. Shoot in manual, this way, when you lock in exposure, it stays constant and relieves a lot of PP work. I don't know if you shot in M or av etc.

Her body looks sharp, but her face is blurred.I don't know if this is a DOF issue or motion blur issue due to 1/40s. What i find is that it helps to stay at 1/100s-1/250s shutter speed (for the average performance).

I also try to stay at around F/4 to make sure that i have focus. It is easy to have the arm in focus, but have the face go out of focus.

I use what ever iso is necessary to get F/4 and 1/100s-1/250s shutter speed. I am not sure if your camera only goes to 1600 iso, or if you can bump it to iso 2000/2500 etc.

If you are on a tripod, turn off the IS. If hand held, keep IS turned on.

Hi

thanks you very much for your comments. Acutally I shot with 50D at F4.0 and 1600 iso. I shot in manual mode. She was constantly moving her head. Also i cound go beyond 1/40sec shutter speed. On Canon 50D 1600 iso is a limitation. Of course i admit that i could not hold the leas stedily as it was heavy and i was tired from day long shooting. I will definitely consider your points. Can i use some prime lens with around F1.2 opening? I saw 24mm F1.2 or 135mm 2.0 L lens. Do suggest these because i have a 50D.

thanks once again.

pnauduri05 wrote in post #17182865
Hi

thanks you very much for your comments. Acutally I shot with 50D at F4.0 and 1600 iso. I shot in manual mode. She was constantly moving her head. Also i cound go beyond 1/40sec shutter speed. On Canon 50D 1600 iso is a limitation. Of course i admit that i could not hold the leas stedily as it was heavy and i was tired from day long shooting. I will definitely consider your points. Can i use some prime lens with around F1.2 opening? I saw 24mm F1.2 or 135mm 2.0 L lens. Do suggest these because i have a 50D.

thanks once again.

@PhotosGuy Thanks for posting the Efix data.

A couple of things to keep in mind.
The primes don't have "IS", but are far lighter, thus less movement on your part.
With primes, you will do a lot more foot work trying to get the composition.You may not always be in the same seats at the same distance frrom stage. Then to go wider or tighter you will be constantly changing lenses.
If you can use a tripod, this will allow you to get away with a slower shutter speed. Even a mono pod would help, if a tripod is not allowed.

For stage performances, i would much rather go with a body that has a higher iso range than a lens that opens wider. So rather than investing in an expensive lens just for stage performances, you already have a lens that opens to F/2.8, just open your 70-200 to closer to or at F/2.8 for the extra shutter speed (F/4 to F/2.8 is one stop). Getting a lens that opens to F/2 is one more stop of light over the F/2.8, but a lot less DOF.

The problem with a wide lens is you will either be right at the base of the stage looking up at the performance or back and only shooting the whole stage.

If you are just shooting these performances as a hobby. Keep the body and lens that you have. If you will be getting paid, look into getting a newer body with a higher iso range.The 60D and 7D are the next bodies up that have a higher iso range. If these will be paid gigs, i would look into a full frame body. A newer used body is cheaper than the 135mm L lens.

Decent shot. The stage lighting seems to be pretty bright with way more than just one or two light sources. This make your job easier, but can make the photo much less dramatic. I have shot these kinds of events fairly regularly and generally aim for 1/125-1/200 minimum SS, f/2.5-3.5. with my XSi I generally stayed at ISO 800 and pushed SS and aperture. The 6D can handle higher ISO.

If the shadows were a bit darker, the shot might be a little more interesting. That would also buy you a little more wiggle room with you camera settings.

Thanks guys for your comments.i am planning to buy used 5d mkii.
Does anyone have experience in buying used gear?
Suggestions are welcome.
Thanks once again.

I've bought a few things with good results, but you should look at the "Stickys" here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdis​play.php?f=88

Had very good experience using ebay UK in UK. Not cheapest way but all my stuff has been fine. Be careful to thiurougly research what you are bidding on - e.g. I looked at a nice oldish sigma lens, but it was incompatible with my 5D3. Gumtree is cheaper, and I have sold lenses on it.