Circus

The american shows tend to be well lit, however the French shows are darker. If your seating is close, a 24-105 would be preferred, however, might bring both lenses if possible.

artyH wrote in post #17460199
I called the arena and booking agents for the circus, and there are no prohibitions about cameras. Not surprisingly, they don't want flash. I can see the value of the 24-105 and the 6D, but I wonder about image quality with ISOs over 6400 and F4. I may try some quick experiments in advance of the show, but I would be hate to be over ISO 12800. An initial check showed a loss of color quality when you go that high.
My wife already told me that I am expected to get photos of my grandson, preferably riding on an elephant.

Heya,

You should be able to do this.

Shoot in RAW. Dial in ISO 6400 and ISO 12800. Expose to the right, by a good full stop or so, even 1 & 1/3rd of a stop, just before highlight clipping would occur. When you go back to these images in post, you will dial down overall exposure a bit. It will help you deal with the grain/noise. Experiment and practice with high ISO in a dimmly lit room before you head to the circus to do it. You will be pleasantly surprised, the 6D can handle it.

Very best,

Thanks for the feedback. Even with JPEGs, results were decent at ISO 8000 and 10000, with EC set at +1/3. I won't be carrying a big bag of lenses, and will have to make it work with one lens, likely the 24-105. Back in film days, you couldn't even dream about these sorts of ISO levels. I recall pushing Tri-x a stop.
A trip to the circus meant ISO 400 print film, or slightly faster Ectachrome.

artyH wrote in post #17460199
My wife already told me that I am expected to get photos of my grandson, preferably riding on an elephant.

Opportunities are dwindling, see...http://www.foxnews.com …t-acts-from-performances/.

No elephants because of the protests outside of the arena grounds.
Lighting was good, except for a gymnast, where he was in near darkness. ISOs went up to 10,000 given the shutter speed I needed.