What I learned and still some frustration

My girls are in a dance recital this coming Saturday. They have a dress rehersal the day of in the auditorium on stage.
Yesteday they had a dress rehersal in the studio.

What I learned:

The Domke F6 is great for changing lens and even batteries for a speedlite. I had just come from shooting pics of all the kids at church from new name badges about 150-200 flashes I estimate. (using Energizer rechargable 2500) didn't have time to recharge. So end up having to switch them out in the middle of shooting, easy access in and out of the bag was simple!
Also started with my 50mm 1.8 prime ( I'll get back to this ) and need more wide angle so had to put on the 18-55 kit lens. This was while the girls were dancing right in front of me in a tight studio room. Really starting to appreciate the bag!

I also learned from rabidcow, everyone should check this one out: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=150816

I stopped the lens down to f11, shoot in Manual with 420ex on and got some good shots!

Still frustrated:

The studio is very cramped with the dancers and parents around the edges. I wanted to use the 50 prime for sharpness and also for the ability to take some non flash pics, opening up the aperture and bumping the iso. But I kept finding my self needing a wider angle. Or with the flash on and trying to get a pic of my daughter in the second row of dancers, they move around and switch back and forth depending on the number, I would sometimes end up blasting the flash of the girl in the front row. Maybe I am expecting to much under these conditions. I mean the dancers are literally from 6 inches away from you maybe 10 to 20 feet but then ususally behind someone else. The best pics came from a number with alot fewer girls.

Well I am expecting much better results on Saturday afternoon at the rehersal at the auditorium. Suggestions are welcome.
I was considering using the 50 again without a flash since the stage lights will be on and going for some nice isolation shots of my daughters, looking for a portrait effect. but also may want to take some group shots. Don't want to be fumbling around though.

TIA,

Joe

Any advice?

Patience, grasshopper.

If that's your complete lens list, then yes, go with the 50. Set tungsten WB since if there are any gels on the lights you'll want to let them have their effect. You may be allowed to use flash at the rehearsal - ask the instructor and bring it along in case the light's not good enough at times.

Thanks Jon!

I will try to post some pics from Saturday tonight when I get home, maybe that would have helped my post. Just figured others had been in the same situation, and wanted to find out what worked for them.

Glad to see that Domke growing on you. I'd have felt terrible had you hated it after all the conversation. I realize that "hey dude, buy another lens," is a common response here, but in the situation of the dance studio, a 28 f/1.8 may have been handy. It isn't exactly "wide" on your XT, but it's about half the focal length of the 50mm and with some finangling, you can get the angle. If you are moving to the stage, then I'd be willing to bet that the 50mm will serve you well, and with the additional lighting the stage can offer you might be able to take a bite out of the wide aperture for greater DOF. You may also have enough light for a wide shot at 18mm at a higher ISO since the lens opens up to f/3.5. Just keep in mind that 1/80 s. freezes most subtle movement, and 1/120 s. freezes all but the fastest human action. I'd avoid use of the flash (this will be whole different ball of exposure wax!) unless you can get permission and access to a dress rehearsal.

Hi John,

Thanks, yes the F6 is growing on me.
I will actually be there for the dress rehersal, which is on the same stage with the actual lighting for the show. That is when most parents take their pics and video. Also I will be the second row for the performance that night and was planning on shooting with the 50 no flash of course. Just not sure about using flash in the rehersal, they may not let me anyway. Last year at a different auditorium it was not allowed even at the rehersal. One esception when the girls were done with their number, they all posed for a group shot at the edge of the stage. That is the one time I was thinking about using the 18-55 and the flash.

I'd at least try a few ISO 1600 shots with that kit lens wide open - you may be surprised. Good luck!

The 50mm focal length is just too long on a 1.6 crop camera. In my hands it feels all awkward, maybe I'm just hankering after the view I had with it on my film camera.
I'm keen on getting a 35mm f/2 or possibly the 28 f/1.8 to replace this 'standard' focal length.
I think the 50 is fine for portraits but that's about it.

If you can use flash, i think you'll be surprised at the kit lens if it is stopped down f/8-11

A studio is a lousy place to try to take dance shots, but 50mm should serve you well in the auditorium. Expect to move around quite a bit - zoom with your feet!

Forget the flash at the dress rehearsal - it will annoy people and obliterate the stage lighting. Crank the ISO to 1600 and keep the lense at f/2.8 or maybe f/2 in Av mode. This should give you fast enough shutter speeds to stop most of the motion.

Chimp often, watch out for "blinkies" on the LCD and keep an eye on the histogram. Use negative EC as needed if the background is darker than the dancers.

Stage lighting is tough, and fast moving dancers make it tougher. Take lots of shots and don't expect a high keeper ratio. Good luck!

Curtis N wrote:
A studio is a lousy place to try to take dance shots, but 50mm should serve you well in the auditorium. Expect to move around quite a bit - zoom with your feet!

Forget the flash at the dress rehearsal - it will annoy people and obliterate the stage lighting. Crank the ISO to 1600 and keep the lense at f/2.8 or maybe f/2 in Av mode. This should give you fast enough shutter speeds to stop most of the motion.

Chimp often, watch out for "blinkies" on the LCD and keep an eye on the histogram. Use negative EC as needed if the background is darker than the dancers.

Stage lighting is tough, and fast moving dancers make it tougher. Take lots of shots and don't expect a high keeper ratio. Good luck!

Thanks Curtis,

I was hoping to stay at 400 to 800 iso, but I know I will have to keep my shutter speed at in the mid 100's. I know what you mean about "blinkies" the stage is definately gonna have some bright spots, especially if I am shooting from "below" on the ground by the stage.

Ok here are some of the better pics

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Next time, get yourself under a white ceiling tile - not a light fixture - and try a bounce flash up.

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