30D concert settings

So, I got my 30D, and I have press and photo credentials to Creation Fest. I was outside taking some "practice" shots. 30D is a large change from the S2 IS, LOL. I will be shooting daytime and nightime concerts for a period of 4 days. I was wondering if you all can give me some advice on what settings I need for the day, dusk, and night. My practice photos are... let's just say there is no need to keep them. So any advice on ANYTHING would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

-Brandon

What lenses do you have? The faster (small f/ number) the better.

I just shot a dance dress-rehearsal in near'darkness with my XT and the 85 1.8 and had to use ISO 1600(!!!) f/1.8 @ 1/500sec, but got some halfway decent pics.

o wow, im so bad at this... here are the only numbers I could find:

28-135mm

0.5/1.6ft

72mm

It came with the 30D when I bought it

That's a fairly slow lens, but does have the advantage of IS, if it's turned on. The same things apply to your 30D as to your S2. The same answers I gave to your S2 questions also apply, get a book(I suggested Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson several times in the small compact digital cameras forum)and learn the relationships between ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. Then you'll know what settings to use. There are no shortcuts here, as there were none there. Understanding how to expose a photograph for what you are trying to acheive is the only way.
I could tell you to use f/xx @ 1/xxx ISO xxxx, but that may or may not be the correct setting for your situation. Use the right ISO, shutter speed, and apertures in conjunction with the histogram for your situations and you'll get good photos. If this all sounds like greek to you then you have a lot of reading to do.

jswanson3 wrote in post #3419580
It's hard to give specific lens recommendations without a price range, but I would pick up some fast primes or maybe f2.8 zooms (24-70mm, 70-200mm). Learn to use the spot metering. How did you get a photo pass?

I work for an online "magazine" which you can find at Tommy2.net. It's kid/teen oriented, but gives me the opportunity to shoot acts that I like. I have gotten credentials the past 2 years, but only used the S2. And I got some VERY good photos with my S2, so I am not too worried about that lense. Just the right combinations os settings...

casaaviocar wrote in post #3419633
That's a fairly slow lens, but does have the advantage of IS, if it's turned on. The same things apply to your 30D as to your S2. The same answers I gave to your S2 questions also apply, get a book(I suggested Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson several times in the small compact digital cameras forum)and learn the relationships between ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. Then you'll know what settings to use. There are no shortcuts here, as there were none there. Understanding how to expose a photograph for what you are trying to acheive is the only way.
I could tell you to use f/xx @ 1/xxx ISO xxxx, but that may or may not be the correct setting for your situation. Use the right ISO, shutter speed, and apertures in conjunction with the histogram for your situations and you'll get good photos. If this all sounds like greek to you then you have a lot of reading to do.

I will start reading to try and get the hang of this, thanks

you should be able to get decent pictures during the day with that lens but when it gets dark, you might have problems. IS will not freeze action on the stage and unless your subject is standing still I think you will have trouble getting sharp pictures...even at high iso. I think this is a case of needing the right equipment for the job. at a minimum i think you need a 2.8 or faster.

Brandon,

Were talking no flash and at ISO 1000, or 1250, or 1600 or even 3200...
I have the 28-135 IS... But I only use my primes at the concert venue... I use the 50mm f1.4 and the 85mm f1.8 most often...

I also have the 24-70mm f2.8L and the 70-200mm f2.8L IS... I'll be using them on my 30D this Saturday nite at a 19th Century Opera House...

Any lens slower than f2.8 will give you problems...(Don't forget...Save, Save, Save and buy once)... Look at the "L" line of fast primes and the "L" line of fast zooms...

EDIT: Also consider the Canon EF-S 17-55 F2.8 IS... It is receiving rave reviews from those using it in the Wedding and Performing Arts section....

I'm going to the Opera House right now to check it out...

Later...

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