Graduation - in a gym - custom WB & lens

My son is graduating 8th grade this Friday, and these things are held in the school's gym - it's a private school and not like public school where the graduations are normally held outside in sunshine.

Because I am hearing impaired, I'm going to get seats as close to the front as possible. Unfortunately, I still do not have a tripod, only a monopod with head. I know I must use my flash (580 ver. I) with this kind of lighting and set my WB w/ gray card for the best results. But my problem is deciding which of my lenses to use. Generally, the 24-105 is what I normally use for walk-around in a non-sports situation, however that's a F4 lens. The 50 1.4 is the fastest I own, but it doesn't have much reach, and the longest is the 70-200 2.8, which may be too much for a gym situation. I'm referring to shots from the seats when my son receives the diploma on stage. For the congrats shots after the ceremony with his friends, etc., for that without question I would use the 50 1.4 or the 24-105.

So, if you were in my shoes, with no tripod, monopod only and going to be handheld, which of these would you use from the seats for the moment of the diploma reception on stage? Body is 30d.

I posted this question here in flash only because it will be in a flash situation. If I posted in the wrong area, sorry.

Thanks.

Pat

I am in a similar situation and am waiting for a response from others right now. I am hoping I do not have to go to the 85L 1.2 just for this! =)

I have the 70-200 2.8 IS for these situations without a flash and with correct WB on the 5D, it's perfect. I recommend you go there a day or two early, decide what settings you'll need and go with that. I do use a flash with a white card attached and I don't use a monopod, just handheld. I set ISO around 800 and 1/60 as slowest, usually faster shutter and it's been fine for me. The 50 1.4 will be too shallow and hard to get the right focus. I know my 85 1.8 is wonderful. Took graduation pictures with it 4 years ago from very far away and pictures were fine without flash. But you can take the 24-105 and add the 580 with white card and you should be fine.

70-200 IS all the way. Unless you can go beforehand and know exactly where you'll be sitting with respect to the stage. Throw a flash on for good measure if you're allowed to use it.

I can't imagine the 70 being too long unless you're ridiculously close. Also keep in mind which direction he'll be walking across the stage. I missed that for my sister's high school graduation.. my brother failed to properly communicate the direction, haha.

If you're using a flash, then most of your worries should be at rest. You can shoot a faster shutter speed fill the light you need, and shoot in raw and fix white balance later. ..

Use your 24-105 if you're going to be that close. That's a very nice range. Plus you're not stressing over shallow depth of field. You want a greater depth of field at least f4 or even 5.6 to get everything in focus and go from there. You're monopod will be just fine too. I've shot some really big concerts with monopods and gotten very good results. Plus you'll probably want your flash if it's too dark and you can't find you're focus. Again, if you're using your 580, you really don't have that much to worry about. You can switch to hi speed sync and go above 1/250 to freeze action a little better, but I would practice this before I use it for my son's graduation.

The lens focal length will depend on the distance you end up from the subject. But if you are in the range I would use the 70-200. It's a great lens with a good range and excellent speed.

If you are only going to take 1 photo, then I think you will be fine with flash. I would suggest using the 24-105, iso 200, M with f/8 and SS of 60 and the Flash in E-TTL mode. That should give you a very fine photo.

If you are taking multiple shots, you really can't use flash. 2 issues - the flash recycle time plus the distraction it causes to everyone else at graduation. But your 30D is very good in low light, I really don't think you need flash. Here is an example.

This is graduation in a relatively dark HS gym. 40D and 70-200 IS lens. ISO 1600, f/4, SS 1/160 (needed to be careful of motion blur with girls walking). IS on. Kept exposure just to the right of -2. Shot in RAW with simple PP. No Flash. I was in the stands ~ 75 ft from the stage.

I want to thank everyone for your input. I need to get to the gym early to get my seats, so while I am waiting, I guess I'll have to try each lens beforehand and see what feels right. Hopefully I don't mess this up.

Going from past experience with this school at graduations (the kid for Friday is kid #3 out of 4 in total), they allow the kid to stop momentarily and the parent to come forward to snap the moment of the handing of the diploma. So I think a flash is not going to interfere with that part of it, but while - like taking general snaps of procession, and other things, there the flash would be interfering, so I'm going to take your advice and be prepared to not use flash for those times.

Since more of you agree that the 70-200 is the nice one, I'm going to try that first, and then step down to the 24-105 and see how that length does from my seat. The 30d - while it does do nice at 1600 iso, I'd rather not go that high if I can avoid it, because I'll probably get noise. I'd like to go no higher than 800 iso if I can swing it with the available light and flash. It does help that it will be a 3 pm thing, and although inside, the light from the windows into the gym will help a bit I think.

I promise to post some shots for you as a thank you.

Pat

Nice shot, Tim. I love my 70-200 IS on the 40D also. But with the 5D at concerts, it's even better. I think the best thing to do is practice here. I would shoot Av, as wide as you can and go ISO 1200-1600. See what you get.

ust82gopher wrote in post #5689231
If you are only going to take 1 photo, then I think you will be fine with flash. I would suggest using the 24-105, iso 200, M with f/8 and SS of 60 and the Flash in E-TTL mode. That should give you a very fine photo.

Those settings would likely give you a black hole back background, depending on the lighting. I'd go with something like ISO800, F4, 1/60th or so, but experimentation is important. P mode works surprisingly well.