Nigh Clubs 'settings'

Hi.
I shoot a lot at night clubs.
My gear is Canon 40D + Tamron 17-50 + 430 EXII + DIY card bouncer.

• Although this Tamron goes to f/2.8 I usually don't use a (so) bigger aperture - avoiding smaller DOF that can cause unfocused people (when big groups).
  (1) What should be, for the most cases, the correct aperture? What do your experience tells you?
  
• ISO normally stays at 200. Speed 1/40~50.
  (2) Should I increase ISO?
  
• 430EX II points directly to the (white) ceiling. (90 degrees)
  (3.1) I read that some users/photographers use 45 degrees angle. What should fine for most scenarios?
  The setting for the flash goes up to +2/3 in general.
  (3.2)
  
• My home made card bouncer (4x10 cms) may not suite for the best.
  Lumiquest Promax is popular bouncer.
  (4) Recommend me one please.

when I shoot events like clubs or parties, I usually have
Aperture around 4.0 - 5.6 depends on lighting.
ISO around 400
430exii at 45 degrees with a diffuser

http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1278604​003&sr=8-1

Em2 wrote in post #10499015
(...)http://www.amazon.com …ics&qid=1278604​003&sr=8-1

Thanks.

I already have one (similar) diffuser.
But normally i stick to the card bouncer.

I'm about the same as Em2 except I put my iso up to 800...anything after that and I personally don't like the noise.

+1 on the increased ISO

We have a similar set up but this was actually taken with the kit lens.

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why shoot at such a low iso? why not bring it up to 800 or 1250?

Check this thread for some AMAZING shots and user settings

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=415099

At a nightclub I tend to go a bit wider, either a 24-70 f2.8 or a 10-22...
either way I still keep my aperture at 4-5.6, ISO at 400 --

I keep my shutter a bit slower - maybe 1/8th even to pick up the cool ambient light
i keep my flash syncing at 1/125th or so just so the subject stays sharp and correctly exposed

for bigger shots of groups or crowds, I'll take aperture up to 8

Flash used is a 580ex (or exII) and I keep it at 45 degrees or straight up, but I use a Gary Fong lightsphere...its a bit pricy but as far as diffusers go - it has SO many great uses...

hope that helped - let me know if you want some examples

Thank you all.

btmlinedan wrote in post #10500531
why shoot at such a low iso? why not bring it up to 800 or 1250?

I value quality, but it's the habit mainly that rides me to use low ISO values.

Jmark11207 wrote in post #10500673
Check this thread for some AMAZING shots and user settings
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=415099

I've already cheeked that out, but there are more pics that info -.-

Another question, what suits for the best in general, card bouncer or diffuser?

ajrphotography wrote in post #10500754
(...)Flash used is a 580ex (or exII) and I keep it at 45 degrees or straight up, but I use a Gary Fong lightsphere...its a bit pricy but as far as diffusers go - it has SO many great uses...

I didn't know about this diffuser. I saw the video and look great. I might end buying one : )
Thanks

lightshphere has its uses but it depends on the venue
This shot was taken the the Fong in a spot where there is a huge polished aluminum dome that bounces flash back down beautifully

Jmark11207 wrote in post #10501078
lightshphere has its uses but it depends on the venue
This shot was taken the the Fong in a spot where there is a huge polished aluminum dome that bounces flash back down beautifully

Camera Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT
Exposure 0.3
Aperture f/3.5
Focal Length 46 mm
ISO Speed 400

My XT isnt as forgiving at a high iso
Tamron 17-50 2.8 lens

This second (picture) looks some much better than the first one.
It's this kind of shadows that I want (like).

I'm definitely get my hand on Fong!

I shot a few house parties at school where its dark-ish, and with my Tammy 17-50, I shoot at F/4 and up. F/5.6 is a good number for me and I usually stick it there because I can usually get groups of people in, and the "fairly" low aperture will help with exposing the background.

Like others, I use ISO 400-800 most of the time. Those settings usually leaves me with starting at a 1/30 shutter speed, and I will usually go lower if more ambient is need or higher if there's a lot more light.

And I use an omni-bounce diffuser with my flash head pointed 45 degrees, since the ceilings are usually too high to bounce.

That's just my 0.02. I'm by no means a pro club shooter though.

I usually shoot at around f/5.6, shutter speed about 0.4 - 1/6 and ISO at about 800. This is with a +1/3 flash compensation.

Check out my flickr and GambitLive.com for some of my work (and my colleagues).