Low Light Help Please

[MORRG]

I have recently purchased a Nikon D50 SLR camera and need help with setting it up for a certain scenario. I work in theatre and want to take photos of the performances that I work on. The problem that I am encountering is that when I use the flash it eliminates the dramatic effect of the lighting and sometimes doesnt work at all if the show uses smoke effects.

Ideally I would capture the images without using the flash and would capture the images as I would see them stage as an audience member.

Is there any way that this camera is going to do this well. For the record I would consider buying a different lens if it would help the camera to focus quicker, better in these low light conditions. The main priority is the colour and getting the actors in focus as they move about the stage.

Currentlens is: NIKON DX AF-S NIKKOR 18-55mm

I really need help because at te moment I am concerned that I am ding someting really wrong as the SLR camera wont take good pictures where a £100 point and shoot camera I had did it really well.

Any help appreciated. Thanks

[TNB]

What is that lens? An F/3.5-5.6? It seems that you need a much faster lens.

[jcon]

A couple options here, you could use the Nikon SB-800 Speedlight to get a more natural lighting effect with a flash(smoke, no white wash-out), or you could get a much better lens, the one you currently have is poor in these situations. Some people prefer fixed focal lenghts, i.e. 50mm, 60mm, 85mm, etc... and some prefer the standard zoom lens but with a low light capable F stop(2.8). It depends on personal preference and shooting needs. If you can get fairly close, a fixed focal length may be best for you as they offer a faster F stop(1.8) then standard low light zooms(2.8) Here are just a couple lenses to look into that will best help you with your situation...

Fixed Focal(all Nikon lenses)
-50mm 1.8D
-60mm 2.8
-85mm 1.8D
-105mm 2D

Zoom Lenses(Various brands)
-17-55mm 2.8(Nikon, the BEST!!)
-18-50mm 2.8(Sigma)
-70-200mm 2.8VR (Nikon)
-80-200mm 2.8 (Nikon and Sigma)

Those are just a few things to look at and give you an idea of what is out there. The SB-800 would be good to look into too. As you can see you have a little research to do. Some may argue you should have done this BEFORE you made your camera purchase. Good luck and feel free to ask away!

[tcadwall]

jcon is right... While I doubt that a flash is even allowed during a performance, it would be helpful for many other situations. an SB-600 or SB-800 would be good. The fastest lens that you can get that will still cover the focal length that you need will help you a lot for when you can't use a flash - this *could* cost more than your D50 kit. also a tripod or monopod will be very helpful in improving your success.

With my 18-200mm VR lens, my shooting percentage in this scenario is VERY low. IOW I shoot a LOT of pics and keep a few. This lens is also too slow for typical theater lighting.

Normally in the local performances that I am familiar with, a photographer is hired for staged photos (think posed like for weddings) for a collection of dress - rehearsal shots. Then the prints are posted in the theater before the show opens.

[Rooz]

i would imagine that in that environment with that lens you are going to really have to wind the ISO up. start at 800 and work your way up.

with the focussing i'd also consider where you are standing to take the photos. low light will slow the focus down and the camera needs somehwere where it isn't REALLY dark to improve your focussing speed.

[K1W1]

D50 with 50mm f1.8 or 50mm f1.4 lens
ISO 800 or 1600 depending on how bright the theatre lights are
Front row seats.

[jcon]

tcad, the only reason I mentioned flash was because the OP mentioned they already tried flash and had white outs from it, other wise, I totaly agree with you, most wouldnt allow flash.

Rooz, high ISO is good advice but with the lens the OP currently has, there is nothing that will help other than new glass.

I will refer you back to my first post, all of those lenses are great for low light. If you cant be "front row" then one of those zooms would be benefitial.

[TNB]

With my 18-200mm VR lens, my shooting percentage in this scenario is VERY low. IOW I shoot a LOT of pics and keep a few. This lens is also too slow for typical theater lighting.
Would that be because your lens is also an F/3.5-5.6mm?


D50 with 50mm f1.8 or 50mm f1.4 lens
ISO 800 or 1600 depending on how bright the theatre lights are
Front row seats.
And even then, there may be some motion blur (good or bad). Here's a photo I took with a 50mm F/1.4, ISO 800, and NO flash. Of course, I could have cranked up the ISO more. I was also very, very close.

http://image.rcuniverse.com/forum/upfiles/70716/Yv65848.jpg

[Rooz]

Rooz, high ISO is good advice but with the lens the OP currently has, there is nothing that will help other than new glass.

agreed. but by the same token, if you aint willing to fork out money for lens' and he's hitting photos at 400 iso, bumping it up to 1000+ is gonna at least get some useable shots while he decides on a lens to get the job done right.

[LR Max]

I find myself in low light A LOT. Unfortunately, my funds do not allow for mass purchasing of fine equipment so here is what I did:

I run a D70s (not that it should make much difference) with the 50mm f/1.8 lense. I also bought a decent monopod and two cheap tripods (the tripods aren't used a lot, I bought a regular full size tripod and then a mini-tripod). This setup works pretty good. It also works pretty good considering I hate using the flash, most of my pictures are without the flash.

Overall I've had pretty good luck with this setup. Most of the time I can jack the hell outta the ISO and not even need a monopod/tripod.

To me, it always seems like the flash is too strong, washing out the image (personal preference). If I have to use the flash, I throw it on *P* mode and play with the flash intensity along with the exposure. IMO, once you go with a flash, there isn't any reason to keep running a high ISO.

I cannot comment on the performance of the SB-600 or SB-800 because I have never used them. But I will be heavily investigating them in the near future.

[tcadwall]

Would that be because your lens is also an F/3.5-5.6mm?
yes... which is pretty much what I was saying. Fast glass is needed. Did you read what you quoted... that was the last sentence of your quote. "This lens is also too slow..."

[TNB]

yes... which is pretty much what I was saying. Fast glass is needed. Did you read what you quoted... that was the last sentence of your quote. "This lens is also too slow..."
Of course, you NEVER wrote the F/Stop range of your lens which was what my question was to you in order to help convey a point to the OP. Then again, perhaps someone expects everyone else to know the range of that particular lens. And don't you mean "typing" instead of "saying" despite the fact you never posted the F/Stop range of your lens on this thread in your response? And yes, I can get just as picky as you on a forum even if we are not in the same occupation. After all, "pretty much" saying is NOT the same thing as "saying" and/or posting it or perhaps, even writing code, i.e. if then vs. if pretty much then, go to. ;)

[MORRG]

Thanks for all your help. I've read all the comments so far and am coming to the conclusion that a fast zoom lense is a little out of my price range. As I am still learning I feel that the 50mm will allow me to experiment with getting better picture quality first with the possibility of purchasing a zoom at a later date. Being the lighting designer for some of the shows I want to take pictures of, getting closer shouldnt be too much of a problem. I generally find the 55mm on my current lense is acceptable so I have been looking at purchasing this lense. Please can people confirm that this would be a good choice:

http://www.waltersphotovideo.co.uk/details.php?id=JAA013DA

Thanks for all your help.

Matt

[jcon]

Yep, thats the lens you want. I am not sure of the store,so you will have to do your own homework on how trustworthy they are. I think you are doing the smart thing for now. Spending as little as possible til you KNOW what YOU need is a smart move, and adding this 50mm to your collection is a smart move! Good luck!