S6000fd Maybe

[Crash_Video]

Hi,

Here’s the shot I need to get-

It’s an elementary school awards ceremony.
The setting is the school cafeteria. The lighting is pretty low, a marginal combination of incandescent and fluorescent.
I’m seated in the front row of a crowd of parents 40 feet from a podium where my son is about to receive a certificate for attendance.

My F30, using commonly posted recommended settings (Manual,-1/3EV, Auto1600, etc) takes the shot at ISO 1600 but the flash doesn’t have sufficient range and the zoom isn’t long enough to fill the frame so I end up with an image that, when cropped, is not really good enough even for 4x6 prints. Moving closer is not an option. A tripod and longer exposures get me blurry kids (five-year-olds in motion? Go figure … :)

I don’t have the cash for a DSLR right now, so I’m considering an ultra-zoom to better capture the moment. $400 max ... preferably $300. I’m not committed to brands. Previous cameras have been a Toshiba PDR-3300 and a Sony DSC-P72. I do like my F30 very much and so I am intrigued by the S6000fd …

Think the S6K pull this off? Other options?

Thanks, Crash

[tim11]

Why -1/3 EV? That will darken the exposure for sure. This - ## E/V setting is recommended for bright subjects; I think.
S6000 can be regarded as F30 with longer zoom. I pulled similar tricks (small kids receiving awards) successfully with FZ20 ISO200, managing 1/40sec shutter duration... S6000 may suit your need.
Why don't you post a photo with exit data intact so I can better guestimate the lighting condition?

[Crash_Video]

Okay, example attached.
Why -1/3 EV? I was using settings that people had suggested tended to produce more reliable results than just leaving it on auto.
Thanks,
C.

[Tom_N]

Given your budget, zoom, and low-light needs, your best option might be a MiniDV camcorder with good optical zoom (20x or more), and a monopod or tripod to keep it steady.

It won't capture high-quality stills, but it will capture the moment.

[mattdm]

Okay, example attached.
Why -1/3 EV? I was using settings that people had suggested tended to produce more reliable results than just leaving it on auto.


As far as I know, this recommendation is meant for bright-light (i.e., outdoor daylight) shooting, not situations like this.

[tim11]

As far as I know, this recommendation is meant for bright-light (i.e., outdoor daylight) shooting, not situations like this.
Yes, -1/3EV is used for outdoors to reduce purple fringings. The image would be a little brighter if you didn't set -EV but the shutter speed would come down to about 1/80sec; still high enough to capture the moment.
I recommend S6000 as the best for the job. It won't get you the quality of National Geographic magazine, but it will surely capture Little Johny receiving his award for the family photo albumn.

[Crash_Video]

Thanks for the replies. I vow never to misuse the EV setting again.