First Gig, and full of questions...

[Pehpsi]

G'day

Firstly, do you think if i order a Nikon 50mm 1.8 from here, it's possible arrive by next wednesday?

Anyway, I'll be shooting my first gig next week, and although not expected to get Pro results, I would like to increase my chances of getting a decent shot or two. It will be typical indoor band lighting, (apparently low lighting i was told).

If i have to use my 18-70 f3.5-4.5, i'm thinking of these kind of settings:

1/100, f3.5, ISO 1000-1600, spot meter

What kind of focus mode is better for this stuff, continuous?

Cheers, any help appreciated...

[Oz_Beachside]

Firstly, do you think if i order a Nikon 50mm 1.8 from here, it's possible arrive by next wednesday?

more than likely, but you are cutting it fine... and, if you can, perhaps consider the sigma 30mm 1.4 for low light light this (wider aperture, AND wider focal length means more light).

1/100, f3.5, ISO 1000-1600, spot meter

on that lens, you will only get f3.5 at the wide end, and that focal length may be too wide for some styles, at 70mm it will be 4.5.

You havent mentioned a flash...
I would get an SB800 before buying another lens. I would think the kit lens with a SB800 might be more suitable, particularly if you are in a black tee-shirt haven...

[young_einstein]

If this is anything like you're typical pub/club, you're not going to get anywhere near 1/100 @ f/3.5!

EDIT: <a href="http://www.davidtomic.com/gallery/2644445/2/139727374#139727374">This set</a> was shot f/2.8 @ ISO1600, and I still only managed between 1/25 - 1/60 sec exposures.

[Oz_Beachside]

or, if you get stage access, the 12-24 and an SB800 could work a treat too...

[gstark]

G'day

Firstly, do you think if i order a Nikon 50mm 1.8 from here, it's possible arrive by next wednesday?

Do you believe in miracles?

Seriously, while it's possible, I cannot guarantee it: You have several hurdles .... the banking system being your first one.

For it to be in your hands on Wednesday next week, it would need to leave HK at the very latest by Monday, and we would need for Poon to have shipped it UPS, and for there to be no hold-ups in delivery.

None of which can be guaranteed ....

And we have still not given the banking system its three business days that it needs to move your payment into Poon's account.

Anyway, I'll be shooting my first gig next week, and although not expected to get Pro results, I would like to increase my chances of getting a decent shot or two. It will be typical indoor band lighting, (apparently low lighting i was told).

Yep, that's typical. While it may not seem like much difference, if you're going to be doing a lot of shooting in those sorts of conditions, you should seriously consider the 1.4.

If i have to use my 18-70 f3.5-4.5, i'm thinking of these kind of settings:

1/100, f3.5, ISO 1000-1600, spot meter

What kind of focus mode is better for this stuff, continuous?

Cheers, any help appreciated...

What body are you using?

Consider the following settings ...

ISO 200, f/5.6, spot meter, 1/20 - 1/60, rear curtain sync, and flash set to -1.3.

Focus ... whatever works in the conditions.

[Pehpsi]

I see..

(Forgot about the f4.5 end too

It's actually at the Hopetoun, Surry Hills.

I don't have an external flash, but wouldn't use it anyway, don't wanna piss people off, or the band

Might just buy a 50mm from a shop, i need one anyway..

I do have my 12-24 f4, but would rather get close face type shots..

[young_einstein]

Consider the following settings ...

ISO 200, f/5.6, spot meter, 1/20 - 1/60, rear curtain sync, and flash set to -1.3.

I'm curious, have you ever actually tried shooting a dark pub/club at those settings?

I honestly can't see it working out [at all] ... but I'll reserve final judgement for the moment.

[Pehpsi]

I'd rather ISO 1600 no flash, than ISO 200 with flash, if possible. Think my best bet is to buy a 1.4 or 1.8 which i really want anyway.. I only have a few hundred bucks, so i think a 1.4 might be too much.

[Pehpsi]

If this is anything like you're typical pub/club, you're not going to get anywhere near 1/100 @ f/3.5!

EDIT: <a href="http://www.davidtomic.com/gallery/2644445/2/139727374#139727374">This set</a> was shot f/2.8 @ ISO1600, and I still only managed between 1/25 - 1/60 sec exposures.

Only 1/25-1/60? I didn't realize this is what i will be facing... I have a steady hand, and after a few beers to calm the nerves should be ok. Hopefully i can at least match my focal!

Nice shots too

[young_einstein]

I don't have an external flash, but wouldn't use it anyway, don't wanna piss people off, or the band

Flash can certainly be helpful at times, but you need to be really quite careful if/when/how you actually use it.

More so than pissing people off, it can kill off any nice ambient lighting and turn your photos to complete shit! Not good!

[young_einstein]

Only 1/25-1/60? I didn't realize this is what i will be facing...

That was probably a bit darker than most venues I've been to.

Still, I'd expect you to struggle getting 1/100 @ f/3.5 in pretty much most places!

Nice shots too

[gstark]

Consider the following settings ...

ISO 200, f/5.6, spot meter, 1/20 - 1/60, rear curtain sync, and flash set to -1.3.

I'm curious, have you ever actually tried shooting a dark pub/club at those settings?

I honestly can't see it working out [at all] ... but I'll reserve final judgement for the moment.

All the time.

The flash is just enough to give me the primary subjects, and at the same time it kills the (typical) deadly red lighting that many venues seem to thrive on.

Slowing the shutter speed lets more of the available light in which helps you balance the flash, but it also permits a bit of subject movement. Drumsticks, for instance. While it's not too noticeable on drumsticks, the rear curtain sync ensures that any subject/movement blur follows, rather than leads, the moving objects.


D70, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/60, Spot, built-in flash





ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/25, Spot, built-in flash




ISO 200, f/6.3, 1/60, Spot, built-in flash

[gstark]

More so than pissing people off, it can kill off any nice ambient lighting and turn your photos to complete shit! Not good!

Which is why you dial it back to -1.3 ... so it provides fill, and gives you many more options than you might otherwise have.

And if it's a matter of using flash, or getting no images at all, as it often can be the case ....

[Pehpsi]

Cool, thanks guys

I'll see what i can do. This should test my abilities i guess...

I'll be shooting RAW, and i have NoiseNinja to help with the high ISO's if needed.

[young_einstein]

All the time.

The flash is just enough to give me the primary subjects, and at the same time it kills the (typical) deadly red lighting that many venues seem to thrive on.

Hmmm .... not really my cup of tea I must admit!

[firsty]

Phepsi
I have a 50mm 1.8 here you can borrow if need be
PM me to work out how to get it to you in time (you might want to have a play with it first to get use to it)

[seeto.centric]

mr phepsi! use the 70-200vr for the head shots like you wanted.. its definitely handy albeit painful to lug around for the night. not too much beer is a good idea lol

depends how well lit the place is, but as others have mentioned, sometimes its a dilemma of flashing but killing the lighting/ annoying performers/ affecting experience of patrons but getting the job done. or not flashing and failing to get the job done.
again, as gary said, use the flash for fill, not for straight lighting.
when is the gig? my SB800 should be free then next week or so.
as for the 50/1.8, cheap lens, some kind soul here im sure wouldnt mind missing their's for a little
id lend you my tamron 28-75 but its pretty much my walkabout these days. 18-70 sits on shelf.

settings wise, start at whatever ISO you think is most suitable then increase or decrease accordingly.
one problem i absolutely HATE with the D70s is how it blows out reds when it comes to shooting this kinda stuff.. (may be a common shortcoming of digital sensors?)

-j

[gstark]

one problem i absolutely HATE with the D70s is how it blows out reds when it comes to shooting this kinda stuff.. (may be a common shortcoming of digital sensors?)

Perhaps ... the D200 isn't as bad, but it's another reason I use the flash ... again, using it as fill helps to address this issue, in those venues that are lit in this manner.

[PiroStitch]

scope it out on the night. take a few test shots and see if there is enough light. don't forget with pub gigs, the sharpest shot isn't necessarily the best - it's more about style.

personally i go for available light as i don't want to annoy other patrons with the flash. iso800+, widest aperture and adjust shutter speed to suit. In terms of metering, I usually leave it on centre weighted.