Advice on night shots

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discoian

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Ian
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Hello there folks

I have a Canon 450D with the stock lens that comes with it.

In my day (well night really I guess) job I am a pro wedding dj and whilst the songs are playing I like to shoot some pictures of a happy dancefloor and maybe the bride and groom whilst they are doing their first dance.

So basically i'm looking for some advice on the best lens to get that will give me what I want which is in-focus shots of the dancefloor in front of me (about 10m distance from where I stand).

Needs to be fairly wide angle, I looked at a f1.8 50mm and it's too close, maybe about half that.

Obviously part of my problem is that i'm trying to shoot moving objects in low-light.

I'm a complete and utter photography noob so any advice you can offer will be fantastic!

Many many thanks!
 
Canon EF 35 f/1.4L, it's a masterpiece.
 
Or if thats too pricey, Canon 35mm f/2
 
Flash too, to freeze the movement?
 
Thanks for all of your advice, very much appreciated.

I might try hiring a lens because if the EF 35mm f/1.4L does "exactly" what I want whereas the less-pricey F/2.0 does "almost" what I want then i'd rather save up for the f/1.4L.

I'd rather not use the flash as I think you lose a lot of the "ambience", my lighting already provides enough light, I just want an in-focus shot!

Ok well see what happens!
 
I play in a wedding band and sometimes take my DSLR to gigs. The 35 f/2 is a good recommendation and ive used mine many times to good effect.
I know you said you would prefer not to use flash but with a flash like the Canon 430EXII you can bounce it and get nice, atmospheric shots. After all, thats what the official photographer is probably doing. Ive got some nice shots like this.
One thing to watch out for if you do is to not use it while the official photographer is shooting, especially the first dance,
 
Interesting point you make about the official photographer...I always ask, reply is always the same "don't worry, everyone else is taking pictures so shoot away".

So the 430EXII. I've just sold my Nikon D60 body to get the 450D and I had an el-cheapo Nissin Di622 and that was pretty rubbish to be fair. What's so fantastic about the 430EXII?

Main problem was the pictures were either way too bright or way too dark...maybe I didn't understand how it was meant to work...
 
The depth of field on that 35mm f1.4 is going to too shallow to shoot a dance floor, go for the flash solution.

Steve

Sent from my iPad using TP Forums
 
You could buy a 60D and a 35/2 for less than the price of a 35/1.4L. A 60D + 28/1.8 would work out roughly even. You could also buy a secondhand 5D and the 50/1.8 might magically turn out to be perfect.

I'm not saying these are better options, but just thinking outside the box.

DOF and FOV calculators on this page - http://www.tawbaware.com/maxlyons/calc.htm
 
Personally, if you want one lens (and i'm guessing you're not after buying a bag full) I'd look a both the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 It'll give you a good range on a crop sensor.

As for flash, I think you will need one. Trying to do everything with available light is great, but there comes a point where it just isn't possible. With you camera you may hit the limit for focus in low light before you run out of light for exposure with a f/1.4 lens.

Have you thought about getting your flash off the camera? If you had a radio trigger it could be on the lighting rig, and thus it wouldn't change the lighting direction in the photo.
 
as long as you can bounce the flash and don't aspect miracles , a 35 f2 or similar is more than enough
 
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