eqiups for a night event?

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ivankathy14

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Ivan
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In august here in japan, a combine concert of different singers and bands; foreign and local will be playing. It's a 3 day event day and night.

So, can anyone suggest me some tips and a good/cheap equips I should buy for an event like this especially at night. I'll be using a Nikon D80 and I only have 2 lenses, a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 and a Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3.

I'm thinking of buying a flash since i'll be shooting at night but don't know what to choose, SB-600/700/900 or nissin di866.

I won't be covering this like profesionally:lol: I just want to take good photos of that event and I don't like using my camera's built in flash.
 
The camera flash might not be powerful enough and I don't think that I'd like to be using a powerful scene altering and attention grabbing flash anyway. I think I'd just use a wide aperture and crank up the ISO.

At f1.8 and ISO 1600 you might end up with a shutter speed of 1/80 and those settings / or similar might be enough.
 
woof woof said:
The camera flash might not be powerful enough and I don't think that I'd like to be using a powerful scene altering and attention grabbing flash anyway. I think I'd just use a wide aperture and crank up the ISO.

At f1.8 and ISO 1600 you might end up with a shutter speed of 1/80 and those settings / or similar might be enough.
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hmm.. that might do too. will there be any "noise" problem?
 
I don't know what the noise performance of your camera is like but I'd guess that for whole image shots it'll be ok, after noise reduction maybe.

I don't know what noise reduction software you're using. I use CS5 and find that ISO 1600 shots from my GF1 and 3200 shots from my 20D clean up ok. Is there any chance that you could shoot in similar conditions before you set off and see if you're happy with the results?
 
Hi Ivan, is this a large concert? I have always taken the view that (when taking images of the artists) using flash photography at a concert is a no-no as it can be distracting to the artist.

From the lens that you have listed I would look to use the 50mm F1.8 wide open. I would then try and keep the shutter time down to prevent motion blur by increasing the ISO to an acceptable level (probably around ISO 800 - ISO 1600)

If taking images of people in the crowd I would use the flash, with the camera in shutter prioty set at 1/25 and let the camera do the rest.

I hope that helps.
 
If using the on camera flash for people shots (something that I personally wouldn't do) I don't think that 1/25 would be a good shutter speed. With flash, even on camera flash in a concert type environment and even with lower ISO settings, you should be able to use a much higher shutter speed although I personally would (if I felt forced to use flash...) turn the flash down a bit.

Another problem would be holding a non IS 50mm steady at 1/25, not really reliably possible IMVHO.
 
woof woof said:
I don't know what noise reduction software you're using. I use CS5 and find that ISO 1600 shots from my GF1 and 3200 shots from my 20D clean up ok. Is there any chance that you could shoot in similar conditions before you set off and see if you're happy with the results?
Click to expand...

I use LR3 for noise reduction. but ill try what you suggested too. Thanks!
 
DaveKing said:
Hi Ivan, is this a large concert? I have always taken the view that (when taking images of the artists) using flash photography at a concert is a no-no as it can be distracting to the artist.

From the lens that you have listed I would look to use the 50mm F1.8 wide open. I would then try and keep the shutter time down to prevent motion blur by increasing the ISO to an acceptable level (probably around ISO 800 - ISO 1600)

If taking images of people in the crowd I would use the flash, with the camera in shutter prioty set at 1/25 and let the camera do the rest.

I hope that helps.
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Yes I agree using flash at a concert is a big no-no but I think that I wont be that near the stage. I can't call it a small or big concert because it has 3 stages and bands will be playing back to back. Red hot chili will be playing thats why i want to go lol!

Yeah i'll be shooting yhe artists to while they're on but maybe in a distance mostly i'll be shooting are people to. So i was thinking, i need a flash? Still thinking hehe. But i will still try what you suggested. Thanks!
 
If you are a distance from the stage, adding a flash will only light up the heads of those in front of you and probably throw off the metering so that the stage will look weird. Look at this photo:

3272079115_2b85933dc6_b.jpg


A flash would ruin it...
 
PS. I'd put money into fast lenses - perhaps 35mm and maybe a 24mm... Don't know what's available for Nikon - sorry :)
 
woof woof said:
If using the on camera flash for people shots (something that I personally wouldn't do) I don't think that 1/25 would be a good shutter speed. With flash, even on camera flash in a concert type environment and even with lower ISO settings, you should be able to use a much higher shutter speed although I personally would (if I felt forced to use flash...) turn the flash down a bit.
Click to expand...

The idea for using the flash and 1/25 is for the camera to expose for the ambient lighting and the flash to illuminate the people. The flash will freeze the subject, and any background lighting may blur but it will add atmosphere.

Have a read of this guide - it's very good and it works :)

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=268784
 
Ah, yes, I see what you mean. Using flash I'd go for a faster shutter speed but I see what you're aiming at as the slower shutter speed will make the background lighter.
 
You'll need a monopod....
 
50mm would do the trick, bump up the iso and reduce in lightroom later. Flash will make a mess of it IMO
 
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