Looking for some advice...

[68lbs]

...but rather than ask blindly, I'm going to try and answer my own question. I'm really just after a nod or shake, or any additional help people might be able to offer.

We've got tickets for Harrogate Flower Show at the weekend, and this will be my first time with the camera. For those who don't know the show, it's not like Chelsea with great show gardens or anything, and is more floral marquis and nursery displays. So indoors (sort of) and quite dark with people milling around. The sort of shots I'm thinking i'd like to get are single blooms, nice blurred background, etc. I'm thinking people with wedding experience might be able to advise me as they should be used to some marquis work etc.

Now... I don't want to be carting around a shed load of gear and am thinking I'd like to keep it to one lens. These are my choices...

1. Canon 70-300 IS - too long and not good enough in low light.
2. Sigma 10-20 -
3. Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro - good low light, allow me to stand back a bit or get right in close, might be a little too long, but a good option.
4. Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 - good low light, a zoom for flexibility, but no macro.

So... I am thinking the Canon 100 would be my favourite as it should allow my pic out individual blooms quite nicely.

However, there is another option. I am worried about the low light and don't want to up the ISO too much as my camera seems to get very noisy. So I was wondering whether a 'nifty' might be a good idea? Cheap, f/1.8 and useful for the future. Ok, so in most cases I am thinking my 24-70 would cover things, but for lightweight, low light... :shrug: What d'ya think?

And then to further muddy the waters, I also have a flashgun. But I don't know how to use it and I don't have one of those little condom things for it, which I am guessing I would need to try and soften the light. And I wouldn't be able to bounce the light off a marquis roof!

My gut reaction is to go with the 100 Macro. If I can get a nifty at a good price in time, go with that instead but take the Macro in my pocket (ooh er!) in case I prefer a macro and there's enough light.

Ok... I'm slightly more unsure about what to take now... help!

 

[will69]

My gut reaction is to go with the 100 Macro. If I can get a nifty at a good price in time, go with that instead but take the Macro in my pocket (ooh er!) in case I prefer a macro and there's enough light.

Ok... I'm slightly more unsure about what to take now... help![/QUOTE]

:shake:

100mm macro way too restrictive by it's self. I would go with the 24-70 and take the 100mm in a small bag.

 

[68lbs]

Glad I asked!

I thought the macro would let me get in nice and close for some detail shots. :shrug:

 

[photon]

The macro would be good for a single bloom at arm's length, but too restrictive if you want a few metres for a whole display and people are getting in the way.

If the marquee roof or sides are white(ish), you can bounce your flash off them. Remember to set your WB and shoot RAW. If you have a pull-out catchlight card in the flash, use it, with the flash head angled slightly forward from vertical. Otherwise, make a card (from a card index or a white plastic bottle) and attach it with a rubber band or self-adhesive Velcro.

For the flash shots, use manual, meter the scene and set for one to three stops underexposure. Take a shot and judge any flash exposure compensation required, checking the histogram. Adjust as required and set WB. Bear in mind that at close range and high ISO with wide aperture you may be outside the design envelope of the flash and may get on better with a manual flash setting or reducing the effective range by bouncing or other light modification.

 

[68lbs]

Thanks Photon... I was hoping not to use flash though. It scares me! And i'd rather practice at home before using for real. Is flash going to be my best option? Looks like I might need to do some practicing over the next 2 evenings. The flash is a 580EX, but i've only used it once as, like i say, it scares me. It's like getting ready to take a shot in dim light, then someone turns on the lights... and everything goes out of the window. IMO.

FYI I almost always shoot manual, and always RAW, auto WB.