Low light stage & performance photography - suggestions

azicat · #1 09-17-2008, 05:25 AM

Hello everyone, I'm a new member so please go easy on me with my first question!

I have been shooting a fair amount of indoor low light photography lately. Examples of the jobs include school concerts and stage band / jazz band performances. My last job was on Sunday and I am shooting settings of 800 ISO / 1/60 sec shutter / F1.8 with a 28mm or 85mm lens. The camera is an old 1st generation Canon 1Ds.

I am looking to upgrade my equipment as anything above 800 ISO gets noisy, and it's not time efficient to run Noise Ninja through every single image. It would also be nice to improve my hit rate from reduced camera shake. I have tried a 70-200 2.8 lens but it's really not bright enough for hand held shooting with the 1Ds.

I'm looking for suggestions for how to approach the upgrade question. The ultimate goal is for reasonable image quality (up to 20x30" enlargements) with shutter speeds of at least 1/125 at F/2 or F/2.8. Contre jour lighting also features in a lot of images, so lens flare is a major issue.

1. APC sensor with 2.8 IS lens (eg Canon 40/50D with 17-55 IS 2.8) and existing 28 and 85 f/1.8 primes?
2. New generation FF sensor and use existing prime lenses? (eg Canon 5D or successor)
3. Get 70-200 IS lens (which means with 1Ds I'm down to 1/30 shutter anyway)
4. Switch to Nikon D700, which requires major reinvestment in equivalent Nikkors (which don't have USM focus)?

Option 1, 2 and 3 costs roughly the same, whilst Option 4 is a big investment.

My next big low-light stage job will be mid-December, so I'd be looking at upgrading the camera body before then.

Thoughts welcome.

Dennis_Vied · #2 09-17-2008, 12:04 PM

A Canon 5D would be perfect for you. It has higher ISO performance, slightly more MP. With the new 5D Mk II coming out, prices for new and good used 5Ds will be coming down soon. I have both the 1Ds and 5D. The 5D is a quantum improvement in every way over the 1Ds. As for lenses, the 70-200 2.8 is one of my main workhorse lenses. The 5D battery pack makes it easier to handle long lenses.

If the 1Ds megapixels are enough for you, then the 5D will be perfect.

DougAxford · #3 09-17-2008, 02:22 PM

I would go with the 50D if you are needing to keep the price down - the new 5D mark II if you can afford it. I disagree that a 5D is the way to go for high ISO. The 70-200 IS will add a few stops in image stability (they say 4 - I'm no so sure on that) but the 1.8's already have more than a stop improvement over the 2.8. I'd go 5D MarkII and use existing lens.

I can get good results with the 40D at 1,600 ISO for sure - 3200 is a stretch for my liking, especially with stage lighting. I expect the 2 new cameras will expand that 2 more stops.

Just my thoughts.

David_Buzzard · #4 09-17-2008, 03:26 PM

You'll see a huge drop in price of used 5D's, so if cost is your concern, that's a good way to go. If you have the means, go for the MKII.

David Buzzard

azicat · #5 09-18-2008, 02:28 AM

Thank you very much for your thoughtful replies. The new 5D really throws a spanner in the works regarding an upgrade path, especially as it seems it won't be released until December (which is when the photo shoot is scheduled - not much time for equipment testing!).

I think I'll end up shooting the job with the 1Ds (or renting an old 5D to try out) and then wait for the dust to settle with the new gear. Then I can do some testing and playing at leisure!

Cheers