first shoot with 5d... im worried

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

01/15/2008 09:48:14 AM · #1

i am shooting a rock concert for a double page spread in a uk magazine, im worried as my lenses are the 24 105 f4 and the 70 200 f4, i also have the 50 1.8, the gig will not allow flash photography, so im gonna be pushing it at iso 3200. Does anyone have any experience shooting with this set up?? i think the 50 isnt long enough.... please help, as in shall i use tv mode at a defined shutter speed or just use av at f4, also what metering do you think would be most effective (spot,partial,evaluative) any suggestions would be helpfull
//www.itchphoto.com

scarbrd

Leica M10

01/15/2008 09:59:10 AM · #2

Depending on how close you are to the stage, but my guess is your 70-200 will be good more most shots. The 24-105 for the occasional full stage image.

Set your meter to spot so you don't average in any really dark areas behind the performers.

ISO 3200 should be OK, but you will probably be shooting at full aperature most of the time. I'd use AV, set it to f4 and let the camera pick the shutter speed. If the show turns out to be consistantly brighter you can adjust the ISO to get better quality.

Good luck!

jeger

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

01/15/2008 10:16:58 AM · #3

I've shot two concerts, and I used the 24-105 because of the amount of available light. My experience is that the 70-200 doesn't work well in low light conditions, but I haven't used an ISO higher than 1600.

Here is a link to one concert I shot with my 5D.

Manic

DJI Mini 3 Pro

Kamlan 28mm F1.4 MF for APS-C

01/15/2008 10:26:42 AM · #4

If it's a paid shoot, you might want to consider renting a faster lens (eg the 70-200/2.8 IS, or the 85/1.2) for the day/week/weekend, as that'll give you the speed you need for a reasonable cost.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

01/15/2008 10:32:12 AM · #5

Depends a lot on the quality of lighting in the venue. Most of my experience has been with mid range venues, good lighting, name bands, crowds of 5000 or more. I find that a 2.8 is usually too slow to shoot. Most of the time I find I shoot at either f1.4 or f1.8, around ISO1600 to get consistently usable shutter speeds to stop someone jumping around on a stage.

If it is a better venue the lights will be brighter and you might be able to get away with it.

I typically shoot in manual mode - the light is changing so fast that you'll miss a lot of shots to blur or over exposure if you try to use any of the automatic exposure modes. I'll meter when the lights are bright, get a reading, shoot a test shot and eyeball it with the histogram. If you find you are getting speeds over about 1/100s I'd drop the ISO. Otherwise, shoot a lot - try to get a feel for the times of peak action in the performer. Typically they'll move and stop - shoot in those apex moments.

These examples are all 50mm from the pit in front of the stage, on a 1.3x crop factor camera. I also use an 85mm 1.8

Message edited by author 2008-01-15 10:33:21.

01/15/2008 10:51:35 AM · #6

thanks... my dad has got the 70 200 2.8 but i doubt he'll lend it out as it is a korn gig and it might be a bit crazy... i can borrow a freinds 24 70 sigma would that be any better???

lowonenergy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/15/2008 11:16:45 AM · #7

I find the sigme 24-70 pretty slow .. :)

NVPhoto

Canon EOS-40D

01/15/2008 11:19:42 AM · #8

I think the gear you have will be fine for a Korn show. There will be lots of stage lights, they are a major band. I would stay away from the sigma at all costs. I have owned that lens and I think it sucks. The f2.8 is useless, way to blurry... the widest you get with that is around 4+, not to mention the color is terrible as well.

I shoot lots of music and usually I am in dark venues, no where near the light of what a Korn show will be. I use ISO 1600 and either a 70-200 2.8 IS, 85 1.2, or 50 1.8 and sometimes the 24-70 2.8L. All these perform fine and thats with a XT. The 5D handles noise much better and offers you 3200 ISO. I think your gear is fine for this gig.

JM

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/15/2008 11:28:30 AM · #9

If you can get the 85mm 1.8 you'll have great fun. Provided you can gfet close enough of course. If you're not an 'official' photog you might not get frowned upon by security of the venue.

01/15/2008 12:31:39 PM · #10

im shooting for a magazine... im in the pit so i hope the 50 will be sufficiant, damn i wish i could afford faster lenses... i might sell my 24 105 for a 24 70 canon as im hoping to go into this type of photography.. i wish there was a cheaper lens to use with is but im just dreaming really

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

01/15/2008 02:21:39 PM · #11

Originally posted by itch:

An IS lens isn't going to help you much with a moving subject. You'll get a sharp stage and blurry musicians. The 85 1.8 is pretty reasonably priced and a whole lot faster to focus than the 85 1.2. Main problem I have with a 50 & 85 is being too close.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/23/2008 09:38:52 AM · #12

h0i everyone... i did the shoot... mostly with my 50 1.8... however a kind soul lent my the 24 -70 2.8 anyway the editor was really happy with the shots here are some examples please let me know what you think... i really want carry on being a gig photographer .. anyone have any suggestions on how to keep up the momentum???
//i54.photobucket.com/albums/g105/psymone25/forum-2.jpg
//i54.photobucket.com/albums/g105/psymone25/forum4.jpg
//i54.photobucket.com/albums/g105/psymone25/forum3.jpg
//i54.photobucket.com/albums/g105/psymone25/forum.jpg
//i54.photobucket.com/albums/g105/psymone25/forum-5.jpg

//www.itchphoto.com

Message edited by Manic - please keep images under 500px and 30kb, or post links or thumbs instead..

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

01/23/2008 10:38:22 AM · #13

DUDE You got to shoot KORN?!!!! Kick Ass! I love that band!!!

Great shots too!