DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Low light situations with a Canon 300D
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 04/26/2004 07:39:09 PM · #1
I'm loking for suggestions for a lens that will deal well with low light situations. I'm not talking dark just low enough light that my exposures are too long with the standard lenses. Mind you I'm also still learning my camera and it's my first DSLR as well so I'm also researching my image modes and other camera settings to enhance my image quality in less than stellar lighting (weddings don't always allow flashes during the ceremonies).
 04/26/2004 07:48:29 PM · #2
50mm 1.8 - great in low light and dirt cheap.

Any of the 2.8 lenses are also great in low light.

Usually you will want to up your ISO to 400 or even 800 in low light situations.
 04/27/2004 11:34:56 AM · #3
That's the second time that lens has been recommended to me, has anyone got any good sites on how to make the best use of ISO settings and such?

Like I said I'm very new to this camera.
 04/27/2004 11:45:56 AM · #4
Originally posted by Nightshade:
has anyone got any good sites on how to make the best use of ISO settings and such?


You should go to Luminous Landscape and look arounf for a bit. You will find a good tutorial there.
 04/27/2004 11:51:55 AM · #5
Are,

A good place to start is these lessons

Although some of them are quite basic, the writer makes them interesting and fun to go through and they really focus on your camera.
Dick
 04/27/2004 11:53:35 AM · #6
One thing you (or any other new DSLR owner) may want to consider checking out is the Short Course in Canon EOS Digital Rebel Photography eBook. (They also have them for a variety of other digicams as well, and offer a money-back guarantee.)

They also offer a variety of free online "short courses", such as this one on photographing flowes and other natural things.

Message edited by author 2004-04-27 11:54:10.
 04/27/2004 12:57:02 PM · #7
Originally posted by TerryGee:
50mm 1.8 - great in low light and dirt cheap.

Any of the 2.8 lenses are also great in low light.

Usually you will want to up your ISO to 400 or even 800 in low light situations.


If you have the money then I think the 50mm 1.4 lens is also very good (haven´t tryied myself).
Also you can shoot at ISO 1600 but then the images are getting a bit grainy. In some circumstances that can be fixed by NeatImage or similar programs.
 04/27/2004 02:28:23 PM · #8
I do mostly low light wildlife and nightime aurora and ice art photography with my Canon 10D - which is the big brother to your 300D.

A fast prime lens not the only solution in low light:

- Having a monopod or decent tripod will allow you use lower than normal shutter speeds. Using a remote or cable release for the shutter in conjunction with a tripod will help immensely.

- In situations where a monopod or tripod is unacceptable - consider adding an image stabilized zoom lens to your camera bag. It will allow you to go well below normal hand held shutter release speeds - and - gives you a chance to zoom in and catch the picture correctly the first time.

- At ISO EQ 400 on the Digital Rebel your pictures will be fine. At ISO EQ 800 and 1600 you can easily clear up the noise/gain using the despeckle command in Photo Shop Elements that came with your camera. Another program called Neat Image is highly recommended to fix noise.

- The 50mm F1.8 and F1.4 lenses mentioned above are nice, but, they are going to be 80mm when attached to your 300D. (there is the 1.6x factor to constantly keep in mind). Likewise - you are only going to see a benefit from these prime lenses if you shoot at these low f-stops. Take a piece of cardboard and poke a standard pencil right through it - do the same thing 2" away but only poke a smaller hole as thick as the lead. The large hole represents F/1.4 and the smaller hole F/8 Just like peep sights in a competition rifle - you should notice that objects appear better focused when viewed through the smaller hole. What this little experiment tells you - using a fast prime lens at F1.4 and F1.8 needs to be restricted to scenes sharing the same focal plane - such as infinite (landscape), indoor pictures of groups of people, and pictures around the campfire come out good. On most all others expect the focus to be soft - and sometimes it is way too soft.

So, with all that said ........and I assume your camera came with the 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 ........ is can you live with a monopod, tripod, cable realese/remote release, and upping the ISO to get you where you want? If not, will one of the smaller IS zooms help you?

Your last choice is selecting a new prime lens. Best way to make this selection is look over the exif data on all the picture that came out bad. See what focal setting they were shot at and average it out. Lucky for you, you already have that 18-55mm to experiment with. If your decision is to purchase a new fast prime lens - buy one based on a specific appliation or use that you need. Don't pick a middle of the road model that will fill some of your needs most of the time - get one that kicks @ss in specific types of photography you do and enjoy the results!
 04/27/2004 08:02:05 PM · #9
Thanks I already have neat image and Photoshop CS. Most my efforts up till now have been photorepair and graphics creation, not digital photography. I use a tripod/monopod whereever I can but this is not possible in about 50% of the usage I have thus far found myself within so more direct measures seam in order. One of my big issues is weddings. I'm using the camera in weddings and thus far even the low light situations I've gotten good shots. The problem has been the amount of post processing required to balance the lighting. Very work prohibative. I'll likely try the 50mm 1.8 as it's been recommended repeatedly and I also want to get a good IS lens to add to my outfit. The problem is making sure what I buy is good for as much overall use as possible (as mentioned above). Funds are running out though so I'm trying not to spend more than I have to as I still want Flash stands to go with my system and an expensive lens or two will kill me on finances.

Thanks for the links as well I will check them later tonight or tomorrow as work permits too.
 04/28/2004 05:56:03 AM · #10
Originally posted by Glacierwolf:
- At ISO EQ 800 and 1600 you can easily clear up the noise/gain using the despeckle command in Photo Shop Elements


Can you Glacierwolf, or anyone else explane this a litle better?
 04/28/2004 08:02:37 AM · #11
Originally posted by Nightshade:
Thanks I already have neat image and Photoshop CS. Most my efforts up till now have been photorepair and graphics creation, not digital photography. I use a tripod/monopod whereever I can but this is not possible in about 50% of the usage I have thus far found myself within so more direct measures seam in order. One of my big issues is weddings. I'm using the camera in weddings and thus far even the low light situations I've gotten good shots. The problem has been the amount of post processing required to balance the lighting. Very work prohibative. I'll likely try the 50mm 1.8 as it's been recommended repeatedly and I also want to get a good IS lens to add to my outfit. The problem is making sure what I buy is good for as much overall use as possible (as mentioned above). Funds are running out though so I'm trying not to spend more than I have to as I still want Flash stands to go with my system and an expensive lens or two will kill me on finances.

Thanks for the links as well I will check them later tonight or tomorrow as work permits too.


Just so you know, I have done weddings,portraits,and even movie stills and so far have used my Canon 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 for it all. Great lens(cant rave enough) and only a little over $200.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 08/03/2025 09:27:50 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/03/2025 09:27:50 AM EDT.