Shooting in Low light.
May 30, 2014 15:08:09 #
I often find myself shooting in low light. (I think my DSLR isn't as sensitive as others, but...)
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
May 30, 2014 15:20:23 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
JamesCurran wrote:
I often find myself shooting in low light. (I think my DSLR isn't as sensitive as others, but...)
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
Since you cannot control the lighting, to obtain higher shutter speeds you need either a faster lens or higher ISO. Perhaps someone will explain how much compensation for underexposure can be done in post-processing.
May 30, 2014 15:21:07 #
JamesCurran wrote:
I often find myself shooting in low light. (I think my DSLR isn't as sensitive as others, but...)
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
James, you don't give much info.
But first I use my fastest lens. If you do a lot of that, maybe look for a faster lens.
If the light at those performances changes fairly often, shoot on the best SS on Tv for the circumstance and keep the camera on Auto-ISO.
The camera will shoot wide open and pick the lowest iso it can.
Good luck. ;-)
SS
May 30, 2014 16:11:00 #
May 30, 2014 16:15:45 #
robertjerl wrote:
Speaking of, what DSLR and lens are you using?
A Pentex K200D, and the standard 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR it came with.
May 30, 2014 16:26:40 #
JamesCurran wrote:
A Pentex K200D, and the standard 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR it came with.
James, now that is a curve ball! :lol:
Not too many gonna know much about it.
But, as I said, I'm sure Pentax makes an inexpensive 50mm 1.8
That is not a zoom, but would instantly buy you about 3 stops of light or ISO or speed, or a combination of them all! Then shoot as I said before. A tripod or monopod could help eliminate one more variable, if you could use it.
Good luck. ;-)
SS
May 30, 2014 16:26:49 #
a faster lens will help since you have ISO maxed out.
You can try shooting in RAW and then pushing everything in post processing.
But the best solution if you can swing it is a newer camera/lens combo that has better overall low light performance. However I would hold on to that camera to use outdoors in wet weather since it is at least fairly well weather sealed.
You can try shooting in RAW and then pushing everything in post processing.
But the best solution if you can swing it is a newer camera/lens combo that has better overall low light performance. However I would hold on to that camera to use outdoors in wet weather since it is at least fairly well weather sealed.
May 30, 2014 16:53:29 #
That lens isn't great in low light and sometimes hunts for focus. A 50mm ka f2 is pretty cheap you can also pick up manual lenses even cheaper. a manual 50mm f1.7 can be quite affordable. a f1.4 50mm would be nice but quite pricey
You probably can pick up a couple of stops from processing raw. Theres also a number of 28mm f2.8 lenses around which might be useful. You might be able to shoot a little slower.
Like most Pentax camera's image stabilization is built into the camera body so you can squeeze a bit more out of a manual lens. Of course you have a smaller depth of field with lenses wide open and most will be soft too. In manual you can use the green button to get the exposure.
I guess you could also adapt your style to the limits of this camera, Other than that you may have to go for a newer body with a higher iso.
You probably can pick up a couple of stops from processing raw. Theres also a number of 28mm f2.8 lenses around which might be useful. You might be able to shoot a little slower.
Like most Pentax camera's image stabilization is built into the camera body so you can squeeze a bit more out of a manual lens. Of course you have a smaller depth of field with lenses wide open and most will be soft too. In manual you can use the green button to get the exposure.
I guess you could also adapt your style to the limits of this camera, Other than that you may have to go for a newer body with a higher iso.
May 30, 2014 17:00:53 #
JamesCurran wrote:
I often find myself shooting in low light. (I think my DSLR isn't as sensitive as others, but...)
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
All you have for exposure are ISO, aperture and shutter. If you set the first two to their extremes, that leaves you with the shutter speed. Some cameras and lenses work better with low light than others. The D4s is one of the best in low light, but it's very expensive. The same goes for fast lenses - good, but expensive.
May 30, 2014 17:35:29 #
jerryc41 wrote:
The same goes for fast lenses - good, but expensive.
Depends on the system and whether or not you can manual focus. One of the sharper and faster lenses that I used to own was a 50mm 1.8. I paid $10 for it. The adaptor was another $10.
May 30, 2014 19:25:09 #
When your shooting live performances now, do you get blurred images from movement and you can't set the shutter speed any higher because of dark images?...there isn't anything you can do but get a faster lens.
May 30, 2014 19:39:23 #
You could open the Aperture all the way in order to increase the light reaching the camera's sensor.
Then you could keep the Shutter Speed where you want it while perhaps lowering the ISO setting, too.
Of course opening the Aperture more will affect Depth of Field, by decreasing it.
Then you could keep the Shutter Speed where you want it while perhaps lowering the ISO setting, too.
Of course opening the Aperture more will affect Depth of Field, by decreasing it.
JamesCurran wrote:
I often find myself shooting in low light. (I think my DSLR isn't as sensitive as others, but...)
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
May 30, 2014 22:21:33 #
I use a Pentax A 50 F/1.7 it is sharp and can be found cheap if you want auto focus the DA 50 F/1.8 is a sharp lens that is right around $100 bucks.
May 30, 2014 22:24:10 #
You can find Pentax K-x's for less than 300 bucks and get a K-5 for about 500
May 31, 2014 01:06:28 #
JamesCurran wrote:
I often find myself shooting in low light. (I think my DSLR isn't as sensitive as others, but...)
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
Other than the obvious adjustments -- ISO all the way up (1600 max on my camera), and aperture all the way down --- what else can I do ?
A few notes: I'm often doing live performances, so I have no control over the lighting and can't use a flash, and need to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible.
Look at Exposure Compensation on Page 100 of your manual, which can be found at
http://www.camera-usermanual.com/manuals/pentax/Pentax_K200D.pdf
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