wannabe63 Loc: Bellevue, Washington

Tonight I learned that I will be photographing my son-in-laws 4 piece jazz band. I believe it will be in pub type of environment. Unfortunately this is to take place tomorrow night in a city 50 miles from where I live. I have no idea what the lighting is or the layout or where I can go. I told him I will do my best but don't expect much since this isn't something I've done before. He understands so there is no pressure and I thought it would fun to try something new. I do mostly landscapes, outdoor stuff and some portraits strictly on a amateur level. I shoot with a D750. The lenses I can take that I thought might fit the occasion are a 50mm f1.4, 16-35mm f4 and a 14mm f2.8. So my question is should I take all 3? I think the size of the room will ultimately determine which lens I wind up using. I hope the 50mm will work best as it's the fastest. I don't think I should use a flash but could take one. With this limited knowledge would someone take a run at some suggestions on a good starting point for the initial camera settings?

SkyKing Loc: Thompson Ridge, NY

…1/125 sec…f/4…800 ISO…is probably where I would start…

ELNikkor

Go ahead and take all 3. I would probably end up using both the 50 and 16-35. I also have a D750 and am comfortable using a high ISO to get sharp photos, even in low light. 1/60 or 1/125 sec. at f4 or 5.6, auto ISO, single point focus, could give you a good starting point. If there are spotlights, you might even be able to use a low ISO. Usually with a band, I even bring a longer zoom to isolate each band-member for a few close-ups. If time permits, it would be nice to even get a posed shot of the band in their positions or back-stage. Good luck, & be sure and share how it goes. (With jazz, I always make some of the photos B&W or sepia for that vintage look.)

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I think the 750 is noted for its low light capability's. Bump up the ISO and shoot away.
Good luck and have fun.

BebuLamar

Yes take all three but it seems you don't have anything longer than 50mm.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Make sure you adjust the white balance for stage lights. Not a time to trust auto white balance. They use to use tungsten but I imanage LEDs are the bulb of choice.i have NO idea of a setting

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I would take all 3 lenses, and I'd plan on the 16-35 , take the flash and an on flash bounce like the Lumiquest, it points the flash up and fills off a white reflector, there are other brands that are similar, can even work with a white card taped or rubberbanded to the flash head, even a paper plate would work.

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

Post a few of the shots for us all to see. I'm sure you will be happy with the results...

Chuck

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I would take a longer lens as well since you don't know the environment and how close to the group you will be able to get.

Take the flash, but it might only be useful for posed photos of the group.

Don't limit the ISO. Pump it up, but take shots with several different ISO settings. I don't have a 750 but modern cameras can probably do fairly well up to 10,000. I have used my D4 with ISO up to 25,000 with good results (after processing). You WILL get noise up there but it can be manageable in post. I would probably start at 3200. It will really depend on the lighting available (which sounds as if it might be minimal). Personally, I'm not a fan of really wide open lenses. Better noise than shallow DOF. Noise can be reduced but shallow DOF can't be easily processed out. I shot my stepdaughter's wedding a couple years ago using ISO up to 8000, mostly f/8. Topaz DeNoise was able to do a really nice job on the noise. (In the wedding reception I used my 24-70 and 70-200).

SHOOT RAW. It allows more latitude for shadows and underexposed shots and better control of white balance after the fact. Raw+jpg would be OK if you're not used to shooting raw.

Take lots of shots. Spare cards. Take your battery charger with you unless you have a spare battery. The cost of digital shots is minimal since you already have the capital investment. The real cost will be in the processing time.

CliffMcKenzie Loc: Lake Athens Texas

The D750 is a crop censor camera. You did not say if the 50mm lens is FX or DX**. Of the 3 lenes, the 50mm is your best choice. Shoot a couple of stops up at 2.8. Set your ISO to auto ISO. Speed is easy, do you want the drummer's sticks slightly blurred or frozen? You might wish to cap the maximum ISO at less than 6,000. WB set to auto or auto1 if available, any changes here will be done in post. If possible ask if an external flash is possible and do the first three song rule. Since you only have a 50, you are the zoom. If you can borrow or rent a lens locally, then the Nikon 24-70 2.8 is really great. Another but lesser choice, 24-120 4.

** Nikon website "The AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G offers a classic, “normal” (50mm) angle of view when used on an FX-format DSLR or 35mm film camera. When used on a DX-format camera, however, it becomes an ideal portrait lens, approximating the moderate telephoto perspective of a 75mm lens on an FX-format DSLR or 35mm film camera. Close focusing to 1.5 ft extends versatility."

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If bringing all three is convenient, and that won't be a problem in the pub, go for it. The 1.4 would be good for low light. Adjust the ISO as needed. Get there early and experiment. Bring a spare battery and save to both SD cards. Shooting raw will give you lots of leeway in processing. Use Noise software as necessary.

adedeluca Loc: holbrook ny

I think a stabilized lenses will allow slower speeds .Auto iso is a choice.

Lower aperture when needed
Don’t worrying about white balance too much. It can give a special effect in photography . God Luck but have fun.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

PS: Show us the results when you get it done.

User ID

Bring all three lenses and powerfully resist feeling obliged to use everything you bring. One lens will verrrrry likely be THE right one.

Have no fear of high ISO. Your camera lacks IBIS but at least one of your lenses has OIS. Fast primes almost never have OIS and are not your best option anywho cuz you hafta stop down for sufficient DoF. An f/4.0 zoom with OIS is perfect.

Even with benefit of OIS stabilization I hope you have a monopod or minipod. A home made bean bag or just a jacket on a chairback can also help.

I have concentrated only on steadiness. The rest of the project is just routine photography. Either you know how to handle that or your camera knows how. Shooting raw+jpeg is good insurance.

Expect weird colored lights.

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Greasy filter can be beneficial.

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User ID

Your very first sentence invalidates whatever follows. I didnt read the rest ... nobody should.