toptrainer Loc: Wellington

What would be the best settings in a church for the camera if you were not using flash and if you were using flash? I have a canon 80 D and a Canon 6D. It seems like every time I try with or without a flash I still get grain. This happens when I am shooting the whole group of kids, when I do one at a time comes out great. By the way I was shooting a first communion.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

I haven't used a flash since my film days. No need to.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Posting an example of a shot would help. Make sure you Choose File and store original.

toptrainer Loc: Wellington

Just stepped out to watch a soccer game for my son, but when I get home I will send some examples.

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

Look at the metadata on each image. See what the ISO was.

ecurb1105

Just lock your ISO to 100 or 200 and use flash. Allowing auto ISO can send your noise skyrocketing.
I shot a lot of weddings in the 1970s at ISO 100 and flash.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Thank you for telling us what cameras you use. Please tell us if you used one or both? Also which lens(es) did you actually use? Finally, I agree that a sample shot (actually three - your best, a typical shot and your worst) would help us give appropriate feedback; it is important that you check the "Save Original" box.

Selene03

The 6d is very good in low light situations. Have you tried reducing the noise? As everyone says here, try reducing the iso but then you may need to use flash. What lens are you using?

BebuLamar

I believe most churches allow you to walk in there when there is no mass and take some pictures. So you should go in there and figure out the light level in the church so that you or other can help you decide whether the lighting is sufficient.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

An excellent suggestion. Your avatar illustrates what could be a very useful tool - a QUALITY handheld exposure meter.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I would shoot raw with the 6D, use the fastest lens you have, not go above ISO 10,000 if possible (yes, you can shoot at that ISO with the 6D without excessive noise if you use decent noise reduction SW), process the raw files with Canon’s DPP (Digital Photo Professional) and use noise reduction SW in post like Nik or Topaz. I shoot with those parameters in low available light regularly with a 5D3 (which has almost the same low light, high ISO performance of the 6D) and what little noise there is isn’t noticeable unless you pixel peep at very high magnification.

Now if you can use flash, then it’s easy. ISO 100-400, 1/180 sec, ETTL, bounced flash, and whatever aperture gives you the DOF you need.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

One question. Bounced flash? Bounced off high ceilings? Thanks.

BebuLamar

And to be in the church before hand one can decides if bounce flash is possible.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

If you want an accurate assessment of your issue with actual troubleshooting and remedies, you need to post at least 2 pictures- one with flash and one with existing light.

If you are gettin excessive "grain" or noise, that is not a function of flash usage. Grainy images are the result of very high ISO setting or poor exposure control.

All churches are not lighted in the same way- some are bright and well lighted, others are dark- some have natural light streaming in through windows while some can are lighted with any manner of incandescent, fluorescent, sodium/high output or more current LED lamps.

Under certain conditions you may need to use flash especially in group portraits where there may be multiple rows of subjects- you may need adaquette of field that a very wide apertures may not provide.

Many folks have a propensity to negatively criticize flas usage citing that the lighting is flat and overpowering. Those undesirable result usually come from faulty technique or a flash that is built into the camera body and can not be moved to a more aesthetic position.

Best thing is- post some images. If you have nothing on hand, take some test shots in the church with and without flash. Male notes of you camera settings- ISO, programme mode, f/stop and shutter speed.

I hope this helps.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

OP used the words 'First Communion'; those words usually go with 'worship service', which conventionally goes with the words 'no flash'.