What (D70S) lens for low light production indoors

bwilder10h · February 21, 2006

My neice is going to be in a children's play this Spring and I'm looking for recommendations on a good low light lens for this. They do not allow flash and I'm unsure how close I will be able to get to the stage.

A friend recommended the 50mm 1.8 but not having the length to reach the stage concerns me.

I had also considered the Sigma 28-70 2.8 but wanted to ask the experienced before making a decision. I'm a newbie to DSLR...:D

Other recommendations....:dunno

XO-Studios · February 21, 2006

bwilder10h wrote:

My neice is going to be in a children's play this Spring and I'm looking for recommendations on a good low light lens for this. They do not allow flash and I'm unsure how close I will be able to get to the stage.

A friend recommended the 50mm 1.8 but not having the length to reach the stage concerns me.

I had also considered the Sigma 28-70 2.8 but wanted to ask the experienced before making a decision. I'm a newbie to DSLR...:D

Other recommendations....

I use a 80-200/2.8D AF-S.
Set your D70S to M, use at least 1/200 (or 1/125 if you are very steady), F to wide open (2.8) and do the D70 trick by setting ISO to auto, this will give you the lowest ISO possible for each individual shot. I have also used a tripod, but that is somewhat of a pain.

I have also use the 50/1.8, but that was at shows where I had unlimited access to the stage and venue.

I have also swapped lenses midshow, if I knew the show well enough to know when that was prudent.

FWIW, YMMV

XO,

chuckice · February 21, 2006

bwilder10h wrote:

My neice is going to be in a children's play this Spring and I'm looking for recommendations on a good low light lens for this. They do not allow flash and I'm unsure how close I will be able to get to the stage.

A friend recommended the 50mm 1.8 but not having the length to reach the stage concerns me.

I had also considered the Sigma 28-70 2.8 but wanted to ask the experienced before making a decision. I'm a newbie to DSLR...:D

Other recommendations....

It really depends on your distance...for me nothing beats the 85/1.4 in low light.

bwilder10h · February 21, 2006

Thanks for all the replies. Certainly food for thought...

The 70-200 VR is certainly a lens I would like to have, but it's way out of my price range. I also like the 80-200 but it's also fairly expensive.

Since I'm just starting out, I was hoping to stay in the $400 and under range if possible.

Would the difference in the 85mm over the 50mm in the 1.8's really justify the $275+ price in the two.

Do I really need a 1.8?

chuckice · February 21, 2006

bwilder10h wrote:

Thanks for all the replies. Certainly food for thought...

The 70-200 VR is certainly a lens I would like to have, but it's way out of my price range. I also like the 80-200 but it's also fairly expensive.

Since I'm just starting out, I was hoping to stay in the $400 and under range if possible.

Would the difference in the 85mm over the 50mm in the 1.8's really justify the $275+ price in the two.

Do I really need a 1.8?

I'd go with the 85/1.8. It's right in that price range...there's a big difference between a 1.8 and 2.8. And a 50 will give you not nearly enough pull for an indoor play type setting.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=84151&is=USA&addedTroughType=search

JimM · February 21, 2006

I think you might be very surprised at how low the light is. Is this on a real stage? The spotlights and dark backgrounds can through everything off.

I took this one here:

Click HERE for EXIF

bwilder10h · February 21, 2006

Jim

Great capture there... I fully expect this production to have very similar lighting conditions as your photo that you posted. Yes, it's on an actual stage.

I see you were at 200 f/2.8. Do you think I would be better off with a longer lens like you were using and 2.8 or something like the 85mm 1.8?

luckyrwe · February 21, 2006

I got my wife the 85/1.8 for her D70. It has a lot of light and with the 1.5x adds more than the 50mm does. I highly recommend it.

JimM · February 21, 2006

If you look closer, you will see I was using my 200 f/2.8 lens, but my actual exposure was 1/400 of a second at f/4 (though I was shooting at 3200 ISO).

My point is you can make up the stops in a lot of places. 1/250 of second at f/4 at ISO 1600 for example.

I wasn't expecting this much light there. You will also notice your meter will be way off because of how dark the backgrounds are. I was in Program mode and told the meter to compensate -2 stops). Got to love how EXIF tells you everything (as I might have forgotten that)!!!

bwilder10h wrote:

Jim

Great capture there... I fully expect this production to have very similar lighting conditions as your photo that you posted. Yes, it's on an actual stage.

I see you were at 200 f/2.8. Do you think I would be better off with a longer lens like you were using and 2.8 or something like the 85mm 1.8?

JimM · February 21, 2006

oh, one more thing.... I would recommend a zoom. In some cases I wanted to be wide to get the full scene and others I needed to be closer. I would recommend something like a 70-200mm f/2.8, though I think could make f/4 work and save some coin. The lens DoctorIT has for sale here:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=28054
would work very well, and is not that much over budget (he just lowered the price too).

bwilder10h · February 21, 2006

JimM wrote:

If you look closer, you will see I was using my 200 f/2.8 lens, but my actual exposure was 1/400 of a second at f/4 (though I was shooting at 3200 ISO).

My point is you can make up the stops in a lot of places. 1/250 of second at f/4 at ISO 1600 for example.

Duh, yeah I mis-read that big time. Dunno what I was thinking.

JimM · February 21, 2006

Okay, sorry, I feel like I hijacked this thread...

The lens DoctorIt is selling is perfect. You can mount a monopod to it and even if the lighting is terrible, you'll have some great shots. I am drooling over that lens right now. My 200mm does not have a mount ring on it, so I am forced to only take horizontal pictures with my monopod.

bwilder10h · February 21, 2006

JimM wrote:

oh, one more thing.... I would recommend a zoom. In some cases I wanted to be wide to get the full scene and others I needed to be closer. I would recommend something like a 70-200mm f/2.8, though I think could make f/4 work and save some coin. The lens DoctorIT has for sale here:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=28054
would work very well, and is not that much over budget (he just lowered the price too).

Yeah I saw that earlier today and would love to have a zoom over a fixed lens. Concerned that a fixed 85 would be sharper for me than the Sigma though.....

DoctorIt · February 21, 2006

bwilder10h wrote:

Yeah I saw that earlier today and would love to have a zoom over a fixed lens. Concerned that a fixed 85 would be sharper for me than the Sigma though.....

Of course, primes will always be sharper.

Just came over here to say thanks to Jim.

My impartial $.02: the 85/1.8 is a way better low-light lens, no doubt. That being said, does your neice play field hockey? soccer? On a budget, I've always gone with zooms for the versatility. If the theater and shows are your only shooting concern, use your feet to move up a few rows and get the faster glass, always get faster glass! If this play is all you'll ever shoot indoors, the 85 will be gathering a lot of dust when spring and summer bring you outside.

JimM · February 21, 2006

With as good as low-light sensors are these days, I wouldn't worry about the 85 at all (based on budgets). I have found well made zooms are super sharp. I bet DoctorIt could posted some images at roughly 85 and 200 and you'll love the sharpness. I can't believe how sharp my 28-75mm Tamron is.

bwilder10h · February 21, 2006

Doctor,

Thanks for your comments. As you mentioned, the 85 would not be used very often and a zoom would certainly serve me better for sporting events and outdoor shots later. I wish your glass was closer to my stated price range...

JimM · February 21, 2006

bwilder10h wrote:

Doctor,

Thanks for your comments. As you mentioned, the 85 would not be used very often and a zoom would certainly serve me better for sporting events and outdoor shots later. I wish your glass was closer to my stated price range...

I think I'd still go for a 70-200, just go for an f/4 instead and upgrade when $$$ permits (though the nice glass you get, the more you never want to go back... and 2.8 is the way to go).

JimM · February 21, 2006

By the way, what are all of the lenses you have today?

bwilder10h · February 21, 2006

I just have the 18-70 kit lens at this point...

DoctorIt · February 21, 2006

JimM wrote:

I think I'd still go for a 70-200, just go for an f/4 instead and upgrade when $$$ permits (though the nice glass you get, the more you never want to go back... and 2.8 is the way to go).

Nikon mount doesn't really give you a good 70-200/4 option. Canon's is unique in that spec.

One other thing, I heard the Sigma 28-70 mentioned here... don't do it. The non-HSM Sigma's are no fun.

bwilder10h · February 21, 2006

So what I'm hearing is there is no real good solution to my situation without spending far beyond my budget (doc's lens being the exception because it's used)?

JimM · February 21, 2006

Every lens I own I have purchased used and been very happy with. Compared to your kit lens Doc's lens will be the sharpest lens you've ever dreamed of... I promise.

f/2.8 in a zoom like that will be great! Doc, show him some pics!

JimM · February 22, 2006

bwilder10h wrote:

So what I'm hearing is there is no real good solution to my situation without spending far beyond my budget (doc's lens being the exception because it's used)?

Okay, I am sure I hijacked this thread now.... Others please join in. I did want to point out that Doc just lowered his price and his price includes shipping and paypal. Still some over budget, but I am sure you'll be happy with the glass.

bwilder10h · February 22, 2006

JimM wrote:

Okay, I am sure I hijacked this thread now.... Others please join in. I did want to point out that Doc just lowered his price and his price includes shipping and paypal. Still some over budget, but I am sure you'll be happy with the glass.

How much commission is he paying you... just kidding.

JimM · February 22, 2006

bwilder10h wrote:

How much commission is he paying you... just kidding.

I should ask him the same question. On my list of wants is an ultra-wide and 70-200 2.8, so I guess I am trying to live through you.

Another thought on a lens for this project for you, might be an older Nikkor manual focus zoom. I haven't looked, but I imagine you can get a 70-200 2.8 MF for well under your budget and focusing on stage should not be much of an issue?

DoctorIt · February 22, 2006

JimM wrote:

Another thought on a lens for this project for you, might be an older Nikkor manual focus zoom. I haven't looked, but I imagine you can get a 70-200 2.8 MF for well under your budget and focusing on stage should not be much of an issue?

Pretty sure the oldest you could go is an old 80-200 for the D70. The MF, if you could find one - they don't really exist, would need an AI conversion. The 80-200 AF is still more than this Sigma and NOT as good, I've verified that for myself.

A sidenote: it's a mute point since the optical quality is the important part, but in my opinion, the Sigma looks better than the VR. VR is all skinny and long with a massive hood. Whole thing tapers to the end of the hood, making it look like a big black ice cream cone. Sigma's a bit fatter and has the matte black mean pipe look to it.

Guess I'll have to make do with the ugly cone.

bwilder10h · February 22, 2006

DoctorIt wrote:

Pretty sure the oldest you could go is an old 80-200 for the D70. The MF, if you could find one - they don't really exist, would need an AI conversion. The 80-200 AF is still more than this Sigma and NOT as good, I've verified that for myself.

It's a mute point anyway because I just sent you the funds for the Sigma

JimM · February 22, 2006

clap

I am looking forward to seeing the images you get with it!

bwilder10h · February 22, 2006

JimM wrote:

I am looking forward to seeing the images you get with it!

That makes two of us.

DoctorIt · February 22, 2006

bwilder10h wrote:

It's a mute point anyway because I just sent you the funds for the Sigma

Yup. I'm big on keeping good information in these threads though. Next time someone has the same question, we can point them here. It's the mod in me.

6lbs of glass and packing peanuts heading your way...

bwilder10h · February 22, 2006

DoctorIt wrote:

Yup. I'm big on keeping good information in these threads though. Next time someone has the same question, we can point them here. It's the mod in me.

6lbs of glass and packing peanuts heading your way...

That's a good idea. I'm sure someone else could find this info helpful down the road...

I'm really looking forward to getting the new glass. Hopefully it will arrives soon...

What (D70S) lens for low light production indoors

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