DSLR to shoot car interiors

9designs2 · 7 Feb 2014 at 23:58

Well a spec me thread with a twist....

For work purposes I'd like to shoot car interiors to compile a benchmarking file of vehicle interiors. Which leads me to think it might be good excuse for some new or change of kit.

So requirement would be high resolution to allow zooming in to review details.
Good at capturing details in dark areas i.e. black on black trim parts.
Lens wide enough to capture width of interior (dashboard) say from rear seat position.

Good low light performance, possible use of flash....
Fast lens/small depth of field isn't probably going to give good results, so thinking high ISO or flash will be more important feature.

Currently I'm a Canon user, but could consider a change.... (Have 5Dc, 17-40 and 24-105)
So new body or start again ?

mr tommo · 8 Feb 2014 at 10:00

Never used the original 5D so can't really comment on that for you.

If I was doing the job it would be on a 7D with the Canon 10-22mm lens but purely because that is the widest lens we have and will only fit a crop body.

You could get the 17-40mm for just over £600 if you stick with your current body.

Invertigo · 8 Feb 2014 at 12:26

Seeing as you already own a 5d and 17-40, I'd say that would be plenty wide enough, and being full frame its ISO performance is better than the 7d, which has a reputation for being a very noisy sensor (speaking from past experience!)

9designs2 · 8 Feb 2014 at 12:58

My fear or thought is my 5D classic isn't low enough on the noise front and you can't push the ISO that far..... It's dynamic range isn't anything special.
So easiest option Mk3 body and use the 17-40. ... (BTW When will we see a MK4?).

I know it doesn't often make sense to swap brands on a cost basis, but I was originally a Nikon user, not sure I ever quite got comfortable with the Canon.

Energize · 8 Feb 2014 at 13:23

Well if you want a sensor with low noise then Nikon is the obvious option.

olv · 8 Feb 2014 at 14:34

Just bracket exposures and blend them. Or get a few remote flashes and some umbrellas/soft boxes to light the interiors. Both infinitely cheaper options than buying a new body for little extra dynamic range. You could definitely get great results with your existing kit, just need to experiment with different techniques.

James J · 8 Feb 2014 at 15:45

olv said:
Just bracket exposures and blend them. Or get a few remote flashes and some umbrellas/soft boxes to light the interiors. Both infinitely cheaper options than buying a new body for little extra dynamic range. You could definitely get great results with your existing kit, just need to experiment with different techniques.

This is my opinion on this also. I'd get a gorilla pod thing and just do longer exposures by hanging the camera using that tripod from the roof of the car.

9designs2 · 8 Feb 2014 at 17:14

In an ideal world you're both right, or if shooting for a brochure etc that's how you would do it. Problem is these shots are more likely to be taken while visiting dealers or borrowing someone's car, so more grabbed, less staged. Also from visiting motor shows etc.
A soft defused on a flash is more where I think I'll be.

What's the 14-24mm F2.8 Nikon lens like?

AshD93 · 8 Feb 2014 at 19:15

In interest (still learning photography) why couldn't you use a tripod and long shutter speed?

mrk · 8 Feb 2014 at 20:01

Have you explored Magic Lantern? I don't know about the older 5D bodies but certainly on the Mk3 they've unlocked extra dynamic range so you could use lower ISO and benefit still.

9designs2 · 9 Feb 2014 at 11:47

Didn't know about Lantern, not sure it helps as much on the older 5D, thanks for the tip will have a read up.

D800E question, would the lack of an anti-aliasing filter cause a moire problem when shooting grained plastics and fabric/trim with it's woven pattern. Also is there a software correction if it does occur ?

D.P. · 9 Feb 2014 at 13:19

9designs2 said:
Didn't know about Lantern, not sure it helps as much on the older 5D, thanks for the tip will have a read up.

D800E question, would the lack of an anti-aliasing filter cause a moire problem when shooting grained plastics and fabric/trim with it's woven pattern. Also is there a software correction if it does occur ?

It is possible but if the d800E gives moire then it it's likely th D800 will. You can correct this by simply stopping down down the less 1 stop for example.
Nikon NC2 does a very good good Job Of removing moire , I think the latest LR also has a moire removal tool.

D.P. · 9 Feb 2014 at 13:25

9designs2 said:
In an ideal world you're both right, or if shooting for a brochure etc that's how you would do it. Problem is these shots are more likely to be taken while visiting dealers or borrowing someone's car, so more grabbed, less staged. Also from visiting motor shows etc.
A soft defused on a flash is more where I think I'll be.

What's the 14-24mm F2.8 Nikon lens like?

The Nikon 14-24mm is the best wide angle lens ever made from any manufacturer really. Incredibly sharp into the corners, better than almost every prime lens in the range, including pretty much everything from Zeiss and Leica beyond the 24mm. Lots of pro canon landscape togs use this lens via an adapter because it that good.

However It is big and heavy, the front element is huge and to handle filters you need An external collar and very large and very expensive filters. The front element sticks out so you want to take a bit of care but the glass is very hard and not prone to damage.