Gig, Nightclub, Lowlight Lens for Olympus E-series

Zero Pope

Zero Pope

Zero Pope

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13 May 2011
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Hi guys, got myself all confused over finding a lens so I can do some lowlight photography of gigs in a nightclub. I understand I need a low f stop for the low light levels, but as I'm still fairly new to the whole body & lens system I've got myself muddled.

I have an Olympus E-300 with the stock 14-45 and 40-150 lenses. The problem is that they are both poor in low light conditions due to a max aperture of 3.5. Having read up on it a little, it seems I need something in the region of 1.8 to 2.0. I have found this lens but am struggling to find much more to fit a four thirds Olympus, especially with a faster aperture speed. This could be down to me knowing very little and not knowing what to search for or perhaps I should make do with an adaptor kit to a more common lens? Any advice at all would be great as I'm kind of going in circles on my own.
 
Olympus have abandoned their 4/3s DSLRs in favour of their m4/3s system. If you're really looking to seriously work at nightclub stuff then you're probably better off jumping to a more modern system, e.g. the m4/3s system or into 'proper' DSLRs
 
the only reason to go with a 1.8 etc would be focusing, but if the flash has a focus assist you won't need it.

You wouldn't shoot 1.8 generally in a night club, you'll be shooting groups so will need something like f/9-f/11 to get everyone in focus. As for blinding people, if you use the flash properly you won't.
 
Also for gigs he most likely won't be allowed a flash so the bigger sensor and faster lenses will be helpful there as well. On a m4/3s sensor the DoF of a 1.8 wide lens won't be any problem with group shots tbh
 
true, gig shots and flash don't go, ruins the atmosphere but for night club work it can work a treat :)

Not had any experience with the m4/3s so I can't comment there. I don't now his camera to well either so not sure on the ISO handling, something else that might be an issue with none flash work.
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. To begin with the photography will be of the sort you'd see on Don't Stay In and club Facebook pages like the guide linked, thanks for that btw! ;) So it would seem the flash is the important part to begin with. I do want to upgrade to a more modern system, unfortunately, a newer camera isn't an option at this point in time.
 
If it's club photography, you'll want as wide a lens as realistic (I use 17mm on my 7d) and a flashgun.

I use manual mode, f/5.6-8 and shutter speed of 1/10-1/20ish, ISO 1000-1600 with flash on ETTL, simples!

It's also one of the only environments I use a UV filter, purely because of all the drunks and liquids around!
 
Invertigo said:
If it's club photography, you'll want as wide a lens as realistic (I use 17mm on my 7d) and a flashgun.

I use manual mode, f/5.6-8 and shutter speed of 1/10-1/20ish, ISO 1000-1600 with flash on ETTL, simples!

It's also one of the only environments I use a UV filter, purely because of all the drunks and liquids around!
Click to expand...

My wide lens is a 14-45 so that should be perfect. I'm currently looking for a suitable flash. I already have a UV filter which I will definitely be using as I don't want to ruin a lens!
 
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