Quick advice needed

Derek W · 28 Mar 2010 at 11:02

Sorry for the short post but I was asked to take photos at a christening in about an hours time and I'm at a bit of a loss.

I will be using my 5D2 with a 28-105 at the low end. Now although the camera has good low light capabilities I'm charging my old vivitar flash as well. Providing no one is epileptic I'll hopefully be using that at a lower ISO rating. I dont have any ceilings to bounce it off so I'm hoping i can borrow my dads diffuser and point it straight at the families (3 kids being christened, 3 sets of parents from the same extended family) I'm looking for a bit of advice on what level of exposure compensation I'll need in camera to go along with the flash.

Willis · 28 Mar 2010 at 11:25

I would go ISO 2000 which the 5D2 should do easy with out to much noise and stay clear of the flash unless it is so dark thats its needed. F2.8 if your lens can do it.

Its mad people spend crazy money on body's and don't use the low light shooting capability's, just dont be scarred to go over ISO 1600.

Derek W · 28 Mar 2010 at 11:33

Willis said:
I would go ISO 2000 which the 5D2 should do easy with out to much noise and stay clear of the flash unless it is so dark thats its needed. F2.8 if your lens can do it.

Its mad people spend crazy money on body's and don't use the low light shooting capability's, just dont be scarred to go over ISO 1600.

I've gone to 3200 with not a great deal of noise either, unfortunately I cant get to 2.8, 2.5 being the lowest I'll have available.

I've discovered my dad has thrown out his diffuser so if i do use the flash it'll be the old school method of a handkerchief over to diffuse the light.

Its just dulling over now so i fear the flash may be required. But I wont know till I'm down at the church.

Paul11 · 28 Mar 2010 at 11:44

Derek W said:
I've gone to 3200 with not a great deal of noise either, unfortunately I cant get to 2.8, 2.5 being the lowest I'll have available.

I've discovered my dad has thrown out his diffuser so if i do use the flash it'll be the old school method of a handkerchief over to diffuse the light.

Its just dulling over now so i fear the flash may be required. But I wont know till I'm down at the church.

2.5 is better than 2.8 but it sounds an odd aperture.. you sure is 2.5?

with flash, dont lower the ISO too much as you want to mix ambient light with the flash light

Derek W · 28 Mar 2010 at 11:46

Paul11 said:
2.5 is better than 2.8 but it sounds an odd aperture.. you sure is 2.5?

with flash, dont lower the ISO too much as you want to mix ambient light with the flash light

I'm sure i meant 3.5

About to head out now so we'll see how i get on.

Thanks again

Willis · 28 Mar 2010 at 11:54

Derek W said:
I'm sure i meant 3.5 About to head out now so we'll see how i get on.

Thanks again

Good luck and remember don't stress it, if its not going to plan take a step back and think about what your doing.

Derek W · 28 Mar 2010 at 13:46

Willis said:
Good luck and remember don't stress it, if its not going to plan take a step back and think about what your doing.

Well i was out of my comfort zone and nervous again. Got a few shots at 2000 and 3200 ISO but they'll be ok for newspaper printing. Hope the families dont want prints as i dont think they're good enough.

Mr Jones · 28 Mar 2010 at 17:35

You'll be surprised what you see on your screen compared to what you've printed. A little noise removal with the RAW shot, it'll be fine

mcc49 · 28 Mar 2010 at 18:55

The 5D2 is very capable at ISO 3200, I used it to take pics at the work's xmas party. Most of the shots were taken at F4 and 3200 as my lens back then was limited to that. Hit it with a pass with noise ninja and its good to go. Ive printed the photos out for the staffroom and there were no trace of noise whatsoever, just lots of compliments on how sharp and clear the photos were!