I'm trying to get some pictures from a play and they do not allow flash photography.
I have a D40, sb400 flash ( that I can't use) and one lens (18-55). No tripod. ( It's on my to buy list. LOL)
Links or suggestions? I need help ( for a beginner) getting some shots. My husband is in the play so I really really want to get at least one good shot of him.
If you could spend $199, Nikon has a PHENOMENAL 35mm 1.8 lens. Dialing the camera up to maybe 800 ISO, and you wold have some great pics, I would surmise.
Depending on how close you can get I would either rent a long 2.8 lens (I've never rented a lens before so I don't know how this works) or pick up either the 35mm 1.8 that Chris mentioned or the 50mm 1.8 for half the price.
Also, depending on what you want to use the pictures for you might be ok with stepping up the ISO to 1600. You will absolutely have noticeable noise but it might be worth it to capture the play. Test out your camera at ISO 1600 and see what you think before you go to the play.
My experience with the D40 in places like gyms, which are likely not as dark as this may be, is horrific at ISO 1600. 800 seems to be about its limit to avoid a crappy image. I didn't know they made an AF-S 50mm 1.8. If so, I must have one. I know they make it in the other formats, with no motor drive in the lens though.
Justin and Chris - I read online that there is an AF-S 50mm 1.4, but it's twice the price and bigger and heavier. Someone also said that the 50mm works out to be about a 75mm once mounted on the camera, and the AF-S 35mm 1.8 works out to be about a 50mm on the camera. Have you heard anything about that?
i wouldn't recommend a fixed lens shooting something like this regardless. if they are going to be moving around and you have no idea where you are going to be sitting, and you can't be moving around, a zoom would be the best. good luck!
Val, I've done okay for pics like this when the stage is well lit by sitting as close as possible, putting it on aperture mode and putting it on the lowest number my lens would go to and raising the ISO to 800 or 1600 (try some in both) and letting it set the speed. They weren't fabulous, but acceptable. It's good to know when the stage will be as bright as possible though.
Rochele i think the reason people are suggesting fixed lenses is because its cheaper to get a prime lens w/ a wide aperture than a zoom lens w/ a wide aperture.
Sue, a 50mm is in fact comparable to 75mm on a 35mm DSLR...only if your DSLR is not full frame. Only the very expensive newer ones (ex. Nikon D700 on up) are full frame
Ha ha! I splurged on a nice DSLR camera recently (Canon EOS 7D) and a couple of nice lenses. I got a 35 mm f1.4 prime lens and a 70 - 200 mm f2.8 telephoto zoom, which are both very nice and work well in low light. But I think I'm addicted and need to stop buying these expensive lenses now. Are there any support groups for people like me?
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I'd recommend picking up a lens that allows you to shoot at f/2.8 or less.
Also, depending on what you want to use the pictures for you might be ok with stepping up the ISO to 1600. You will absolutely have noticeable noise but it might be worth it to capture the play. Test out your camera at ISO 1600 and see what you think before you go to the play.
I will look into those lenses. ( and I had no idea you could rent a lens! How great is that?)
f/2.8 telephoto zoom lenses are pretty pricey.