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Re: Need low light, non-flash, high res options
Ian, thanks for looking through the photos and for your suggestions.
The lighting is indeed limited. I'll post some shots of the theater interior next week. We have basically a double storefront, black box facility. We can seat 102 in used seats from the local cinema's remodel. And we have a single row of lights above the top row of seats, with essentially none on-stage. (that may be the source of some of the shadows you noted.)
I have been shooting with Aperture Priority, auto-exposure and focus. I do preview the productionthe eveing before I do the shoot, so I could get my exposure info, and maybe even some white balance settings at that time. Shooting full manual would give me the least shutter lag and avoid focus hunting, too.
I've been unable to find a used EOS-1D body om eBay for less that US$1000. For that money I could get a Pentax K100D, base zoom and a high-speed 50mm with $400 left for photography lessons. I had the opportunity to handle the K100D for a short period Wednesday, and it seemed to fit my eye and hand better than many have in the past. I've used Pentax before with good results, as well. Also, the remaining stock of Nikon D50's should be reducing in price as the D40 gets out. But no in body stabilization with the Nikon (Grrrr).
I mention the highspeed 50mm, because I have free access to the stage during the final dress rehearsal (when I do the shoot), so lack of zoom ability would not be a stopper.
I also use a weird looking, but highly effective rig when shooting. The basic outfit is using a double strap, like those for heavy binoculars, so the camera is supported by my shoulders and not just my neck, hands and arms. I add a monopod, shortend up to fit into my belt, as well. That gives me three point stabilization to my upper body, and permits quite a bit of freedom to move around, up and down as the action on stage my require. All this sits on my stabilized lower body (supporting 250#), so it's actulally a pretty stable setup.
Ian, thanks to you and all the others who have contributed ideas here. Yesterday was the USA Thanksgiving Day. I offer my Thanksgivings to each of you.
Joe
Ian, thanks for looking through the photos and for your suggestions.
The lighting is indeed limited. I'll post some shots of the theater interior next week. We have basically a double storefront, black box facility. We can seat 102 in used seats from the local cinema's remodel. And we have a single row of lights above the top row of seats, with essentially none on-stage. (that may be the source of some of the shadows you noted.)
I have been shooting with Aperture Priority, auto-exposure and focus. I do preview the productionthe eveing before I do the shoot, so I could get my exposure info, and maybe even some white balance settings at that time. Shooting full manual would give me the least shutter lag and avoid focus hunting, too.
I've been unable to find a used EOS-1D body om eBay for less that US$1000. For that money I could get a Pentax K100D, base zoom and a high-speed 50mm with $400 left for photography lessons. I had the opportunity to handle the K100D for a short period Wednesday, and it seemed to fit my eye and hand better than many have in the past. I've used Pentax before with good results, as well. Also, the remaining stock of Nikon D50's should be reducing in price as the D40 gets out. But no in body stabilization with the Nikon (Grrrr).
I mention the highspeed 50mm, because I have free access to the stage during the final dress rehearsal (when I do the shoot), so lack of zoom ability would not be a stopper.
I also use a weird looking, but highly effective rig when shooting. The basic outfit is using a double strap, like those for heavy binoculars, so the camera is supported by my shoulders and not just my neck, hands and arms. I add a monopod, shortend up to fit into my belt, as well. That gives me three point stabilization to my upper body, and permits quite a bit of freedom to move around, up and down as the action on stage my require. All this sits on my stabilized lower body (supporting 250#), so it's actulally a pretty stable setup.
Ian, thanks to you and all the others who have contributed ideas here. Yesterday was the USA Thanksgiving Day. I offer my Thanksgivings to each of you.
Joe
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