Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi Digital Camera?
Usually, most of the pictures I take are at concerts of bands performing – and usually, the shows are in relatively dark venues, and the band members are moving around a lot. Would this camera be a good one to invest in, or is there another that would better fit my needs? (This is my first DSLR.)
You will need a DSLR that has the ability to set the ISO to 1600 or over and a "fast" lens. One of the favorite for shooting concerts is the 85mm f/1.8
The XTi is a good camera and with the right lens, should provide you with the kind of features you will find helpful shooting in darkened venues (Usually the stage lights are bright enough, so you don't have to become a low-light expert.
Canon 1236B002 EOS Digital Rebel XTi Digital Camera Body (Black)
May 9th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
You will need a DSLR that has the ability to set the ISO to 1600 or over and a "fast" lens. One of the favorite for shooting concerts is the 85mm f/1.8
The XTi is a good camera and with the right lens, should provide you with the kind of features you will find helpful shooting in darkened venues (Usually the stage lights are bright enough, so you don't have to become a low-light expert.
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Sports, concert, fashion and glamour photographer
May 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
It would be a fine camera for this. How close will you be able to get and can you use a flash or any other lighting? The lens you choose will depend on how close you can get. If you can basically be on stage then I would go with a 50mm F1.4 ($400) or 1.8 lens ($100). If you are going to be further away you will need a telephoto zoom lens. One of the best would be the Canon 70-200mm F2.8L IS. This lens is very expensive though ($1,500). You can also look at a 70-300mm F4-5.6 IS about ($600).
The faster the lens ( lowest F number) the better. The other thing you will need to do is to jack up the ISO as high as you need to go to get a fast enough shutter speed so that everything is not blurry. In order to freeze action you will need at least a 1/125th of a second shutter speed. You may be able to get away with a little less but you will get some blurry shots.
If you can get close and are allowed to use a flash I would also pick up a flash. Look at the 430 ex or the 580ex.
My only other suggestion is that if the venues will let you I would use a monopod. This will help reduce camera shake which will be especially important in low light situations.
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May 9th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Since you're really not going to use the flash, because it's distracting, and the built-in flash isn't strong enough to reach the subjects on stage anyway, I am thinking it's probably the lens.
The kit lens, although a very usable lens, has its limitations. When zoomed to 55 mm, the aperture closes down to f 5.6, and this doesn't let that much light though the lens.
You either have to increase the ISO to the maximum (which is 1,600 for that camera), or get a "faster" lens. the cheapest one (although not a zoom lens) is Canon 50 mm f 1.8. For a hundred bucks, it will work on your camera as a short telephoto (when mounted on your camera, it works like a 80 mm lens due to cropped sensor).
The other lens that would be quite useful for this is Canon 24-70 mm f 2.8 L. It's fast, sharp and very well made. You do get what you pay for–it is $1,200.
Here are some photos taken with Canon 24-70 mm f 2.8 L lens. No flash used.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2420512804_8b25476119_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2149/2267738530_f637a3bcf9_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/2419699477_20aa48b932_b.jpg
I gave the little 50 mm lens to my nephew–so I don't have anything to show you right now–but it's a sharp lens and it is not expensive at all.
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