Please advise lens for low light shooting

[achanth]

I will be travelling, and I have an E510. Rather than change to E3, what lens would you advise that I can take pictures at low lighting? I already have the 12-54mm lens f2.8-3.5 ...not so good, as there is some hunting, unless I set at ISO1600. But lots of noise.

[dorts]

I think only way will be a prime lens. You get f/1.4

Unless you want the ZD 14-35 f/2. LOL.

[diCam]

Originally Posted by achanth I will be travelling, and I have an E510. Rather than change to E3, what lens would you advise that I can take pictures at low lighting? I already have the 12-54mm lens f2.8-3.5 ...not so good, as there is some hunting, unless I set at ISO1600. But lots of noise.

I'm not sure about how low is your low-lighting situation. Are you sure that 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 hunt during low-light when mounted to E510? I used this combination before and 98% I have do not encounter this issue. Always focus on the contrasty area. It should be fine. I'd also shot at ISO1600 with E510 and print it up to 8R and it is not noisy. I suggest you do a few test shots first.

For low-light photography you can consider:

(1) 14-35mm F2.0 (that is if it already available here and also you got $$ to spare)

(2) Panasonic/Leica 25mm F1.4

(3) Olympus ZD 25mm 2.8

(4) This is the best... shot with tripod

(5) Brush up your photography skills?

My 2 cents worth of advise

[Zoobiee]

Originally Posted by diCam I'm not sure about how low is your low-lighting situation. Are you sure that 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 hunt during low-light when mounted to E510? I used this combination before and 98% I have do not encounter this issue. Always focus on the contrasty area. It should be fine. I'd also shot at ISO1600 with E510 and print it up to 8R and it is not noisy. I suggest you do a few test shots first. For low-light photography you can consider: (1) 14-35mm F2.0 (that is if it already available here and also you got $$ to spare) (2) Panasonic/Leica 25mm F1.4 (3) Olympus ZD 25mm 2.8 (4) This is the best... shot with tripod (5) Brush up your photography skills? My 2 cents worth of advise

There's also the Sigma f1.4

[tunster]

Low-Light lens (a.k.a. big aperture lens) normally give very shallow depth of field. You would easily get out of focus pic instead. Not very recommended for so called "low light photography" as it is even harder to get focus at low light. What you probably need would be a good flash and learn some bounce light.

[shengliang1981]

Originally Posted by tunster Low-Light lens (a.k.a. big aperture lens) normally give very shallow depth of field. You would easily get out of focus pic instead. Not very recommended for so called "low light photography" as it is even harder to get focus at low light. What you probably need would be a good flash and learn some bounce light.

With external flashes like FL36 and FL50, you can also use the red focus assist light with the flash which will definitely help improve the AF in low light as there is no dedicated focus assist lamp in the E510.

[viewwing]

Originally Posted by achanth I will be travelling, and I have an E510. Rather than change to E3, what lens would you advise that I can take pictures at low lighting? I already have the 12-54mm lens f2.8-3.5 ...not so good, as there is some hunting, unless I set at ISO1600. But lots of noise.

What kinda low light pictures are you taking? if its more of a street shot and such maybe u can try getting a good tripod. That will take away camera shake.

U can also consider getting the flash if you do in door shots. If you need fast recycle time (<2 secs) get the FL50 or FL50R. FL36 will be good if you don't shoot for events and such where lots of things can happen in a few secs.

[theITguy]

I bought my 12-60 to my korea trip and I have not much of a problem taking indoor photos shooting IS800, sometimes 1600 if I need the speed. I am using E-3 with the len and the combo is heavy, no joke if you have kids or old people to take care of.

You need to look for contrasty objects to focus on. On low light photography, it all boils down to holding technique, which is quite true from my experience. Technique wrong, whatever best gear you have will not help at all.

[Mikefellh]

Originally Posted by theITguy You need to look for contrasty objects to focus on. On low light photography, it all boils down to holding technique, which is quite true from my experience. Technique wrong, whatever best gear you have will not help at all.

This is the most important bit of advice...I've never failed to get a lock at night even though I still use the kit lenses.

The only time I really had difficult was out in the country where there was no contrast, in which case I used a laser pointer as a target...not recommended though for populated areas.

[aryanto]

Originally Posted by Mikefellh This is the most important bit of advice...I've never failed to get a lock at night even though I still use the kit lenses. The only time I really had difficult was out in the country where there was no contrast, in which case I used a laser pointer as a target...not recommended though for populated areas.

Oh wow, could you explain more? I like Sony's F7x7 line of using laser as focusing aid. it is really good. Do you use that hand held (one hand) and another hand to hold the camera? Do you use C-AF or S-AF?