AFs F2.8 lenses.?


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joeyjoey

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Aug 10, 2007
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recently ventured into live band photography (in pubs and others) and found out that with the low lighting and limit of my lens, it is very hard to shoot without flash. the biggest aperture i can achieve is F5.6 to accomodate the telephoto range (usually 55-75mm), and therefore a flash is necessary. however, with flash photography, i cannot achieve the type of effects of spotlights present on stage, and often have photos filled with smoke (stage effect) because of the strength of the flash fired at such small details.

i am currently using the setup d40x, sb600 and 55-200 VR. is an aperture value of F2.8 big enough so that i can shoot my flash directly up for light diffusion.? if yes, F2.8 is big enough, what are my choices (must be AFs).? have considered the 50mm 1.8, but it will not reach the telephoto range that i require, and also, it will only manual focus on my camera. won't it be very tough to always have to manual focus, especially when shooting band photography because they're always moving frantically.?
 

recently ventured into live band photography (in pubs and others) and found out that with the low lighting and limit of my lens, it is very hard to shoot without flash. the biggest aperture i can achieve is F5.6 to accomodate the telephoto range (usually 55-75mm), and therefore a flash is necessary. however, with flash photography, i cannot achieve the type of effects of spotlights present on stage, and often have photos filled with smoke (stage effect) because of the strength of the flash fired at such small details.

i am currently using the setup d40x, sb600 and 55-200 VR. is an aperture value of F2.8 big enough so that i can shoot my flash directly up for light diffusion.? if yes, F2.8 is big enough, what are my choices (must be AFs).? have considered the 50mm 1.8, but it will not reach the telephoto range that i require, and also, it will only manual focus on my camera. won't it be very tough to always have to manual focus, especially when shooting band photography because they're always moving frantically.?

your best bet will probably be afs 17-55 and 28-70 or maybe the latest 24-70. but hell, the cost more than your current whole setup
 

recently ventured into live band photography (in pubs and others) and found out that with the low lighting and limit of my lens, it is very hard to shoot without flash. the biggest aperture i can achieve is F5.6 to accomodate the telephoto range (usually 55-75mm), and therefore a flash is necessary. however, with flash photography, i cannot achieve the type of effects of spotlights present on stage, and often have photos filled with smoke (stage effect) because of the strength of the flash fired at such small details.

i am currently using the setup d40x, sb600 and 55-200 VR. is an aperture value of F2.8 big enough so that i can shoot my flash directly up for light diffusion.? if yes, F2.8 is big enough, what are my choices (must be AFs).? have considered the 50mm 1.8, but it will not reach the telephoto range that i require, and also, it will only manual focus on my camera. won't it be very tough to always have to manual focus, especially when shooting band photography because they're always moving frantically.?

Use F2.8 with care. Sometimes if not careful, especially in P mode, some of the band members may be out of focus.

Manual focus can be challenging at first, but once u are used to it, it work wonders. Under low lightings, sometimes the AF also a bit siao one. Just my experience. I take indoor stuff most of the time.

A bit OT, another option: Change camera. :devil:
 

I wonder if Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 has Nikon Mount too.
 

your best bet will probably be afs 17-55 and 28-70 or maybe the latest 24-70. but hell, the cost more than your current whole setup

is the 28-70mm F2.8.? may i know the price.? i'm willing to work for it. just finished my Os, and am looking for a job now. if i'm not wrong, isit around the $2000-$2300 range.?
 

Use F2.8 with care. Sometimes if not careful, especially in P mode, some of the band members may be out of focus.

Manual focus can be challenging at first, but once u are used to it, it work wonders. Under low lightings, sometimes the AF also a bit siao one. Just my experience. I take indoor stuff most of the time.

A bit OT, another option: Change camera. :devil:

about the change camera part, i'll do that when i finish my NS, for sure. right now, just play around with my D40x. thanks for the valuable advice. friendly people here man.
 

is the 28-70mm F2.8.? may i know the price.? i'm willing to work for it. just finished my Os, and am looking for a job now. if i'm not wrong, isit around the $2000-$2300 range.?
slightly more than this, unless you talking about buying it from oversea.
 

The alternative is to use Sigma HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) lenses... which is the equivalent to AF-S lenses (i.e. AF lenses with SWM - Silent Wave Motor).

You can find a list of D40/x compatible lenses at http://www.sigmaphoto.com/news/news.asp?nID=3356

For the f/2.8 HSM lenses that would be good for what you are shooting are...
1. Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC HSM
2. Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG MACRO
 

sell the d40/x and get a d70s is my option for the same price.Wont lose much for 2nd hand. The d70s only loses out in noise control in my opinion. 1 of the ultimate lens is the 50mm f.14 from nikon and the d40/x is quite restricted to use with that.
 

you can get to go to pubs and bars when you just finish your o's? are you 18? ha. anyways I believe that alot of lenses arent compatible with d40x if u want auto focus. If you wanna shoot in the dark, getting a f2.8 lens will certainly be an advantage. get anything from 2.8 and below. but of course mostly are prime lenses. I ain't sure about the distance you are shooting from but well, a long lens would be good for long distances. I've neva used the
sb600 so i'm not sure how far it can really go for stage photography, of course depending on the distance you are at. Try not to use flash though, may be quite irritating to some people. Your hands definitely play a strong role in being stable. Having a VR lens would help as well. =D
 

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