which 1 will u choose??

[rookie86]

tamron 17-50mm f2.8
sigma 12-24mm f3.5-4.5
nikkor 50mm f1.8
SB 600

i will be helping out at a children's camp in dec organised by YEC. it's a camp for the kids to enjoy themselves for 3 days. during the camp, they will play games and have night activities.

i'm carrying a d80 with 18-55mm f5.6 and 55-200mm f5.6.. i believe my kit lens can perform during the day. but i'm worried about the night.. so decided to rent some equipment for the camp.. but i have a tight budget so could only choose 1 from the above... if u were me, which will u choose??

ps: i think the wide angle will help me shoot some interesting pictures.. so i juz add to my choose list.. but still.. can only choose 1.. how???:dunno:

 

[ngck12]

i believe flash is the most impt if u wanna shoot night activities.. large aperture lens wont have much use.

 

[Flashbulb]

your D80 onboard flash isnt exactly a weakling but i recommend taking the tamron 17-50mm f2.8 to preserve the ambient lighting if you want pics that are actually taken in the night if people see them. You can then use pp to touch up the pics accordingly.

then in the end of the day when its time for group shots, try to arrange your shot so that the people are not at the edges of the lens 18-55mm.

 

[attap seed]

my advise would be just dial up the ISO.

modern DSLR, the higher ISO are very usable.

anyway, i doubt u will be printing bigger than 8R, most prob 4R.

having a faster lens and opening up the aperture creates its own issues, eg shallow depth of field, critical when shooting group photos.

 

[zac08]

Get a flash. And practise first...

 

[sin77]

tamron 17-50mm f2.8
- 7/10 importance
- a fast lens is usually good for low light shooting and bokeh (indoor/outdoor).

sigma 12-24mm f3.5-4.5
- 3/10 importance
- 17mm is already good enough. 12mm is more for scenery and will cause distortion to photos of people at the frame edges. At most you ask the kids to stand closer and you move back further.

nikkor 50mm f1.8
- 5/10 importance
- this lens is good for low light and bokeh, but how often do you want to change lens?

SB 600
- 8.5/10 importance
- This is your best bet for evening / indoor shots. But you must know how to make good use of it, such as using the appropriate iso, angle tilting, light bouncing, light diffusing, etc. Other than than, you will seldom use it during daytime, except for using it as a fill-in flash.

 

[tanandrew]

i will go for 50mm f1.8 or 17-50mmf2.8

 

[sherchoo]

First go for flash (with diffusion or bounce).... if got some more budget 17-50mm.

IMO, flash if super important for night shooting with moving subjects.

 

[maximize]

First go for flash (with diffusion or bounce).... if got some more budget 17-50mm.

IMO, flash if super important for night shooting with moving subjects.

Yah.. agreed... even if its those not so good flash... go for the flash first... 17-50 f2.8 have a limit to how dark and steady u an shoot.. dun think u can use a tripod also... so better get a flash... i remembered sometimes back someone brought a 50 f1.4 to the night safari... in the end only shot a rhino butt... i mean its not to make fun of the poor guy... but its a lesson learn to esp newbies (include me)... probably u might think u wanna rely on the built-in flash... from my 2 cents opinion... better get the external one... this is a night activity events...

 

[chalib]

External flash is important for portrait, especially group photo. Ambience light will not be enough for group photo. Get flash, ur kit lens is more than enough

 

[fatigue]

Go for flash.
Lens could only give you a few f-stops

 

[Milestone]

Go for the flash. You don't want to shoot with the camera flash. If possible, go for SB800 with the diffuser.

 

[rookie86]

wow.. looks like most of u guys go for the flash.. maybe i should really get the flash!
is there any major difference between the sb600 and the sb800?? first time using a external flash.. so don't need to compare the pro functions.. is there any webby that i can have a crash course on flash photography?? thanks ah~

 

[Flashbulb]

wow.. looks like most of u guys go for the flash.. maybe i should really get the flash!
is there any major difference between the sb600 and the sb800?? first time using a external flash.. so don't need to compare the pro functions.. is there any webby that i can have a crash course on flash photography?? thanks ah~

There are books and online videos but nothing beats actual tips first hand. If the camp is sometime away can consider joining one the many gatherings?

 

[rookie86]

i would LOVE to join one of the gatherings but the camp is about 2 weeks away and have many things to settle for the camp.. plus i'm serving my NS somemore... so.. time super tight.. lol...

 

[Flashbulb]

i would LOVE to join one of the gatherings but the camp is about 2 weeks away and have many things to settle for the camp.. plus i'm serving my NS somemore... so.. time super tight.. lol...

check if your unit got any DSLR gurus?

 

[sin77]

u buying the flash or renting it? How much $ difference are u looking at?

On the other hand, flash is not super wonder (unless u use CLS). You still need good skills and judgement.... knowing when to bump up the iso to 800.

 

[rookie86]

u buying the flash or renting it? How much $ difference are u looking at?

On the other hand, flash is not super wonder (unless u use CLS). You still need good skills and judgement.... knowing when to bump up the iso to 800.

i wil be renting it.. now no money to buy 1.. still saving up.. so have to rent first..
ya.. i know using external flash need lots of skill.. so now still looking around see got any webby that can give me a crash course..

 

[rookie86]

check if your unit got any DSLR gurus?

got... my unit have 1 or 2 gurus.. but we work different shift leh.. very hard to meet up.. somemore not very "shou" leh..

 

[zac08]

i wil be renting it.. now no money to buy 1.. still saving up.. so have to rent first..
ya.. i know using external flash need lots of skill.. so now still looking around see got any webby that can give me a crash course..

Practising is better....