Need Advise - 1st D90 Shoot - NY Auto Show

I recently purchased a new D90, 18-200 lens, SB600 flash and as a novice, still have much to learn. Later this week I am going to the New York Auto show as my first "shoot" using the D90. I am really looking forward to taking some great pictures of the show, especially the cars but am very concerned about the affects of the indoor lighting and whether the 18-200 is the good choice for lens to use.

I would really appreciate your advise and recommendations on what D90 camera settings to use, how to deal with the indoor lighting and what lens would make the best choice for shooting indoor car events like the New York auto show.

Cheers
--
Scott

The fast standard prime is most probably the best way to go - you have a pretty good quality/price-wise choice - 50mm f/1.4 - it won't break your bank and will autofocus on D90. The only "disadvantage" - you will have to move your feet for the composition
Here what I did with the kit 18-55VR with my D60





I wish I had a faster glass
--
An IT professional trying to become a photography amateur.

was this when the bmw art cars were in grand central station?
--
Dan
Nikon D60 - Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

What are you so worried about? You have the SB-600 flash don't you?

--
John Tatyosian
Check out my site: http://sites.google.com/site/JTatyosian

If you can afford it, try and get a fast prime lens either the 10.5 or as Ive just recently done the 35mm 1.8, its fast and has excellent DOF, Ive been using it inside of a night without the need of a flash and the images have proven to be outstanding, I would suggest however doing a custom white balance when inside under whatever lighting you are in, since I started using custome white balance Ive founf a marked improvement on the colours.

regards
Michael.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sutto007/

froda said:

was this when the bmw art cars were in grand central station?
--
Dan
Nikon D60 - Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

Click to expand...

Yes

Prime 50mm f/1.8 is much cheaper,and I think should be more than enough. As for the external flash, most of these events do not allow external flash/tripod use, check with the venue.

--
An IT professional trying to become a photography amateur.

Sutto007 said:

If you can afford it, try and get a fast prime lens either the 10.5
or as Ive just recently done the 35mm 1.8, its fast and has excellent
DOF, Ive been using it inside of a night without the need of a flash
and the images have proven to be outstanding, I would suggest however
doing a custom white balance when inside under whatever lighting you
are in, since I started using custome white balance Ive founf a
marked improvement on the colours.

regards
Michael.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sutto007/
--

Click to expand...

Or shoot in RAW/NEF - gives you more flexibility during the PP.
--
An IT professional trying to become a photography amateur.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Pretty sure shooting with flash at the show is not permitted but I am not certain of that.

Was looking at the new Nikon 35mm 1.8 but its on back order everywhere. Is the 35mm or 50mm the better choice?

Awhile back someone posted car show photos taken with the Sigma 10-20 lens which he recommended quite highly and the pictures looked very good. I have been also been considering the Nikon 24-70 lens. I know its expensive but is it a good choice for this type of photography or am I better off sticking with primes?

--
Scott

you can get right up on the cars and still get them all in the frame.

The problem is, at car shows, you've got lotsa people milling around, walkin in front of you and the cars...but, with a wide angle lens you can get right up to the 'ropes' and people won't be able to walk in front of you and stand there in your way/view!

I use my 17-70mm Sigma at car shows (or, in past, the 18-55 kit lens). I shoot the NAIAS held in Detroit every year, and if you click on my links (below) you can view the 2008 show (Flickr site).

Even if the cars aren't 'roped' off, the closer you can get to your subject/car, the better chance you have of people getting in your way.

As for WB, I use Auto WB, generally...or, you can set up your WB with the 'preset WB' if all the lighting is the same...or, just shoot in RAW and you can set the WB in post-processing.

My photog bud that usually goes to the shows with me uses a Canon 30D with a 12-22mm lens (I think that's the focal length).

We also do a lotta car shows outside, and the lighting is pretty harsh on sunny days...but, you can always 'fix' your exposures in post-processing when the WB/exposure is off.

I'm lusting for a 10-20 or 12-24 lens, but right now, $$$ is problematic ;-)

Oh...one more thing, regarding flash...I sometimes use the onboard flash at the shows if/when the lighting in a particular area of the show is weak. I've never had a problem using the flash at any show/s. But, it's not generally required since the lighting is usually decent at the bigger shows. The problem with using flash though is, it oftens puts a nice big bright spot on your car and blowing out your subject/highlights.

You may have to kick up your ISO a bit if you don't have a fast lens in order to get shutter speed high enough to avoid blurred shots.

You will probably mess up a few (or, alotta shots since you're new to shooting in that type of environment, but with a bit of practice you will get the hang of it and get some decent results.

Good Luck...

--
Jim K...just outside Detroit, MI
DeeEighty; DeeFifty; CeeTwentyOneHundred; EffZeeFiveK

http://www.pbase.com/jkorsog
http://motorcityjim.fotopic.net/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/motor_city_jim/

Here is my flickr album of autoshow. I brought my wife and my son, so not possible to carry a flash. I used 18-105mm in P mode without flash auto WB.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/drmelvinh/sets/72157610044699462/

shalliday said:

I recently purchased a new D90, 18-200 lens, SB600 flash and as a
novice, still have much to learn. Later this week I am going to the
New York Auto show as my first "shoot" using the D90. I am really
looking forward to taking some great pictures of the show, especially
the cars but am very concerned about the affects of the indoor
lighting and whether the 18-200 is the good choice for lens to use.

I would really appreciate your advise and recommendations on what D90
camera settings to use, how to deal with the indoor lighting and what
lens would make the best choice for shooting indoor car events like
the New York auto show.

Cheers
--
Scott

Click to expand...