Shooting in low-light with Canon Rebel XSi - how is it?

Hello all. As someone making their first foray into DSLR's, I've finally decided on Canon's Rebel XSi. I know it's a little older, but I've got quite a tight budget and I don't need the video capabilities of newer models.

What I am interested in are low-lit photos with a lot of contrast, most likely of still people; I don't plan on needing to accommodate much movement. I know it might be challenging given that I can't afford the best equipment, but isn't that the fun of it?

So I'd like to know if anyone knows of any relatively inexpensive lenses that may be good for me to try, tips regarding an quirks the camera has, or other general advice.

Although I don't have the same targets as you, but today exactly one year background as XSi owner:

• shoot RAW, if necessary push up to ISO1600 and underexpose by one to two stops
• practice your handheld technique to near-perfection, consider tripod or monopod for challenging exposure times
• staying on low-budget: the kit lens is optically very good and comes with IS = helps you with those longer exposure times
• staying on low-budget -part 2: EF 50mm F1.8 seems to be a best bang for the buck for fast portrait lens for crop body as XSi, you can have this for around 100€/$

I hope someone has examples of low-light people shots - I don't unfortunately have suitable examples to share.
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DSRL newbie stretching his limits

I haven't had experience working with exposures and such yet, so thanks for the tip. I will definitely be investing in a tripod, and I've also looked at that EF 50mm F1.8 lens.

Has anyone tried it? I heard it breaks easily... but I guess you get what you pay for.

The Canon 50mm 1.8 lens is a fantastic budget lens. You say that you've heard it breaks easily - I guess that depends on how you handle it. People who have things that break tend to shout the loudest, so I wouldn't pay much attention to that.

The 50mm 1.8 lens is really nice even wide open. You have to be aware of the very narrow DOF that you get when open that wide, but you can create some very nice effects with it. For the cost of the lens, I'd say it was well worth it (especially if you don't want to spend the extra to go up to the 50mm 1.2 or similar).

One non-human example from a wine cellar

JPEG straight out of hand-held XSi, EF-S 18-55 kit lens with IS used

ISO1600 -1EV evaluative metering resulted to exposure values of f3.5, 1/5sec. Even though one could pixel-peep about noise and motion blur, I am quite happy with the outcome considering the limitations of the available light.



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DSRL newbie stretching his limits

wrestling said:

One non-human example from a wine cellar

JPEG straight out of hand-held XSi, EF-S 18-55 kit lens with IS used

ISO1600 -1EV evaluative metering resulted to exposure values of f3.5, 1/5sec. Even though one could pixel-peep about noise and motion blur, I am quite happy with the outcome considering the limitations of the available light.

Click to expand...

the Canon 18-55IS kit lens is sharp and the XSi is pretty good at ISO 1600 but if I shot a lot of low light stuff I'd get a good prime like Canon 35 or even the cheap Sigma 30 1.4

My recommendations….in no particular order.

• Monopod
• Tripod
• Flash
• Fast lens
• Don’t be afraid to jack up the ISO

When it comes to low ambient lighting and being mobile, I would suggest that you use a monopod…which is particularly useful if you are on the move a lot, in tight places.

Monopods are excellent tools to help eliminate your “up and down” motion, and to provide a steady platform for the side-to-side and front-to-back motion. Especially if you are using a lens without IS. And with good bracing techniques between you and the monopod you’ll be able to capture some good photos.

Used a monopod, ISO 1600, Shutter 1/8 sec, at f/5



Flash is also a good technique.

You’d exposure for the ambient light, and use the flash to freeze the motion of the foreground subject.
I metered and exposed for the background: ISO 1000, Shutter 1/8 sec at f/4.5
I used my flash to expose the foreground



A tripod with a shutter release is also an awesome tool for nighttime shots when you want to capture the motion.

ISO 400, Shutter 13 sec, at f/14



Using the right lens can be a huge advantage…but if you are on a shoe string budget, then it’ll really amount to a few things:

• How skilled you are with your gear
• How well you know your gears limitations
• Your technique, particularly in stance and hand holding
• Your understanding with regards to exposure: ISO/Shutter/Aperture

Boils down to practice, practice, practice.

Best Regards,
Mike

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B.R.A.S.S. (Breathe, Relax, Aim, Sight, Squeeze)