NEX-5 with kit lenses in a nightclub - tips

MiL0 · Apr 26, 2011

Any ideas how to get decent photographs inside a nightclub with the NEX-5 and kit lenses? I've also got an SLR Magic and a couple of other manual lenses but would prefer to use autofocus (usually too drunk to bother!).

What I'm looking for is advice on which settings to use (shutter speed, mode, etc) to get the kind of shots I've posted below. I'm after two things really - one is the classic nightclub shot where all the lights/lasers/etc all 'streak' across the image. And the 2nd shot is just a really well exposed and sharp shot of a people dancing in low light... very difficult combination!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/afzaludin/5632283274/sizes/l/in/pool-26281555@N00/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/angerfistphotographer/5634508120/in/pool-26281555@N00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/angerfistphotographer/5633926741/in/pool-26281555@N00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/angerfistphotographer/5634507846/in/pool-26281555@N00

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.147038832029080.34354.102308813168749

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.140663209333309.31265.102308813168749

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.133715526694744.27791.102308813168749

h00ligan · Apr 26, 2011

Use a flash off camera, drag the shutter speed. Pocess extremely heavily (google Dave hill look).

mswlogo · Apr 26, 2011

h00ligan said:
Use a flash off camera, drag the shutter speed. Pocess extremely heavily (google Dave hill look).

Is there way to do off camera flash with the Nex?

I agree lots of post processing in those shots.

You could play around with Panorama by waving it around for some crazy effects.

You could also play with HDR and Anti Motion Blur.

And a ping pong ball on the flash.

Einmalumdiewelt · Apr 26, 2011

I always wanted to know how shot 4 & 5 get this look.
If you come across this, pleaaaase let me know.

Daniel Gazda · Apr 27, 2011

Hi, I think it's "slow sync flash" [see e.g. http://www.digital-photography-school.com/slow-sync-flash ].

Einmalumdiewelt said:
I always wanted to know how shot 4 & 5 get this look.
If you come across this, pleaaaase let me know.

Einmalumdiewelt · Apr 27, 2011

Cool thanks! Now I finally have a use for my flash

MiL0 · Apr 27, 2011

Daniel Gazda said:
Hi, I think it's "slow sync flash" [see e.g. http://www.digital-photography-school.com/slow-sync-flash ].

Einmalumdiewelt said:

I always wanted to know how shot 4 & 5 get this look.
If you come across this, pleaaaase let me know.

Click to expand...

ah nice one - I just tried this and set the shutter speed to 2 seconds... works really well! I found that subtle movements work better than large movements (LED's and strong light sources really give 'that' club photography look I was after)

thanks again

so what about getting decent sharpness and contrast inside nightclubs without the washed out, over exposed flash look?

h00ligan · Apr 27, 2011

Not sure... also, use a wide angle lens.

Overall, I'm not sure the NEX is the best candidate for shooting this type of stuff... due to lack of lenses and possible flash constraints.. but I'm sure a seasoned pro could work it out.

SimpleDesign · Apr 27, 2011

It's rear curtain sync on Nikon.....but basically you want your flash to fire at the end of your exposure. To black out the backgrounds you want a faster shutter speed. Then to get the rest of the look is post processing....search Dragan effect for the grunge look.

SimpleDesign · Apr 27, 2011

oh and practice like crazy!

pako · Apr 27, 2011

mswlogo said:
h00ligan said:

Use a flash off camera, drag the shutter speed. Pocess extremely heavily (google Dave hill look).

Click to expand...

Is there way to do off camera flash with the Nex?

http://www.adorama.com/MZ28CS2.html

mswlogo said:
I agree lots of post processing in those shots.

You could play around with Panorama by waving it around for some crazy effects.

Really hard, panorama Speed is 1/500...

mswlogo said:
You could also play with HDR and Anti Motion Blur.

flash wont reload fast enough for HDR.

mswlogo said:
And a ping pong ball on the flash.

:-/

--
Pako Dominguez
-----------------------
http://www.phototeka.net

pako · Apr 27, 2011

MiL0 said:
Any ideas how to get decent photographs inside a nightclub with the NEX-5 and kit lenses? I've also got an SLR Magic and a couple of other manual lenses but would prefer to use autofocus (usually too drunk to bother!).

What I'm looking for is advice on which settings to use (shutter speed, mode, etc) to get the kind of shots I've posted below. I'm after two things really - one is the classic nightclub shot where all the lights/lasers/etc all 'streak' across the image. And the 2nd shot is just a really well exposed and sharp shot of a people dancing in low light... very difficult combination!

Most of your sample shots were taken using "available light' and mixing lights with the flash.

if you have a spot light on, use it as main light. otherwise @800 ASA use about 1/15 at f:5.6 and pray for the camera to focus fast.

You can go lower on the speed and have the motion effect.

--
Pako Dominguez
-----------------------
http://www.phototeka.net

mswlogo · Apr 27, 2011

pako said:
mswlogo said:

h00ligan said:

Use a flash off camera, drag the shutter speed. Pocess extremely heavily (google Dave hill look).

Click to expand...

Is there way to do off camera flash with the Nex?

Click to expand...

http://www.adorama.com/MZ28CS2.html

pako said:

I agree lots of post processing in those shots.

You could play around with Panorama by waving it around for some crazy effects.

Click to expand...

Really hard, panorama Speed is 1/500...

pako said:

You could also play with HDR and Anti Motion Blur.

Click to expand...

flash wont reload fast enough for HDR.

pako said:

And a ping pong ball on the flash.

Click to expand...

:-/

--
Pako Dominguez
-----------------------
http://www.phototeka.net

Thanks for the correction and link to the flash.

I use HDR with low light (and no flash) all the time. The Stitcher is amazing. I often use it, instead of flash because it gives you another stop or two to work with. But things can't be moving around a lot.

But this may not work in this situation.

Anti Shake Mode works good too and boosts the shutter speed by quite a bit. You might get some accidental cool effects.

MiL0 · Jun 20, 2011

still struggling with this

I think I need try some different lenses... any recommendations?

Feyris_ · Jun 20, 2011

I did some nightclub picuture with the nex.

You can see them here: http://gabi.jourdane.net/index.php?album=Soir%C3%83%C2%A9e%2FSoiree+Fred+15+10+10+sel
I used the 16/2.8, who is nice for party (pocketable + low light)

I had some great shot with manual lenses (40/1.8) but here you must shoot before you get drunk

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NEX-5 with kit lenses in a nightclub - tips

MiL0

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h00ligan

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mswlogo

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Einmalumdiewelt

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Daniel Gazda

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MiL0

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SimpleDesign

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