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caribbeansun

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Being relatively new to the DSLR world I feel that I'm progressing reasonably well along the learning curve but I've slammed into a real barrier and there may not be an answer to it which is why I am posing the following to the wealth of knowledge to be found here:

The problem is shooting in low light, most often indoors and not wanting to use a flash. This was most apparent with the arrival of our new granddaughter - I didn't want to be firing off the FL-36r while taking pictures of a new born. I just bought the flash so I've got some learning on that as well.

Assuming that I don't want to use the flash which standard grade lens is best for such low light situations? Unfortunately, I don't have the budget to purchase a PL25 such as in Roel's thread no matter how much those shots made me want one.

Thanks in advance.

Carl

PS - Currently the only two I've had any luck with (albeit high frustration) are the 35mm and 9-18mm
 
I use the 50mm Zuiko Digital quite often at 2.0 indoors, giving me nice pics of our baby boy (I also don't want to flash the little ones too much.) It gives you great pics and a nice bokeh, but its focal length might be too long for some (It's ok for me).

Also, make sure you bump the ISO up. Personally I don't mind shooting at 1600 if it gives me a shot I otherwise wouldn't get. Better some noisy pics than blurred ones :)
 
caribbeansun said:
Being relatively new to the DSLR world I feel that I'm progressing reasonably well along the learning curve but I've slammed into a real barrier and there may not be an answer to it which is why I am posing the following to the wealth of knowledge to be found here:

The problem is shooting in low light,
Click to expand...
"Low light" with my Olympus E-bodies using either my f/2 14-35mm lens or a kit lens, is a snap as long as I remember not to shoot moving objects .
caribbeansun said:
most often indoors and not wanting to use a flash. This was most apparent with the arrival of our new granddaughter - I didn't want to be firing off the FL-36r while taking pictures of a new born. I just bought the flash so I've got some learning on that as well.

Assuming that I don't want to use the flash which standard grade lens is best for such low light situations? Unfortunately, I don't have the budget to purchase a PL25 such as in Roel's thread no matter how much those shots made me want one.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
As long as you insist on shooting moving objects in low light with slow lenses, there is not solution to your "moving baby" scenario.
 
The following were shot in the McMichael Gallery, which houses many works of native artisans and members of The Group of Seven. Lighting is kept quite low and flash is not permitted, as it might damage the works. Only white balance correction and some unsharp mask has been used. E-3 with Sigma 30mm F1.4 HSM.



















--
D620L -> D540 -> C750UZ -> E-500 -> E-510 -> E-3 + E-30 + E-P1
 
I used to have the OM 50mm 1.4 with adapter on my E-510 (and later on my E-3):



Then i bought the Sigma 30mm 1.4 to go with my E-3:



Frankly the Sigma kept being in my bag all the time and the Zuiko at home. :)
No adapter, small, auto-focus and overall good.

As it was recently stolen i will buy it again as it is a very good value for a reasonable price.
 
caribbeansun said:
The problem is shooting in low light, most often indoors and not wanting to use a flash. This was most apparent with the arrival of our new granddaughter - I didn't want to be firing off the FL-36r while taking pictures of a new born. I just bought the flash so I've got some learning on that as well.
Click to expand...
You might try giving the flash a go with the baby. Just bounce it and use some negative flash compensation to reduce the output a bit. We just had our first, and she's completely unbothered by flash used this way. In fact, between the flash and the sound of the shutter, it really helps to get her interested and looking at the camera. (Your granddaughter might not respond so well, of course.)
 
I can only speak for the 50mm f2, although it is not a very wide angle for indoor shots I use it almost exclusively indoors. The lens is fast enough that I rarely go above ISO 400 with other ambient lighting and 800 in really low light, I am still able to get off a clean shot so if needed I can boost the exposure, dark, or mid tones later. I find that if I use my flash (fl36) with this lens I am always trying to get it to the lowest setting or else the lighting is too harsh, but it works well for me. I think you can pick one up for around $350 at KEH.com (used) or maybe even new if you search hard. The ultimate would be a f1.4 or F1.8 lens but the price will rise as the f# lowers, the 50mm f2 has worked good for me and produces tack sharp images. Good luck

--
And now for something totally different
Tim
 
Generally, I use my Fuji F40fd or one of my Canon SD models with IS (SD700 or SD850), and finagle for some window light for a few shots. The pictures are fine, and Moments with Baby take higher priority than Photo Session.

I'm sure my C-8080's 2.4 lens, or my Canon slr with 1.4 lens would be up to it, but noodling with cameras is way down the list from being in the moment.

In 40 years, no one will care that you shot with a 1.4 lens.

Enjoy.

Zin
 
Thank you for all the good information. I'll look into the Sigmas and keep an eye out for the 50mm - thanks for the link to the used site.

Cheers!
 
Like you I have the FL36 and when shooting what I will call "snap shots" (because they are taken so fast you can't prepare for them) I have found the FL36 can't keep up. I have tried all different type of batteries and found that the sanyo's work by far the best but you still find myself waiting on the flash.

I have a E30 and I still am careful to stay below 1000 iso. What I have found helpful is to change my focus points down to the center 5 instead of using all of them. Additionally I use the built in flash with a Gary Fong Puffer http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html , this thing is great!! Again we are talking "snap shots", for 20 bucks you improve the quality of a very fast flash right on your camera by about 100% . If you keep your camera batteries fresh you can really shoot a lot of quick low light images at "snap shot" quality !

Hope this helps.
 
Excellent - thank you for this!

I find it interesting that the testimonial on the Puffer page is from an Olympus user that attached the Puffer to their FL36 for taking pictures of their new grandson! Talk about a coincidence.

Cheers!
KyShooter said:
Like you I have the FL36 and when shooting what I will call "snap shots" (because they are taken so fast you can't prepare for them) I have found the FL36 can't keep up. I have tried all different type of batteries and found that the sanyo's work by far the best but you still find myself waiting on the flash.

I have a E30 and I still am careful to stay below 1000 iso. What I have found helpful is to change my focus points down to the center 5 instead of using all of them. Additionally I use the built in flash with a Gary Fong Puffer http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html , this thing is great!! Again we are talking "snap shots", for 20 bucks you improve the quality of a very fast flash right on your camera by about 100% . If you keep your camera batteries fresh you can really shoot a lot of quick low light images at "snap shot" quality !

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
 
I usually bounce the flash behind me and up to the ceiling, that way folks don't see the flash so much (quicker for them to get used to it and ignore it) and it leaves a better looking image imho.

Lee
--

I'm technically not a 'qualified professional photographer', but I play one online.....
 
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