Canon EOS 450D

[antz_1022]

I am using a Canon EOS 450D and I would like to take clear photos of specific individuals during parties or where there are lots of movements and with dim lights. What should I do? Should I change the existing lens of my camera? If yes, what can you suggest? Also, do I need to change or use an external flash?

[RichardTaylor]

What lens(es) do you have now?

[antz_1022]

I am using the built-in lens. I am planning to buy a new one but I do not know what type or the specification. I also want to buy a lens that I can use to take clear photos of food and flowers.

[RichardTaylor]

If your lens is the 18-55 "kit zoom lens" It should be ok for taking pics of food & flowers (but not super close ups.). However the lighting you are shooting in will make a big difference.

You may want to have a look at this tute on exposure

Exposure (1) A balancing act

and this one on lenses.

Lenses #1 - Introduction to DSLR lenses.

As for low light shooting of people goes there are a couple of ways you can approach it.

(1) Try using your existing on camera flash in Auto P mode and see how you go.
You should be able to capture pics with out buying and learning to use more equipment, however they will be the "standard snapshot with a flash" pics.

(2) You could purchase an additional flash that has a swivel head and bounce the light off a wall or ceiling. You will see improved results.

(3) Or (and) purchase a fast F2 at least lens (see the lens tutorial part #6) and use just the available light. The results can be very atmospheric, depending on the light. You nay need to learn noise reduction skills when post processing your pics.

[antz_1022]

Dear Mr. Taylor,

Thank you very much for your help. Can you recommend a specific brand or model of lens and flash that I can use for my Canon EOS 450D? Also may I know where/how to find the tutorial on lens that you mentioned? My apologies as I am a bit new here.

Antz

[antz_1022]

I found the topic already. Sorry. In addition to my lens concern, can you recommend a lens that I can use to shoot from afar like if I am in a party, I can shoot a specific individual like 5-8 meters? Is this possible?

[ceremus]

Originally Posted by antz_1022

I found the topic already. Sorry. In addition to my lens concern, can you recommend a lens that I can use to shoot from afar like if I am in a party, I can shoot a specific individual like 5-8 meters? Is this possible?

For that you will likely need a focal length of 200mm. If you want to do this without a flash you can get a fast tele-zoom like the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens, the one Canon makes is a superb lens, but is also costly. Be mindful of your lighting however, even at f/2.8 when indoors and in medium light you'll probably be pushing the upper limits of your 450D's ISO range (1600), especially if your subjects are actively moving and you need a faster shutter speed to capture them. Assuming you're permitted to use a flash, getting a decent speedlite would probably be wise.

[inkista]

70-200 f/2.8L II IS USM is $2500, and while it's a very good lens for this kind of thing, there is one point that needs to be made: it's not exactly a stealthy lens. You will be noticed if you're pointing a white L lens at people.



I'd actually recommend an EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, EF 85mm f/1.8 USM, or EF 100mm f/2 USM for someone on a lower budget, but they'll require a lot more running around than the 70-200 would, and you'll have to learn to get closer to your subject. And even with these much faster lenses, it's never going to be easy: those are very tough shooting conditions.

For a flash, I'd recommend getting a 430EX II or 580EX II. But I'd also caution you that if you are not yet comfortable shooting in full Manual mode, you may want to wait until you are before getting one: figuring out flash exposure is more complex than just juggling iso, aperture, and shutter speed.

I'd also say, crank your iso up to at least 800, if not 1600 or above.

[RichardTaylor]

For what focal length (and lens) see this dimensional filed of view calculator ( scroll down)
Just plug the numbers in.

http://www.tawbaware.com/maxlyons/calc.htm

For example your kit lens at 50mm will be able to capture a person 1.8m high at a subjecyt distance of 6m.

For the 70-200mm pictured above you will be basically getting head shots.

The 50mm F1.4 (fast) is a good suggestion.