dance/ theatre photography

[emmylou]

Hi,
I hope you guys can give me some advice. My daughter is performing a dance show at the theatre on Sunday and the instructor has asked me to take some photos for his website. I only have a sony A200 with a sigma 70-200mm 4.5F, Im not sure of the lighting, would imagine it will be the usual stage lighting, constantly changing. My question is: do I need a faster lens? I have taken some photos for my sons Aikido club before and struggled with the flourescent lighting, if set on high iso my camera seems to get unacceptably noisy...but maybe I was using the wrong settings! I was thinking of shooting in apperture and shutter priority rather than fully manual, but just not sure if my lens is up to the job. Any advice would be appreciated, I dont want to spend money on a new lens if its not necessary, but if I have to, what lens would be suitable, I dont mind if its uses extend to portraiture!
Thank you in advance x emm x

[RichardTaylor]

I some shoot classical music concerts with stage lighting only.

Normally:
ISO = maximum.
Usually aperture priority - although if the lighting is extreeme I will be shooting in manual.
Shoot RAW to give you more control when PPing, especially noise reduction.
Shoot at maximum, wide open, aperture and take what ever shutter speed you can get.
Use image stabilisation if you have it, although it won't help with subject motion, or use a mono pod.
Know how to read a histogram - it is your best guide to seeing if your exposure is "correct".
If you find you have enough light consider reducing the ISO or aperture (depending ontyhe DOF you need and/or lens IQ)
If you find you do not have enough light you can go 2 ways;
(1) Use a faster lens (rental?) - I like to use F2 lenses.
(2) Under expose your pics and push them when PPing - the results will be noisy and possibly more "arty",however it may meet your needs.

Another alternative may be to shoot a rehearsal where you may be able to use flash.

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

i'm currently in my school's theatre program, and i often take photographs whenever i'm not onstage or backstage. i use a 50mm f/1.8 for my primary shooting. stage lights are very unforgiving, so i recommend trying to get your settings in fast and solid, and be sure to play with white balance for a natural look. since the lights are always changing, i do suggest a fast lens, such as a prime, which are also fairly priced. for instance, the 50mm f/1.8. all the other kids who photograph drama events at my school now use 50mm f/1.8s too!

[SwissJon]

I shot at a circus school recently, and I'd suggest that I have very similar problems to you.

Yes, your lens is too slow. I had a similar speed lens and found that at about ISO 1600 I could get about 1/100s which still showed movement blur, and was just about able to get rid of the noise in lightroom.. But I think the A200 I used to have was a bit noisier at 1600 than my D7000.

I'd suggest the 50mm f1.8 is about the best option you can get without emptying out your bank account.. There are plenty of old Minolta lenses that will fit your camera that might have a fast (2.8 or above) speed which you can pick up at a reasonable price (the "AF 70-210 Beercan" is a constant F/4 lens comes to mind, it's cheap and should give you better IQ than the sigma you have) with a 50mm, you will need to be very close to the stage to get any decent shots.

[emmylou]

Thanks for the advice guys, just wondering if an 85mm prime 2.8 would do the job as I've heard thats great for portraits too? Thing is, Im not sure if Im gonna change camera make soon from sony to canon or nikon, so worried about spending on lenses, or maybe stick with sony and upgrade to a better model, so still unsure what to do. what do you think about changing models, Im happy with the quality of the sonys that I have seen, but I am wanting to learn more and try to make a career out of photography, not sure how far sony can take me? Although I am thinking its the person behind the camera that counts! If I stick with the sony, would the 85mm prime be suitable?
Thanks Emm x

[RichardTaylor]

It will help.
However weather it will be enough it will depend on the lighting, the ISO and the shutter speed you want to use.
With a F2.8 lens, compared to the F.4 lens you have now, you have the option of approximately halving your ISO or doubling your shutter speed.

For the events I shoot I am normally shooting at F2 at ISO 3200 and not going under 1/200 with a 135mm lens (for the head shots etc). For the wider captures I am still shooting at ISO 3200 and F4 @ 1/40 (which would be too slow for dance unless you capture just the peaks of the action.) if I am using my "standard zoom (which is F4 wide open)".
I prefer to use F2 or F2.8 primes.

I havn't used Sony cameras (I shoot with Canon cameras) so I can't commet on them.

[inkista]

The Zeiss ZA Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 is probably the lens you want, but it costs considerably more than your camera did. The 50/1.8 is probably your lowest-cost way forward if you aren't sure yet which system you're going to use.

You could also look for an old used Minolta AF 50mm f/1.7, 85mm f/1.4, or 135mm f/2.8. Or, if you think you can swing manual focusing, there's the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4.

I use a 135mm f/2 for shooting at science fiction conventions, and while I might be able to squeak by with an f/2.8 lens, I find I really prefer having f/2 or faster, mostly for the 1/focal_length rule of thumb for eliminating camera shake. Since Sony has in-body stabilization, though, you might be able to better cope with having an f/2.8 lens.

[mad editor]

Rehearsal would be best. When I worked at the opera, I did the publicity shots onstage with stage lighting. But I cold get right up close and personal to take them because it wasn't an actual performance. I'd think they wouldn't want you using flash at performance or rehearsal. Faster lens the better.

[ElCapitanoAwesomo]

Originally Posted by mad editor

Rehearsal would be best. When I worked at the opera, I did the publicity shots onstage with stage lighting. But I cold get right up close and personal to take them because it wasn't an actual performance. I'd think they wouldn't want you using flash at performance or rehearsal. Faster lens the better.

this post is very correct. some of the best shots in this environment are almost always from rehearsals where you arent trying to not block someone's view. plus there's definite advantages, such as being able to run right to the front when needed to. when the performers move, so can you, so youcan get the shot you want!

and from a performance aspect, flashes SUCK! a kid from my school's paper used one and blinded me while i was on top of a 10 foot high platform (on the edge, without my glasses, mind you) and i nearly fell off!

[emmylou]

I have been doing loads of research and found that the sigma lens is preferred to the sony, the sony 85mm is so cheap but after looking at the reviews, am thinking of going sigma, I am ok with manual focus but have no experience with minolta or rokinon lenses, are they as sharp (i know the minolta is auto focus). I want to do a good job and have requested that I can be there at rehearsal, which is fine but the dancers will not be in costume. I suggested that maybe they could try them on for a little while for me to get the shots. I cant get to the venue to check out the lighting, and am still undecided as to a 50mm or 85mm, it has to be suitable for portraits,and I worry that the 50mm is not going to get me close enough (I am tring my hand at lifestyle photography and photograph a lot of kids, so normally stick with my 70-300) Oh how I wish for an endless supply of money! Gotta make a desicion today so any last thoughts on the best lens......your votes please!