40D + Lens + Low Light

[justanut]

Updates: FOUR
I imagine having difficulties with prime lens as the glass is in the way and there is no way for me to get any nearer without a zoom. [/COLOR]

Prime lens doesn't = short lens... Do you mean normal and tele?

Get a longer prime? I think a 85 is more than long enough if you find your current reach too short. Its shortest focusing distance is about 85cm, which is probably far enough for you, but will limit your field of view if your subject is larger than that 10 inch statue you showed.

50mm should be just about right.

The nearer you are (and seeing you are at 19mm) and the larger your aperture (you were wide open at 2.8), the shallower your DOF. So change one of the attributes to have a deeper DOF.

 

[Milopok]

Thanks for responding justanut.

Prime lens doesn't = short lens... Do you mean normal and tele?

Actually I am still trying to readup what is a tele:bsmilie:
I was also thinking of a 'normal zoom' lens, but those I think do not come with less than f2.8
At least with a zoom maybe up to a 100mm, I could have better reach

Get a longer prime? I think a 85 is more than long enough if you find your current reach too short. Its shortest focusing distance is about 85cm, which is probably far enough for you, but will limit your field of view if your subject is larger than that 10 inch statue you showed.

85cm is about 3feet, yes you are right, I will then end up with a limiting field of view as soon as the statue is more than 10inch in height or width

50mm should be just about right.

The nearer you are (and seeing you are at 19mm) and the larger your aperture (you were wide open at 2.8), the shallower your DOF. So change one of the attributes to have a deeper DOF.

the trouble is having to take those shots through a glass, if you don't jam the camera lens on the glass while taking the shot, you do end up with a whole lot of reflections (of the surrounding areas); if you use prime (either 50mm or 85mm I guess), the field of view is only good for one small section of a 6ft long statue, hmm....still very stuck with this

 

[justanut]

As long as the lens isn't a ZOOM lens (eg. 17-55, 24-70, 70-200), you're very likely to be able to get a PRIME lens (eg. 24, 35, 50, 85) at < f/2.8.

Since you want to jam up against the glass AND take the whole statue AND have sufficient light AND not have part of the statue OOF, i'll suggest using a tripod (for more light at low shutter and small aperture) and setting higher aperture (try 5.6 or 8? to have everything in focus).

 

[justanut]

Anyway, just to share.

I've already explained Prime and Zoom earlier.

Wide Angle Lens usually means anything less than 50mm.

Normal Lens usually means the good old 50mm.

Tele Lens usually means anything more than 50mm. But some break down into short tele (85, 100, 135mm) and super tele (200, 300, 400, 500, 600mm)

But take note because 40D is not a full frame camera, whatever lens you use will be multiplied by 1.6. Thus a 28 or 35mm lens will become "normal" on the 40D for example.

Headache?

 

[Milopok]

As long as the lens isn't a ZOOM lens (eg. 17-55, 24-70, 70-200), you're very likely to be able to get a PRIME lens (eg. 24, 35, 50, 85) at < f/2.8.

Since you want to jam up against the glass AND take the whole statue AND have sufficient light AND not have part of the statue OOF, i'll suggest using a tripod (for more light at low shutter and small aperture) and setting higher aperture (try 5.6 or 8? to have everything in focus).

Still digesting this bit. I had a quick check on the price list for a comparison on what is affordable to me yet could fit my requirements.

EF 28mm f/1.8 USM : on average $800
EF 35mm f/2 : on average $450
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM : on average $600
EF 50mm f/1.8 II : on average $130
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM : on average $700

Would the 28mm close to double the field of view when compared to the 50mm?

 

[Milopok]

As long as the lens isn't a ZOOM lens (eg. 17-55, 24-70, 70-200), you're very likely to be able to get a PRIME lens (eg. 24, 35, 50, 85) at < f/2.8.

Since you want to jam up against the glass AND take the whole statue AND have sufficient light AND not have part of the statue OOF, i'll suggest using a tripod (for more light at low shutter and small aperture) and setting higher aperture (try 5.6 or 8? to have everything in focus).

Still digesting this bit. I had a quick check on the price list for a comparison on what is affordable to me yet could fit my requirements.

EF 28mm f/1.8 USM : on average $800
EF 35mm f/2 : on average $450
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM : on average $600
EF 50mm f/1.8 II : on average $130
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM : on average $700

Would the 28mm close to double the field of view when compared to the 50mm?

 

[varf]

Since you want to jam up against the glass AND take the whole statue AND have sufficient light AND not have part of the statue OOF, i'll suggest using a tripod (for more light at low shutter and small aperture) and setting higher aperture (try 5.6 or 8? to have everything in focus).

if you keep the size of the subject in your frame constant.. then the DOF is the same for the same aperture used irrespective of focal length.

(this is not to say that the quality of the background blur will be the same, nor will the perspective...)

 

[Russ]

EF 28mm f/1.8 USM : on average $800
EF 35mm f/2 : on average $450
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM : on average $600
EF 50mm f/1.8 II : on average $130
EF 85mm f/1.8 USM : on average $700

Would the 28mm close to double the field of view when compared to the 50mm?

If I were you, I would stick to your Tamron and somehow start using lower shutter speeds and smaller apertures F5.6-F8. You will get better images and more depth of field. But that means you somehow need a tripod or monopod at the very least - perhaps monopod since you may find it diffcult to use a tripod and place the camera right up against the glass.

Another tip - get a piece of matt black thick paper, cut a hole in it so that if fits just at the end of the lens near the filter - try to cut accurately so that there are no holes. The paper should be roughly a donut shape. This way, you don't need to be right up against the glass as the paper/hood will block of most reflections if you are up to 2/3 inches away from the glass. It also allows you to shoot at a slight angle to the glass. What size? The bigger the better but not too big to attract undue attention from security - I would say 250mm if about right.

PS: PM me your email and I will see if I can send you a couple of my musuem-type photos.

 

[Milopok]

PS: PM me your email and I will see if I can send you a couple of my musuem-type photos.

Thanks for sharing your pics and the many other tips.

 

[Milopok]

Digested the other feedback from various one of you.

Think its still slightly overexposed on these two.

Not sure if this exposure is somewhat on the right track either.

More attempts here on the many magnificient Greek Masterpieces.

All comments welcome