Lens for indoor (HDB) video shoot

[aikaramba86]

Hello everybody! here is my dilemma.

I have promised a friend video for her birthday celebration in her HDB 4rm flat. Will be doing this video as a gift and will be doing it completely FOC.

I am a newbie and have not really shot video's indoors especially in a small space probably with many people around and in a low light situation as the party is in the evening. Will be renting LED video lights for sure (learnt my lesson the hard way with noisy footage due to high iso)

I currently own a 650D with a Sigma 30mm 1.4 prime. I am not sure if this lens will be wide enough or I should rent a Tokina 11-16 or a Tamron 24-70. I thought the zoom will be handy to shoot from a distance as I'm expecting the house to be crowded.

What do you'll think? Thank in advance guys!

 

[hamanoshun]

A fast lens will do for me, unless her house is pitch dark which I assume it won't be.

A LED light is intrusive but if you're among friends I guess that shouldn't matter.

 

[kandinsky]

Hmm...that's almost 50mm equivalent, might find it limiting in a crowded environment, but should still be able to put together something good, just more effort to get there. Another factor to consider is shakiness, which may be more apparent compared to a wider lens. I would be quite reluctant to spend for a goodwill shoot though. You're already contributing time & effort. If you're not sure if your setup will work, since it's a friend, should be easy to pop by the actual apartment in the evening and check things out. Do a couple of test shots with actual lighting etc (check for flickering and take note of the shutter speed). Then assess if you really really need to spend money. I would also ask her if she has any friends who may own the equipment you need (esp those attending the party too), then she can ask if her friends are willing to loan it to her. This way, they're doing her, the birthday girl, a favour.

Questions to ask:
- Approx headcount
- Expected 'ambience' / Type of lighting - Will all lights be on, or more cosy with deliberate dim lighting?

 

[aikaramba86]

hamanoshun > I have never used LED lights before. Thinking about it, it is very intrusive. Will try to mange with the lens. Thanks for the input!

kandinsky > wider the lens = less shakiness? I didn't know that. Guess it's cos of my lack of experience. Learnt something new I have to agree with the spending part, I'm doing this out of goodwill anyways
Estimated head count is about 30+ pax and lights in the house is normal fluorescent lights. I will just use my lens and try to work around it.

 

[hamanoshun]

The shakiness is less noticeable, it's not lesser because you use a wider lens.