What would you do? Upgrade body? Use external flash?

[g75yu]

Thanks everyone for helpful comments. To elaborate on a few points:

I normally like to take close up portraits of my baby, so for my 50 1.4, stopping down to lower than F2 gives too shallow a DOF for my liking. Only part of the face will be in focus/sharp. Ideally I like F2.8 if there's enough light.

Its personal preference, but I find on the 40D that ISO of 1600 unacceptable and even at 800 its not great and try not to use it unless really need to.

Using my 24-105, I typically take at 105mm and F4. In this case a shutter speed of 1/60 is a bit too slow (based on my handholding skills) and I get the handshake blur.

So looks like if I can't improve steadiness of hands, that upgrading to a 5dmk2 might be a solution. Noticed not many people suggest just using the flash more often.

 

[lovesg]

Hi pal

I had 40D too. I supposed you had stepped down to keep it sharp, as the high CA (Chroma Abbrevation) in F1.4 can caused a picture to look blur. To my understanding, CA is prominent in daylight where there is high contrast scene. In indoor, you can try to use F1.4/F1.8 + ISO 800 + EV -1/3 (for AV mode) or you can try to use F1.4/1.8 + 1/80 + ISO 1000 (for manual mode). I tried it and it works!

Currently have a 40D, 430EXII, 50mm 1.4 and 24-105L. Take a lot of baby pictures indoors very often in the evening when natural lighting is dimming and not keen to turn on the bright lights and wake the baby. Trying to avoid using the flash too if I can.

But most of the shots are coming out blurry as shutter speed is 1/60 or slower (even at F2 thereabouts) and my handholding is not the most secure. And I am trying to keep the ISO to 400 (max 800) as 40D noise is high already at these levels.

Any suggestions on how to improve the pictures?

Would you spend money to upgrade body to a better high ISO one (like 5dMkII, 7D, 50D) - but would this be good enough or would I still eventually need to depend on the external flash? Should I just stick to the 40D and use the flash more often? Using a Tripod is probably a bit too troublesome and may miss the shot by then.

 

[DinoSG]

there are alot of ways as suggested by others..why not take photos of your BB earlier??? afternoon instead of evening when its dim..i believe the lights that comes in to hse will not be harsh either. just have to adjust your camera..and no money needs to be spend. thats what i did for my kid..

 

[TonyT]

Thanks everyone for helpful comments. To elaborate on a few points:

I normally like to take close up portraits of my baby, so for my 50 1.4, stopping down to lower than F2 gives too shallow a DOF for my liking. Only part of the face will be in focus/sharp. Ideally I like F2.8 if there's enough light.

Its personal preference, but I find on the 40D that ISO of 1600 unacceptable and even at 800 its not great and try not to use it unless really need to.

Using my 24-105, I typically take at 105mm and F4. In this case a shutter speed of 1/60 is a bit too slow (based on my handholding skills) and I get the handshake blur.

So looks like if I can't improve steadiness of hands, that upgrading to a 5dmk2 might be a solution. Noticed not many people suggest just using the flash more often.

Below is a test shot I did last night with 40D, 1600ISO, 1/15 SP, 100-400mm@400mm. I think it's totally usable: noise, sharpness wise.

 

[soons]

I am still wondering why TS said his ISO800/ISO1600 doesn't look good.
40D is 10MP, unless you are taking each picture for poster prints, you can try shooting in raw, d apply some noise reduction then resize to 5MP. It should be sharp is pretty noise free.

 

[g75yu]

Thanks everyone. Will go try out the suggestions!

 

[kiwitan]

Currently have a 40D, 430EXII, 50mm 1.4 and 24-105L. Take a lot of baby pictures indoors very often in the evening when natural lighting is dimming and not keen to turn on the bright lights and wake the baby. Trying to avoid using the flash too if I can.

But most of the shots are coming out blurry as shutter speed is 1/60 or slower (even at F2 thereabouts) and my handholding is not the most secure. And I am trying to keep the ISO to 400 (max 800) as 40D noise is high already at these levels.

Any suggestions on how to improve the pictures?

Would you spend money to upgrade body to a better high ISO one (like 5dMkII, 7D, 50D) - but would this be good enough or would I still eventually need to depend on the external flash? Should I just stick to the 40D and use the flash more often? Using a Tripod is probably a bit too troublesome and may miss the shot by then.

u can buy neatimage to make your image neatier? cheaper than buying a new body or flash.

 

[hobbit6003]

TS, I think that the thing called into question here is most likely to your technique.

1/60s is relatively fast enough to handhold, and cranking up your ISO, will most likely get you to shoot a little faster. Sleeping babies are way easier to shoot than toddler running around, they don't move at all! I you can't even steady your hand and take a good shot, buying a 5D MKII and or the 1DMk IV isn;t going to help you in anyway! In fact, it is going to get worse as they are heavier than your current setup.

The 40D is very decent enough to use, even up to ISO1600. I realise that many who are concern about noise level in pictures, are usually newbies who have not experienced high speed film before.

Have an introspect and practice more before blaming the equipment.

 

[icelava]

How about a cheaper option? Use tripod or monopod? :think:

yea if your arms are so unstable, use a tripod since a sleeping baby hardly moves.

So looks like if I can't improve steadiness of hands, that upgrading to a 5dmk2 might be a solution. Noticed not many people suggest just using the flash more often.

you will be utterly disappointed if you think that is a solution.

 

[soons]

I am wondering if TS have shaky hands... I know a friend who really have shaky hands, holding chopsticks during meals can also see his hand vibrating.
Could TS have similar shaky hands that causes picture to blur even at 1/60 at 50mm? Or could that be OOF?

 

[shannadaluc]

Why buy a new lens or new body when the problem you are having is due to lack of camera stability combined with low light?
Best option is to invest in a monopod (only because you mentioned that setting up the tripod might take too long).
Much more effective than the other options mentioned above, and cheaper as well !!

 

[hoppie]

my neighbour is using a 40D, i saw his pictured took at iso1600, the picture looks fine leh, how come TS can't take at 1600? hmm......

Could it be your lens does not have IS?

 

[billpepsi]

Currently have a 40D, 430EXII, 50mm 1.4 and 24-105L. Take a lot of baby pictures indoors very often in the evening when natural lighting is dimming and not keen to turn on the bright lights and wake the baby. Trying to avoid using the flash too if I can.

But most of the shots are coming out blurry as shutter speed is 1/60 or slower (even at F2 thereabouts) and my handholding is not the most secure. And I am trying to keep the ISO to 400 (max 800) as 40D noise is high already at these levels.

Any suggestions on how to improve the pictures?

Would you spend money to upgrade body to a better high ISO one (like 5dMkII, 7D, 50D) - but would this be good enough or would I still eventually need to depend on the external flash? Should I just stick to the 40D and use the flash more often? Using a Tripod is probably a bit too troublesome and may miss the shot by then.

Was your baby moving when the photo were takens?

 

[hobbit6003]

Was your baby moving when the photo were takens?

Aiyo, as he mentioned, the baby was asleep la, dun tell me the baby sleepwalk ah?

To me, it's a case of a newbie who has yet to learn how to handle his equipment. Once he gains the experience and practice more, he'd be fine.

Noise intolerance is one of the signs and symptoms of being a newbie....just ask yourself, before 5D MKII, low light photography is impossible?

Noise and having blurry shots are completely different thing altogether.

 

[VB2009]

Yup, agree with the previous posters that you should try to get a tri/monopod OR just buy a $20 diffuser for your flash and use it (so that it will be indirect flash).

If you really think that a 5D will solve your problem, then rent it for a few days first.