Which lens to use

Gerrys · 03-15-2009, 09:43 AM

I have a K10D with the DA55-300 ad DA 18-55 lens. I was shooting at my granddaughter's birthday party with the 55-300. it was indoors and sometimes, and no matter what setting, I just couldn't get a good shot. it was either to dark or to light. I had the flash on. Should I have been using the 18-55 lens instead? I wanted close, but I guess the 55-300 had too much reach for this situation. Could I get a little advice here? I am a little new to this

Thanks

-=JoN=- · 03-15-2009, 10:46 AM

i would've stuck w/ the 18-55.
the 55-300 is too long for the flash to reach...and not speedy enough to get away w/ hand held shots..(and too long)

I stay away from using long zooms on indoor shots...as much as possible anyway

**Ash** · 03-15-2009, 10:56 AM

I assume you're using the camera's pop-up flash - if that's the case, then definitely just use the 18-55 lens and either use green mode (if you're not confident with the settings) or set to f/5.6-8 with a reasonably high ISO, like 400-800.

Indoor shots are greatly improved if you have an external flash with tilt/swivel functions, though.

Vinfer · 03-15-2009, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by Gerrys

I have a K10D with the DA55-300 ad DA 18-55 lens. I was shooting at my granddaughter's birthday party with the 55-300. it was indoors and sometimes, and no matter what setting, I just couldn't get a good shot. it was either to dark or to light. I had the flash on. Should I have been using the 18-55 lens instead? I wanted close, but I guess the 55-300 had too much reach for this situation. Could I get a little advice here? I am a little new to this

Thanks

Much has to be said. My advice, frankly, is to study some of the main bases of the use of a flash (external) on a good manual/book camera. You could use flash
projecting towards the ceiling (if low) to diffuse the light.
If you do not want to use flash and want to exploit the light environment:
An advice: bright lens (at least 2.8), shooting in raw, exposure spot take over the faces with slight overexposure to keep details in dark areas (then, if you prefeer, you can increase the contrast working in pp)...etc...etc...

Gerrys · 03-15-2009, 12:23 PM

Thank you all. Good advice

roentarre · 03-15-2009, 03:21 PM

Moved to lens section.

03-15-2009, 09:43 AM	#1
Gerrys Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New jersey Photos: Gallery Posts: 152	Which lens to use I have a K10D with the DA55-300 ad DA 18-55 lens. I was shooting at my granddaughter's birthday party with the 55-300. it was indoors and sometimes, and no matter what setting, I just couldn't get a good shot. it was either to dark or to light. I had the flash on. Should I have been using the 18-55 lens instead? I wanted close, but I guess the 55-300 had too much reach for this situation. Could I get a little advice here? I am a little new to this Thanks

03-15-2009, 10:46 AM	#2
-=JoN=- Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 999	i would've stuck w/ the 18-55. the 55-300 is too long for the flash to reach...and not speedy enough to get away w/ hand held shots..(and too long) I stay away from using long zooms on indoor shots...as much as possible anyway

03-15-2009, 10:56 AM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I assume you're using the camera's pop-up flash - if that's the case, then definitely just use the 18-55 lens and either use green mode (if you're not confident with the settings) or set to f/5.6-8 with a reasonably high ISO, like 400-800. Indoor shots are greatly improved if you have an external flash with tilt/swivel functions, though.

03-15-2009, 11:30 AM	#4
Vinfer Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ottaviano (Italy) Posts: 56	Originally posted by Gerrys I have a K10D with the DA55-300 ad DA 18-55 lens. I was shooting at my granddaughter's birthday party with the 55-300. it was indoors and sometimes, and no matter what setting, I just couldn't get a good shot. it was either to dark or to light. I had the flash on. Should I have been using the 18-55 lens instead? I wanted close, but I guess the 55-300 had too much reach for this situation. Could I get a little advice here? I am a little new to this Thanks Much has to be said. My advice, frankly, is to study some of the main bases of the use of a flash (external) on a good manual/book camera. You could use flash projecting towards the ceiling (if low) to diffuse the light. If you do not want to use flash and want to exploit the light environment: An advice: bright lens (at least 2.8), shooting in raw, exposure spot take over the faces with slight overexposure to keep details in dark areas (then, if you prefeer, you can increase the contrast working in pp)...etc...etc...

03-15-2009, 12:23 PM	#5
Gerrys Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New jersey Photos: Gallery Posts: 152 Original Poster	Thank you all. Good advice

03-15-2009, 03:21 PM	#6
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Moved to lens section.