Need Digital SLR Camera for Indoors

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Syzygy78

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Hi Guys,

We are shopping around for a good (also economical if possible) digital SLR camera that can take excellent indoor photographs for a magazine. The lighting levels vary from reasonable to quite dark. Which camera/lens would you guys recommend? For the lens, it would be nice if it had some kind of zoom capability. I was thinking of maybe say a 28mm - 135mm lens. But this might end up being a bit slow for a low lit hall or room. We can compromise on the lens a little, perhaps say maybe 28mm - 105mm.

The lens must be fast so that there wont be any camera shake. The camera must also have a decent amount of MP's. The budget is around 12k - 15k

Any input will be greatly appreciated

Thx,
Syzygy
 
Will you be using available light or would you be keen on on a multiple flash setup?
 
If you're using available light . . . will a slow shutter speed & tripod arrangement be ok or do you want fast glass?
 
Ahh sorry, I forgot to mention the flash.

I will use a fairly powerful one, I dont have the flash with me to give the specs. But it is quite good.

I don't think a tripod/multiple flash setup will be an option as most times you need to be very mobile. I have considered say a monopod type setup but it becomes rather cumbersome after a while trying to get to another part of a venue rather quickly to get some good pics.

In many situations, I have to switch the flash off as the reflection of various objects makes the pics unusable. So for about 50% of the time I will have to make use of available lighting.

Thanks :)
 
Will there be any subject movement (iow people)?

BTW - I got a really nice National Geographic branded tripod for Xmas - lightweight and very portable.
 
I think the slowest I could go on the shutter speed is around 1/30th of a second but I would prefer 1/60th.

Overall I want mobility mixed with the ability to take good pics in low lighting conditions without having to rely much on the flash. Sometimes the hall may be rather big and the usefulness of the flash is lessened.
 
yea, there will be people walking around, which usually is the biggest challenge. More often than not these functions that I attend are very fashion oriented with models walking around showcasing various products. Sometimes the light is good, sometimes it is not.
 
Maybe one of the newer high ISO nikons? Not sure about what glass to recommend though.

I've got a fast Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L that I use for indoor shots but it might not have the reach you need. Plus it would blow your budget right out of the water. :o
 
We would like more to spend on the camera, but unfortunately that is what the budget is at the moment ;(

Which camera are you using?
 
This isn't an easy question to answer.

But this is what you need to consider:

The camera is just a box that captures light. Sure it has the little processor because it is digital. Pretty much any of the DSLRs on the market have more than enough megapixels. What is important with any photography is the quality of the glass. A DSLR system allows you to change the lenses - there are some very good prosumer cameras that have a fixed lense. Next, you need to think about lighting - on camera flashes are usually not very flattering. Mounting a camera on a tripod to take long exposures may not work either as office lighting appears different on 'film' than it does on site. Cameras are able to compensate to some extent by adjusting the white balance.

What type of shots are you taking - if you are a 'Heat' type of magazine then the quality isn't your biggest concern. If you are an 'Architectual Digest' type, I'd suggest economical shouldn't be in your vocabulory.
 
Syzygy78 said:
yea, there will be people walking around, which usually is the biggest challenge. More often than not these functions that I attend are very fashion oriented with models walking around showcasing various products. Sometimes the light is good, sometimes it is not.
Click to expand...

Sounds like 'grab' shots - maybe a Canon S6 or similar.
 
Your best bet is to get what you can afford that can cover you with High ISO capabilities up to 6400 and a lens aperture of F/2.8, this will allow you to work with natural light and make use os subtle (manually controlled) fill flash. Unfortunately your budget pretty much throws any SLR capable of this out of your reach and you would have to look at something in the point and shoot range. A Powershot G10 produces great images, has a hot shoe for an external flash and is within your budget.
 
Well I don't know what they cost at the moment but my suggestion would be to go for a 2nd hand Canon 5D and get a fast prime. If the 5D is too expensive a 400d etc will do but remember that the crop factor makes it a bit iffy for cramped indoors.

I use a 1D with a 24 F1.4 or a 50 F1.2 for indoors. I can get really high shutter speeds so maybe a 35 F2 would work pretty well, maybe also have a look at the 50 F1.8(yes it's plastic but it still does a good job and only costs around R1k.. Also remember you always have "Foot Zoom" :D

Depth of field can become an issue with the fast glass but it can also be used to create very dramatic images :)
 
Just had a look and I saw a 5D sell for R12900 so that leaves R2100 for lenses, I'm not 100% sure what the 35 F2 costs but the 5D with 50 F1.8 is a good start I reckon?

5D has fantastic low light high iso performancce. :)
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Perhaps we should hold out for a while. We do have a camera that we use at present. Its just not quite doing the job. Perhaps in a couple of months the rand would have strengthened and the budget for the camera would be higher.
 
Angellus said:
Depth of field can become an issue with the fast glass but it can also be used to create very dramatic images :)
Click to expand...

DoF is an issue when you open the aperture all the way. Fast glass allows you to do this, it doesn't mean every shot is affected. What is that saying? F8 and be there. And that other little rule of thumb - the best optical performance that you'll get from a lense is 2 stops off fully open.
 
Albereth said:
DoF is an issue when you open the aperture all the way. Fast glass allows you to do this, it doesn't mean every shot is affected. What is that saying? F8 and be there. And that other little rule of thumb - the best optical performance that you'll get from a lense is 2 stops off fully open.
Click to expand...

True... but I don't buy F1.2 lenses to shoot at F8 ;)
 
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