LENS HELP for Villains Stage Show!

[mom2rtk]

This will be our first trip to MNSSHP and I want to get some great shots of the villains stage show. From what I've seen, it appears to be a fairly dark show, and their costumes are dark too. (Go figure....)

Thanks to suggestions here I now own the 50mm f1.8 Canon lens to use for the parade. I don't know if that will get me close enough for the show though.

Because my son is now on the school soccer team, I think I'm going to invest in the Tamron VC 18 to 270, so I should have that by then too. With the VC, will I be able to get clear shots of the stage show?

I'm also considering renting one lens to take along. I was considering the Canon 10-22 just for some fun wide angle shots, but could consider somthing else if needed.

Many thanks to all for their advice!

[ukcatfan]

The Tamron is F/3.5-6.3, so it is not going to do well in low light. I am not familiar with the show, but I suspect it is going to be pretty low light being part of MNSSHP.

[mom2rtk]

The Tamron is F/3.5-6.3, so it is not going to do well in low light. I am not familiar with the show, but I suspect it is going to be pretty low light being part of MNSSHP.

It might just be that the show will be too dark to photograph well at all, but not having seen it yet myself, I'm not sure.

I didn't think the Tamron's aperture would be a good match, but I wondered if the image stabilization might compensate some? I could go with the 50mm f1.8, but don't know if that will get me close enough. Maybe I should use that at the highest resolution and crop down from there???

[ukcatfan]

IS will not help on a show like that unless you can time it so that you get the shot when the performers are not moving. With the slow shutter speed you get subject motion blur. It is possible to time it right, but not easy and your opportunities are limited. When accommodating for their motion, you need a fast enough shutter speed that IS does not even come into play.

[mom2rtk]

So maybe I need to put the camera on the tripod and just keep trying to follow the characters???

Or should I give up and just watch the show..... (now THAT's crazy talk!!)

[MICKEY88]

a decent 80-200 2.8 lens combined with high iso, would be your best bet

[Steve's Girl]

The VC will help if you can catch the actors holding a pose for a second or so and can use a slow shutter speed. It will not help if you are trying to use a fast shutter speed to capture the action. If you are very selective with your shots, you should be able to get a few good ones with that lens. Mickey88 is right, a 2.8 lens is the best way to go, but not sure it is worth renting or buying just for that one show. If you are up close, the 50mm will allow you to get some nice shots, but they will not be close-ups of individual characters.

[mom2rtk]

Well, I'm wishing now that I had plotted for a day at DHS with the Fantasmic showing. It might have been worth renting the right lens for the stage show if I was also going to use it for Fantasmic.....

[ukcatfan]

So maybe I need to put the camera on the tripod and just keep trying to follow the characters???

Or should I give up and just watch the show..... (now THAT's crazy talk!!)

If you are not going to rent or buy a lens like Mickey88 mentioned, then I suggest just using the 50mm. I really do not think you are going to have any luck with the super zoom lens. Those kinds of lenses are made for convenience and simply cannot handle difficult lighting situations.

[MICKEY88]

Because my son is now on the school soccer team, I think I'm going to invest in the Tamron VC 18 to 270, !

this might actually be more zoom than you need for soccer, also will there be any night games... the 80-200 2.8 lens might be a better option

[mom2rtk]

this might actually be more zoom than you need for soccer, also will there be any night games... the 80-200 2.8 lens might be a better option

No, just daytime games. And as much as I love the idea of having the 80/200 2.8 lens, that's not in the cards. The Tamron was a stretch...

After this discussion, I am now wondering whether the VC will bring anything to the table my 18-250 non 3.5/6.3 (NON VC) did not...

I do have to say, I have loved the convenience of having the wide range zoom.... With 3 kids and tons of stuff to carry already, I am less likely to get my shot at ALL if I have to change lenses.