I need a camera that does well in the dark!

[Dakota_Lynn]

Hi! I love to take pictures at concerts (when the artist allows it). I've been using a film camera for years but it's about ready to die so I need a new camera. I have several digital cameras but nothing that great; all point and shoot Sony's in the $200 to $300 range. I have found that the digital cameras have not done very well in the low concert light but then they only have an ISO of 400. I usually use 800 speed film in the dark concert halls.

Can anybody suggest a good replacement camera (under $1000) that will take really good night pictures? I don't care if it is film or digital. Point and shoot or SLR; either is fine. Whatever works best! I want to buy a camera that will work for me for a long time as my last one did!

Thanks for any advice y'all can give me! It's much appreciated!

 

[Laura]

The Canon Rebel XTi seems to do well in low light, and it's less than $1000 with the kit lens.

http://dcresource.com/reviews/canon/digital_rebel_xti-review/index.shtml

Scroll towards the bottom to see how it looks at higher ISOs.

 

[Groucho]

Any DSLR should do very well - with the right lens. Most all have extremely good high ISO performance. (Supposedly the Sony Alpha is slightly iffy at high ISO but still much, much better than any PnS.) You can currently get a Pentax K100D with kit lens for $520 after rebate, which also has image stabilization in the body, and the Pentax 50mm 1.4 lens (the finest 50mm made) for about $175 after rebate - together, you'll be able to take extremely sharp photos in low light situations. This leaves plenty of leftover money to put towards more lenses, accessories, etc. The Pentax also has a nice combination of other features besides image stabilization, such as spot metering, depth of field preview, up to 3200ISO, 2.5" LCD, and it uses standard AA batteries. The only real downside is continuous shooting - it tops out at 5 JPG or 3 RAW in a row.

The Pentax K10D came out a couple days ago and has a stellar lineup of features untouchable in its range (including unlimited continuous shooting), but is a bit more expensive - $900 for just the body or $1,000 for the kit. No doubt the prices will drop below retail before long, though. It's also 10mp, but megapixels aren't really that important unless you're planning on printing huge poster-size prints (and even then, there's a question about how much extra detail the higher-mp sensors actually pick up. Some, but mp should be not one of the top concerns.)

Of course, if you have a film SLR and a few lenses, you may want to stick with that one, to re-use your existing lenses.

 

[handicap18]

Any of the dSLR's would work well (Canon XTi, Nikon D50/D80, Pentax K100D to name a few). They all have high ISO capability upwards of ISO 1600 and even 3200 (though 3200 is not recommended if you plan on enlarging the pics past 4x6" due to noise issues). Some a little better than others at ISO 1600.

That being said, you have to have the right lens to accompany said dSLR. Generally, the kit lens or any of the "basic/standard" zoom's might not be adaquate (depending on the lighting available at the venue). For the purpose you posted about, your best bet is going to be a 50mm f/1.8 (very inexpensive, at least on the Nikon and Canon side, don't know about Pentax), 85mm f/1.8 (a bit more pricy at about $350 or so), 24 or 28mm f/1.8 (Sigma makes one of each that is available to all the camera brands). Other zooms to consider are the f/2.8 zooms (ie: 17-55, 28-80, 70-200). These zoom lens ranges are generally more expensive than prime lenses.

I mention the small f numbers because these give you the largest lens opening to help allow more light in. Since you'll be working in an environment that does not have a lot of available light you'll definately want to keep the lenses I mentioned in mind for your purpose. In the end only you can decide which camera and lens combination is the one for you.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Hi! I just wanted to thank you all for your advice. I read all your posts and reviewed all the cameras you mentioned and I decided on the Canon Rebel XTi. I just ordered it today and it should be here by Friday and I can't wait! I already bought a book on the camera so I can learn how to use the thing. I really do apprecaite your help because I had no idea where to begin. I spent a lot of time searching reviews of the models you guys listed and it appears that all the models you mentioned are wonderful cameras. So thank you very much! I'm very, very excited about having this wonderful new toy!

 

[ukcatfan]

Did you get a fast lens to go with it? Many people like the 50mm prime lenses for low light situations. It all depends on if that is enough focal length for your purposes.

Kevin

 

[Cheeky in TN]

I recently go a Sigma 28-70 2.8f lens that has worked suprisingly well and is affordable. I would definetly reccomend it if you are looking for a good fast lens.

 

[DVC Jen]

That being said, you have to have the right lens to accompany said dSLR. Generally, the kit lens or any of the "basic/standard" zoom's might not be adaquate (depending on the lighting available at the venue). For the purpose you posted about, your best bet is going to be a 50mm f/1.8 (very inexpensive, at least on the Nikon and Canon side, don't know about Pentax), 85mm f/1.8 (a bit more pricy at about $350 or so), 24 or 28mm f/1.8 (Sigma makes one of each that is available to all the camera brands). Other zooms to consider are the f/2.8 zooms (ie: 17-55, 28-80, 70-200). These zoom lens ranges are generally more expensive than prime lenses.

I used my Canon XTi with the 50mm f/1.8 last night to take some pictures of my husband outside in the dark. I had to use the manual settings - the auto settings just didn't cut it that well. Once I used the manual settings it took GREAT pics!