Lens for lowlight/rides? (Canon)

[EnnEss]

Hello,

I want a lens that will do ride photos, probably a prime lens to keep the price down (i'll crop later). Im new to this kind of photography though and I don't know how fast of a lens I need. I figured someone here would have some experience with it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On a similar note if someone does have experience with this, I'm curious if a lens that does low light ride photos could do fireworks as well.

I found the photography forum, sorry. I dont know how to delete the thread here though. I'd still appreciate help here, but I realize its in the wrong forums. Sorry mods .

 

[happycamper83]

The 50mm f1.8 is a really great lens at a budget price. I haven't tried it yet for rides or fireworks, so no first hand experience.. but you'd be challenged to find a faster lens than that without breaking the bank.

 

[EnnEss]

That is what I was looking at. I was curious if it'd get it done for rides though or if I need to save for the 1.4.

 

[aribelle]

As I know nothing about camera lenses I can't help you with your question, but I'll just pipe in with a friendly warning......picture taking ON the rides is not allowed. Though plenty of people do it.... be prepared for the possible anger of your fellow riders. I've seen some pretty ugly altercations because of people taking photos on PoTC and HM and one that required a CM to break up after IASW. It definitely spoils the mood for the rest of us when lighbulbs are going off, but I figure I'll just ride again and hope Mr Flashbulb isn't with me that time.

If you're talking about taking photos of other people on rides, like Splash Mountain's plunge, the whirl of the tea cups, etc.....I was able to get decent unblurred photos of those with my Luminex TZ5, lol.

 

[Robo]

...I'll just pipe in with a friendly warning......picture taking ON the rides is not allowed.

That is simply not true.

There are very few attractions that do not allow the taking of photos and video.
But MOST attractions do not allow FLASH photos and video LIGHTS.

If your camera has a video image screen, make sure that it is disabled in
attractions where it can distract other guests with its light.

 

[aribelle]

That is simply not true.

There are very few attractions that do not allow the taking of photos and video.
But MOST attractions do not allow FLASH photos and video LIGHTS.

If your camera has a video image screen, make sure that it is disabled in
attractions where it can distract other guests with its light.

Ok, you're being a bit picky about my wording.....I said that the altercations I'd seen were because of flashbulbs (ok, go ahead and tear apart my use of BULBS, it's just my age showing, lol) so I think it was pretty clear that I meant FLASH and LIGHTS. You said "MOST" attractions.....which ones will allow FLASH and LIGHTS?

So yeah, if the picture taking doesn't involve flash or light, in other words all that intrudes on the mood of the ride is possibly the click or whir of the camera, no one should get upset.

Kinda feel like I just took a flash picture on PoTC, lol.

 

[DizneyNutz]

As I know nothing about camera lenses I can't help you with your question, but I'll just pipe in with a friendly warning......picture taking ON the rides is not allowed.

OP was not being picky about your wording. You incorrectly advised that photography was not allowed. By your own admission you stated that you know nothing about lenses, but decided to pipe in. Well the original poster was never intending on using flash photography, which is why he stated he didn't know how FAST of a lens he needed to shoot in low light rides. He was essentially asking what f/stop lens do I need to photograph the low light rides without using flash. JMHO I would recommend the 1.4 for any hope of a quality picture. As for the fireworks you will be using f/8 or f/11 (most commonly preferred) so you probably already have lenses perfect for that.

 

[disneyin2008]

deleted

 

[DizneyNutz]

Hello,

I want a lens that will do ride photos, probably a prime lens to keep the price down (i'll crop later). Im new to this kind of photography though and I don't know how fast of a lens I need. I figured someone here would have some experience with it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On a similar note if someone does have experience with this, I'm curious if a lens that does low light ride photos could do fireworks as well.

I found the photography forum, sorry. I dont know how to delete the thread here though. I'd still appreciate help here, but I realize its in the wrong forums. Sorry mods .

I have the Nifty Fifty and I am not pleased with the results I get in rides like the HM or the FotLk show. You may get an acceptable shot once out of a bunch of shots. I don't have the f/1.4 but if I did, it would be the 24mm (very expensive) lens. Since you mentioned keeping the price down I didn't mention it before. I just got to feeling like I did not give you enough info about why (from experiences) I am saying that. In reference to the fireworks question. F/11 is generally preferred, but I have gotten some acceptable results using f/8 and ISO 100.

 

[EnnEss]

Thanks dizneynut, i found a great thread about fireworks in the photog section i didnt know existed until yesterday, and i have two lenses applicable for it. As you guessed, im new to photography as a hobby. Alright, I appreciate the advice about the 1.4. Its a sounder decision anyways I suppose, why buy the 1.8 only to find its not good enough right? 1.4 can do 1.8 if I want it to after all, but not the other way around. Its probably better to just spend a bit extra and be happier in more situations than spend 100 bucks and be miffed. I think I saw a 1.4 for 350ish or something that was a fairly wide angle, it may have been the 24mm, Ill look for it.

Ive seen some amazing pictures of the dark rides with closer subjects, like IASMW and other slow moving ones. Ive seen some ok pictures of HM and some amazing ones of various shows. The HM ones were decent, but the distance from the camera and the extremely low light and odd effects seem to make it really hard, so I won't hold my breath given my inexperience and consumer gear. The show pictures I saw were all taken with amazing lenses I just don't have access to and obviously by very skilled shooters, so for now that's not for me, but maybe in the future I can aspire to it. Thanks again for the advice, its really hard to guess at these things as an extreme novice. Searching camera sites is great and I've learned a lot but again its hard for me to apply their examples to my needs because Im too ignorant.

Aribelle, I actually forsaw people saying what you did when I made the thread but I presumed that if they knew nothing at all about photography they wouldn't chime in and if they did they'd recognize the few key words indicating I wasn't using lighting. Anyways, I feel your pain though about the flashes on rides and I should have mentioned it was light free. I find it actually far worse at DL than WDW for some reason, you can literally not get on PoTC without 2 or more people per with flashes going off non stop it seems. I rode it three times last trip and experienced this every time.

 

[DizneyNutz]

Don't hesitate to ask. I am a novice of photography as well, but if I can help you wade through some of the same problems I already have, then I'm glad to help. I was where you are now two years ago. I went ahead and bought the 50mm f/1.8. I have barely used it with the exception of a couple of times trying it out. The IASWAA ride is not what I consider a dark environment compared to HM and PoTC. If interested in my thoughts on the matter PM me and I will be glad too share with you my insight and why I do not own the f/1.4. Other than that I will stop cluttering up this post.

 

[suebedo]

I have a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 lens that I LURVE! It is so sharp you can slice butter with it!. I think a 1.8 lens would be fine for the dark rides. That being said, I think you may need a wider angle though. The 50mm may be pretty tight on some rides.

Tamron make a decent lens (at least for Nikon) 28-75mm f 2.8 I think it might be a good choice. Just bump up your ISO and shoot wide open. Also being a zoom, you can use it as a run around lens in the park without having to zoom with your feet. It is a little more versatile. The Nikon version is around $350 or so on B&H.

As for me, I am taking my new handy dandy little brand new point and shoot this year for our Feb trip. I want to have fun and not be bogged down with my big DSLR. hopefully I won;t feel the need to document every single moment.

 

[bradk]

i suspect my canon 28mm is slower than 1.8 (not positive), but I do have to agree that 50mm didn't seem like a good choice to me when I was testing it out at the store. judging by how far away i'd have to get to get the average character fully in frame in portrait mode, the 50 just didn't cut it. i'm not even all that thrilled with the focal length of the 28 to be honest, but i never would have made it with a 50.

there are some attractions that the fastest lens in the world isn't going do much for and there are some that the 'slowest' lens will do quite well in. peter pan and small world are total opposites in this respect for example. i don't suspect i'll ever get a decent shot in peter pan.

 

[mountdew1]

I have the Canon 50mm/1.8. It is a good place to get a cheap lens. However, it is CHEAP. Switching from Auto to Manual focus doesn't always work, sometimes I need to pop off the lens/put back on for Auto to work again. And even when trying to use the Auto focus in low light situations, the focus isn't very fast. Usually took several attempts to auto focus on the dark rides so I would usually end up having to manual focus to get the shot. Fairly happy with the image quality, but I will definitely be saving up for a L level lens next time.

 

[CanadianGuy]

This is really a thread applicable to the Photography board more so than here and such I'll be moving it there.

Knox

 

[CanadianGuy]

Ok.. I have a Canon .. and your choices if you are going to stay with branded Canon products are ..

There's a 50 / 1.8 runs around 90$-100$ or there's a 50 / 1.4 which runs for about 375$

You're paying almost 300$ more for that .4 ... up to you to decide if it's worth it.

Knox

 

[DVC Jen]

Ok.. I have a Canon .. and your choices if you are going to stay with branded Canon products are ..

There's a 50 / 1.8 runs around 90$-100$ or there's a 50 / 1.4 which runs for about 375$

You're paying almost 300$ more for that .4 ... up to you to decide if it's worth it.

Knox

If it is an L lens - well worth it - but the 50mm f/1.4 is not an L lens. I would save the $ and get the f/1.8 version. But that is just me and someone else would more than likely say something totally different.

I have the f/1.8 and rarely use it. The only times I use it is at Disney for low light situations. Therefore it just isn't worth the extra money for it.

 

[EnnEss]

If it is an L lens - well worth it - but the 50mm f/1.4 is not an L lens. I would save the $ and get the f/1.8 version. But that is just me and someone else would more than likely say something totally different.

I have the f/1.8 and rarely use it. The only times I use it is at Disney for low light situations. Therefore it just isn't worth the extra money for it.

Isnt the difference between the 1.4 and 1.8 literally double the amount of light? I only want this lens for low light situations and if the 1.8 cuts it in these situations i'll be happy with it. Whichever lens I get i plan to only equip it rarely but am willing to buy a lens for that purpose.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I have the 50mm f/1.8 and have used it on the dark rides. For rides such as POTC and HM, even at 1600, I was not able to get good shots unless the ride was stopped totally - there is simply not enough light to get a decent shot with the 1.8 lens. My hubby had better luck with his Sony and kit lens at 3200.

I do love the lens though and use it for other low light situations were there is a bit more light available.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Isnt the difference between the 1.4 and 1.8 literally double the amount of light? I only want this lens for low light situations and if the 1.8 cuts it in these situations i'll be happy with it. Whichever lens I get i plan to only equip it rarely but am willing to buy a lens for that purpose.

The difference between f/1.8 and f/1.4 is 2/3 of a stop. The standard full stops are ...f/1, f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22... A full stop is double the light. So an f/2 lens passes half the light of an f/1.4 lens and an f/1.2 lens passes double the light of an f/1.8 lens.

In terms of shutter speed, an f/1.8 lens will require a shutter speed about 60% longer than an f/1.4 lens. For example, shooting at 1/1000 on an f/1.4 lens is the same as 1/640 on an f/1.8 lens. Shooting at 1/60 on an f/1.4 lens is the same as 1/40 on an f/1.8 lens.

You'll also get less DOF with the f/1.4 lens (which can be good or bad). Shooting something 20 feet away at f/1.4 results in a DOF range of around 2.6 feet. At f/1.8, it is about 3.3 feet.

Canon's current 50mm lineup includes the f/1.8, the f/1.4, and the f/1.2. They also offered, until it was recently discontinued, an f/1.0 50mm lens.