Sony lense question

[rphotos]

I have a Sony a330 and would like to shoot in low light possibly with candles. What lense would you recommend so that I do not have to use a flash?
I am not real familiar with lenses and just do not want to waste my money on something that won't work for what I want to do.

 

[ukcatfan]

It sounds like you would have a stationary subject. If so, you need a tripod more than another lens.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

There are several ways to shoot in lowlight depending on the subject matter, distance from subject, etc. If the subject is stationary, then as ukcatfan suggests, a tripod is the best way to go along with some type of remote actuation (either remote control or self-timer). If handheld and/or moving subject, then faster glass is the way to go. Your camera has a high ISO of 3200, but I don't know if that is usable since I don't shoot Sony. If you are going to be close to the subject matter then I would recommend Sigma 30 f1.4, but if you are going to be further away, then maybe a 50mm f1.8 or f1.4. Sony makes both, but I'm not really familar with the lens line, so I'm hesitant to offer a recommendation. I do own the Sigma 30 for my Pentax and it is an excellent low light lens.

 

[thomas998]

Would start with a 50mm 1.7 lens they are very cheap and easy to come by... look for a Minolta AF 50mm 1.7... they are completely compatible with the Sony Alphas and were a standard lens back when Minolta was making auto focus film cameras.. you can pick one up off ebay for around $60-70... Using the A330 I wouldn't go beyond ISO 800... you start getting noise at 1600 and lose so much detail by the time you get to 3200 it isn't really worth it. Next is a tripod what will be crucial if you are doing candle light shots... if you don't have a tripod you can make due by setting the camera on a very sturdy solid surface and then take the shot with the timer so you don't jar the camera when you press the button... I would probably recommend the timer even if you are using a tripod because unless it is very well positioned and heavy you might jiggle the camera when you press the shutter release.

Set your camera on manual, set the lens to 1.7 and then just start adjusting the shutter speed until you get what your looking for.. I have no idea just how dim of a setting you are looking at but it sounds like it could easily get into more than a half second...

 

[zackiedawg]

Thomas' advice is sound - pick up a used Minolta 50mm F1.7 - supercheap, reliable, solid, and sharp - plus fast enough to use in low light situations. Places such as KEH sell them with guarantees and ratings - they might be worth a look.

As for ISO - use what works for you - everyone's sensitivity to noise is different - you'll hear some folks won't go over ISO400, some find ISO800 the limit, others comfortably shoot at 3200. It's all dependent on how much noise you mind or don't mind, and whether you use any tools to remove it a bit. ISO1600 might work fine in an 8x10 print, but cropping and viewing at 100% viewable size on your computer screen could look like a mess. So it really needs to be up to you to decide where the limit is. I had an A300, the forerunner to your camera, and was happy shooting to ISO1600 as long as I got the exposure right. I'd only use ISO3200 in emergencies.

Candlelight is very low - so you're still probably going to need fairly slow shutters, even with high ISO and with a wide-open aperture - if your subject is a person/portrait, advise them to sit nice and still until you tell them otherwise, and you might want to learn a good, steady grip, brace your elbows, and hold very carefully still while shooting handheld - the stabilization can allow you to handhold a shot up to 1/2 second or so if you're nice and steady, otherwise you may want to go with a tripod and turn the stabilization off. Either way, make sure you're shooting a static subject, or tell them to sit nice and still and not fidget around. If all else fails, light a few more candles and get a little more light on the scene!