What are you guys doing to achieve good shots in low light? When I use a tripod, results are good, but I would like to get similar results "hand held." The problem I have is too much camera shake!

 

what camera are you running?

usually fast lens 1.8f 50mm or higher iso atleast a shutter speed around the length of a lens.

 

a steady hand...some people have it, some don't. Shooting hand held is just a skill that not everyone is adept with.

Fast lenses. apertures in the range of 1.2-2.8

Lenses with image stabilization

Shooting with your shutter around 1/30, 1/40, 1/60 but this again pertains to the ability with hand held.

 

I found out if you have a tiny camera like an xti you can get the joby gorilla pod slr zoom
but it can't fit the d300 lol its a bit heavy for it.

 

I'm using a 40d. I think I should bump the ISO perhaps and compare results, I haven't done too many test shots like this. I think my hands just naturally shake. LOL. Yesterday for example I was taking some low light shots in my house using a 24-70mm f/2.8 L and still had difficulties with blurry shots. Same shots with tripod, came out good.

Just to clarify guys, not looking for advice on different gear with IS, lens type, etc. This thread was meant for techniques, rather then equipment. thanks!

 

Yep, it's really the ability of holding I think.....

 

Synth, try sticking to the 1/focal length rule for the shutter speed. Obviously, you may have to compensate with ISO and aperture.

I don't like to use anything over ISO 800 on my 40D, as I think it just get way out of the range of usable.

Try bracing yourself or the camera against a wall or piece of furniture. Also, try dropping to one knee and resting your support elbow on your knee.

Finally, ?flash?

 

^ no flash... should have mentioned that, trying not to use flash on these type of shots. Especially the 40d's body flash.

 

Synth, you need a Canon 5D MK2 with a 85mm f/1.2L lens combo. get that, and you're all good! thanks

serious though one of the tricks I do in situation like this is fire off 3-4 burst shots, trying to hold the cam as steady as possible - chances are one will come out decent.

 

if you are not using the flash indoors you had better be at 1.8 or wider (unless you have a lot of environment light to work with). and, i would suggest ISO around 640-800.

 

Werd. All this time I'm thinking the lighting is adequate, but it's probably not. Case in point, much better shots with my 1.8 vs. my 2.8 (forget about the 3.5). And, no flash.

 

yeah 2.8 is not enough for shooting indoors without a flash unless you have lots of available light.. also, if you are using 1.8 or faster, you should try using the built-in flash as a fill-flash - set the power low - just to provide enough light so you don't have dark faces and shadows. or, have people stand near a bright light. and, turn on as many lights as possible. those things will help. but at 1.8 with iso 640-800, you should be able to shoot quite fast, I would guess around 1/80-1/100 or so. but I'd have to try it to be sure.

another thing, you obviously can't take 3-4 shots every time you shoot. just do that for the shots that you know you have to nail - such as group shots. or, for shots where, if it's not tack sharp, it's gonna suck. such as, very detailed subjects with lettering on them, things like that. I often do this for shots of the bar's beverage collection, for instance.

one more thing, you *could* set the ISO higher and shoot indoors at 2.8 but you will obviously have more noise. hence my earlier suggestion to get a 5DMK2

 

I take 2 shots for group shots that I have to nail. Not 3-4. lol I just thought about it some more.

 

thnx for the tips!

 

Oh sorry i was thinking just lens and gear wise.

I always try mounting against a wall, or try keep the shutter above a certain number usually.

Really if possible in low light for theaters and shows i carry a mono pod if im sitting in the audience.
Other than that shutter rule, people say exhale is it when pressing the shutter.
could try this

<embed src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/1041948/1_image_stabilizer_for_any_camera_lose_the_tripod. swf" width="400" height="345" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br/><font size="1">
<a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1041948/1_image_stabilizer_for_any_camera_lose_the_tripod/">$1 Image Stabilizer For Any Camera - Lose The Tripod - video powered by Metacafe</a></font>

 

^ "since I'm an eagle scout, I used a lashing (knot) since it looks nice."

 

synth,

what helped me steady a shot over the years was to exhale as i depress the shutter.

for example, when i prefocus/focus, i inhale, then as im ready to depress the shutter button fully, i time it so that i exhale during the process. i guess one way to describe it is to relax as you fire. the more tense you are, the more likely that you shake.

 

Ah an eagle scout i give your major props one my good friends is one helped him out with his eagle project.

 

Also don't forget that when you push the shutter button, you don't push it like you would be pressing a button. Instead you sort of squeeze the camera. That way you sort of push both sides of the camera, and helps keep the camera from 'bobbing'

Get a feel of what shutter speed range you need to stay in at various focal lengths to have acceptable blur, and then do whatever you need to do to stay in that range. If that means cranking ISO up to 1600/3200, so be it. I'll take noise over
blur any day of the week.

- Frank