help! need a -quick- lens decision!!

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by playbak

I would limit what I was going to carry as my experience with Mardi Gras has been really, really tight and unruly crowds. You'd think a moonpie was a 2 carat diamond ring the way people fight over them.

Oh yeah.....having lived in New Orleans, I well remember people almost coming to blows or being pushed under a float over a stupid pair of beads! And, if it was a painted coconut, watch out!

I imagine Dallas's version will be considerably tamer....still, walking around with light gear is a good suggestion.

[blessings]

hmm, if i were you... i'd like to rent the d90. then all your lenses can be used with good shutter speed in higher iso.
if all d90 rent out, i'll get a 17-55 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8. but just not sure that 2.8 can raise up the shutter speed how much...
high iso in d80 is really... lousy to me...

and one more thing, the 2.8 is not the sharpest in 17-55 (i owned that before), the peak is at 5.6. for 70-200, i've no idea.

[doctahjones]

Originally Posted by playbak

There will be a lot of light at street level from the floats, fireworks and surrounding buildings. I would limit what I was going to carry as my experience with Mardi Gras has been really, really tight and unruly crowds. You'd think a moonpie was a 2 carat diamond ring the way people fight over them. That's New Orlean or Mobile, if you mean Dallas, I don't think it will be an issue.

You will be walking around a lot. I'm not sure you'll want to be lugging a lot of weight with you. I have a D80 and a nifty 50. Definitely the fastest lens you own and if something happens to it, it won't be the end of the world. You just have to "foot zoom". Between the onboard flash and a 50 1.8, you should be able to get just about any shot you want. Certainly with the SB600. Keep it light so you can enjoy yourself.

yeah i was meaning the one in dallas.

i did rent the 28-70mm f/2.8. i have a small backpack that holds everything i need, and is very light when i don't have my camera in it, so i think i'm good on what i'm going to carry.

i think i'll actually be able to use my 55-200 at the start of the parade (sunset is at 6:18 according to twc) at 6:30, but i'll probably have to switch to the 2.8 around 7ish.

and yeah i'm hoping that with my sb600 off camera and the onboard that i can use the 2.8. now the only thing i have to luck out with, is getting a spot on that corner where they turn onto lamar. i'm sure i'm not the only one with this idea, so we're going to get there around 3:30. i figure 3 hours is enough to get a good spot?

doctahjones added 3 Minutes and 42 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by blessings

hmm, if i were you... i'd like to rent the d90. then all your lenses can be used with good shutter speed in higher iso.
if all d90 rent out, i'll get a 17-55 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8. but just not sure that 2.8 can raise up the shutter speed how much...
high iso in d80 is really... lousy to me...

and one more thing, the 2.8 is not the sharpest in 17-55 (i owned that before), the peak is at 5.6. for 70-200, i've no idea.

honestly if i was going to go 'all out' and rent a body too, i'd rent a d300. but i'm not -that- hardcore about this.

i like to try to push the limits of the camera i have.

plus if i got another body, i'd have to learn all it's settings and junk, which i don't think i could effectively do in a short time.

doctahjones added 6 Minutes and 42 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by toverman

The 28-70 f/2.8 sounds like a pretty good plan, unless a 24-70 is available.

actually, the one i rented was the 28-70 f/2.8. the 24-85 is a f/3.5-4.5, too slow for what i'm going to be doing.