help! need a -quick- lens decision!!

[doctahjones]

so i have my d80 so i can't do iso above 800 without it being too grainy for my taste...

and i'm planning on going to the mardi gras parade and taking some pictures.

the parade doesn't start until 6:30 and the floats are supposed to be lit up.

i was planning on taking my 50mm f/1.8, but i'm also going to have my 55-200 f/3.5-5.6 vr. i'm thinking that my zoom lens is going to be too slow, so i was thinking about renting the 70-200 monstronsity.

however, i don't exactly feel comfortable with that big of a lens in that kind of setting, so i was more thinking maybe the 28-70 f/2.8.

the bigger thing that i have a question about though is,

is will the 2.8 give me -that- much more than my zoom when it's dark? would it -really- be worth it to rent? remember i can't really do an iso boost because it will be way too noisy. so i'm thinking that while i might get a few stop boost with the 2.8, it's still going to be too dark and i should just stick with my fixed 50mm 1.8.



need to know quick so i can call/go get one of the 2.8's

[BrandonH]

Good question...and I am looking forward to some suggestions. I too am thinking about going to the parade this weekend, but have never shot in that type of setting either. Sorry I'm no help.

-Brandon

[doctahjones]

forgot they have that 85mm f/1.4....but then i'm still fixed, and i'm thinking the .4 difference isn't going to get me -that- much more at this point....

i'm really just wanting a zoom lens as i'm not sure -exactly- where i'm going to be, but we're aiming to get there about 3pm, so i would imagine we would be able to get right up on the baracades (which is why i think i'd be ok with my 50).

[d2creative]

I would want a wide angle lens.

But to answer your question, don't rent the 70-200vr unless you have the funds to purchase one. Cause you will after you get a taste. It's that good of a lens. And yes it will help compared to your 3.5-5.6. If you are going to bother using that lens vs a 55mm, that means you are going to be using it for it's reach which puts you at the 5.6 end of the spectrum.

[kenw]

no clue as to which but I also think a wide (20mm -ish) is going to give you the best results.

[Tom]

Rent a 135 F2.

[L Stegall]

Yes, I'd probably lean toward a wide angle as well, for shots of the crowd and passing floats over a zoom, although that brings me to my real question - where is there a Mardi Gras parade in the DFW area?

[doctahjones]

Originally Posted by d2creative

I would want a wide angle lens.

But to answer your question, don't rent the 70-200vr unless you have the funds to purchase one. Cause you will after you get a taste. It's that good of a lens. And yes it will help compared to your 3.5-5.6. If you are going to bother using that lens vs a 55mm, that means you are going to be using it for it's reach which puts you at the 5.6 end of the spectrum.

oh i'm already drooling over the 70-200 2.8. i've rented it a few times, but it's always been for daylight/sunset/studio setups. and i figure i can always (at least so far) rent it when i need it, and save my money :P

and i don't think i'd actually be using the vr setting, since there would be movement of the subjects involved.

as for being wide...that's why i was more thinking of getting the 28-70 f/2.8. if we are on the railing, then i think that would get me enough zoom to get tight on the floats and such.

doctahjones added 1 Minutes and 43 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by L Stegall

Yes, I'd probably lean toward a wide angle as well, for shots of the crowd and passing floats over a zoom, although that brings me to my real question - where is there a Mardi Gras parade in the DFW area?

http://www.quickdfw.com/mystiqal/

doctahjones added 6 Minutes and 23 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

ok, i'm headed out. i'm gonna get that 28-70mm 2.8.

thanks for all the comments, it really did help!

[toverman]

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

[sanmay]

I have shot with both lenses. Get the 70-200, for the kind of shots that you will be doing it will perfect, it will give you the zoom you need to get nice detail shots. The 2.8 will alow you to up your exposure enough to where shooting at ISO800 will be high enough.

[Jeff_Green]

28-70 2.8 is what you should go with. If you are at mardi gras you do not want the 70-200 as I believe that would put you too close to your subjects and not allow you to capture the scene very well.

I'd stick with the 28-70 and the nifty fifty. I think you will find that those will work best for you, but then again I'm not a pro (but I did stay at a holiday inn express).

[David Whatley]

I would try a really big ol flash unit, if you can get on the rail.

[VincentHerrera]

I'm not sure I understand the lens dilemma, but wouldn't you be better off renting a different camera body instead?

[doctahjones]

Originally Posted by Jeff_Green

28-70 2.8 is what you should go with. If you are at mardi gras you do not want the 70-200 as I believe that would put you too close to your subjects and not allow you to capture the scene very well.

I'd stick with the 28-70 and the nifty fifty. I think you will find that those will work best for you, but then again I'm not a pro (but I did stay at a holiday inn express).

well that's the delmina....if i am able to be at the railing, then the 28-70 should be perfect....

but if i'm back a bit, then the 70-200 would be the one i'd want... we'll see where i end up!

doctahjones added 0 Minutes and 41 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by David Whatley

I would try a really big ol flash unit, if you can get on the rail.

yeah, i'll have my sb600 with me. i might even try that off camera (have my gf hold it) AND have my on camera fire as well.

doctahjones added 1 Minutes and 42 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by VincentHerrera

I'm not sure I understand the lens dilemma, but wouldn't you be better off renting a different camera body instead?

eh, yeah...but it's not like i'm doing this for a job...they're really just for me, and i don't need to go -that- far :)

oh, and i also rented a monopod, so hopefully that will help with camera shake.

[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.