Help with setup - PTA event

[scott1120]

Hey guys/gals,
I am shooting a PTA event tomorrow and I need some advice on settings.
Location: school cafeteria
Camera: Nikon D50 (I was only planning on taking 18-55)

Since the only lighting will be overhead (the kind in a school cafeteria) would 800 iso be enough? Should I change WB?
Let me know if you need more info, as I plan on submitting this event to the local newspaper.

[engstrom]

I think it's pretty unlikely that ISO 800 will be enough. Now if you can get your hands on a 50mm f1.8 (or f1.4 but the f1.8 is only $100) lens then yeah, that should work.

[LadyShutterBug]

is there not a WB setting on your camera for flourescent lighting?

you can probably leave it on auto, but flourescent would be helpful. take a couple of test shots and look at them and see what you think. i'm sure the school would let you in the cafeteria.

and yeah, i'd pick up that 1.8 lens if you can (most camera stores like HCE or wolf will have them in stock). then you can have sharper images and shallower depth of field for the event... which is good.

[Davidtxs]

well engstrom is right on that lens probably will not cut it, get a 50 1.8 at least OR get a flash like the sb600 or 800. Camera Stop in plano rents some equipment not sure about the flash though

[scott1120]

I set my ISO at 800 aperature priority mode and after a few shots I changed WB to flourscent from auto. The exposure seems fine to my eye, but most have camera shake. I have to learn to steady the camera more, the other camera has IS built-in.

Would the 50 help with any of these problems?

[krodgers]

your shutter speed was probely low on ap. priority, so yes a bigger aperature (i.e. 50mm F1.8) would allow for faster shutter speed and thus reducing camera shake

[Paulo]

Originally Posted by scott1120

I set my ISO at 800 aperature priority mode and after a few shots I changed WB to flourscent from auto. The exposure seems fine to my eye, but most have camera shake. I have to learn to steady the camera more, the other camera has IS built-in.

Would the 50 help with any of these problems?

Scott, what is the maximum aperture shown on your 18-55mm and 70-300mm?

In low-light situations, being able to take full advantage of the ISO speed capabilities on your camera and the available maximum aperture of the lens your using go hand and hand. Especially if you're wanting to avoid using flash or don't have one available. If the maximum aperture on either of your lens is, say, F3.5 or higher, you will notice a huge difference when you use a 50mm F1.8. At ISO 800, on aperture priority, the shutter speed range will likely increase enough to eliminate most of your camera shake if combined with stable handholding technique.
Even if you use the flourescent setting, I believe your camera allows you to fine-tune it more. I have an old D1X and it has it. I'm guessing yours will too. On any WB setting besides custom, press/hold WB button and rotate front dial (subcommand) left(-) or right(+).