Quick advice needed

[mamarazzi_squared]

We are going to a wedding tonight (as guests) and I am would like to try to get some good shots at the reception using the creative side of the dial. I am not very good when shooting with low light (I am getting better ...) and I do not have an external flash.

So, I have a 30D and I would like to only take one lens. Should I take my 50 f/1.8 or a telephoto lens like the 28-135 f/3.5 - 5.6? I assume I should take the 50 f/1.8 for the low light, right?

I am not going to have a tripod. I know that I need to bump up the ISO for low light. What shutterspeed should I be aiming for so that I can get a good shot without camera shake? Or should I set it to AV and keep it wide open?

Thanks!

[Daniel Bates]

If you're shooting the reception, definitely take the 50/1.8. Use the 1/focal length rule (keeping in mind that the 50 plus your 30D's crop factor makes an 80mm lens) and you should be fine. Don't hesitate to run the 30D up to 1600 or even 3200 if you have to - Canon's sensors are very good with regards to light.

[mamarazzi_squared]

So, would you recommend shooting in AV or TV mode under these conditions?

[Daniel Bates]

I usually shoot Av; if there's not much light I use f/1.8 and if there's enough light I stop down to get whatever DOF I want.

[mamarazzi_squared]

Thanks! I am going to give it a whirl and see how it goes.