Finding it hard to focus with a Nikkor 1.8 during live music shoots HELP!

[DiskoJoe]

yeah, manual focus.

 

[ghache]

focusing on the eyes of live performer is kinda hard hahahahhahaha

 

[ghache]

crank your lens aperture a bit, lets say f2.8 and crank your iso, that will help with the focus hunting.

 

[e.rose]

Righto ill try no lower then 2.8 for my next gig, Ill use manual focus and see how it goes. I just want to be able to be competent with a 50mm before a buy another lens. I'm enjoying the challenge but it get frustrating at times.

No lower?

I'm not really sure what you mean by that... I'm not sure if you mean you won't stop up or stop down with your aperture

Either way, you shouldn't restrict yourself. You should do what the situation calls for.

I like living around f/2.8 because that's as small as I can get it and still get the background somewhat blurred (If the stage is long enough for that), but still have enough DOF that I'm not driving myself ABSOLUTELY crazy trying to nail focus.

That being said if I have the ability to stop down my aperture because the lighting is so good... I will. Because again it gives me a little more DOF. Then there have been times where I've shot entirely at f/1.4 because there was next to no light in a venue I was shooting at.

f/2.8 is just my starting point... I have a starting point for my shutter speed, aperture, *and* ISO, but I in no way restrict myself to those. Those are just reference points for me because the numbers I use seem to be an average for the places I shoot at.

Keep practicing. You'll get it! :sillysmi:

EDIT: fixed terminology stupidity.

 

[e.rose]

I'd suggest upgrading your focusing screen if possible,

I totally agree with this... even though it's something I haven't gotten a chance to do yet.

Ugh, I really need to start seeing what I can do to change that... :lmao: The focusing screen I have now is (obviously) a pain in the ass... *especially* at the cave-dark venues.