Is my camera holding me back?

[AMOMENT]

for what it's worth....i just visited your site and was very impressed!!! How long have you been at this?

 

[manaheim]

I don't think your camera is holding you back in any way! Get some new glass instead of a new body!

That gets you at most 2-3 stops of light. Generally not enough in awkward lighting conditions to avoid high ISO requirements.

 

[SabrinaO]

The D300s or D700 would be your choices for high IQ/high ISO bodies, BUT why????? If you're shooting portraits, you want to keep your ISO down. If you need to shoot a portrait at ISO 1600, it means to me that you need to improve your knowledge of lighting (which, as has been alluded to, is progressing). Remember that all light is natural, whether generated by sun, stars, moon, or strobe. A photon is a photon is a photon, and AFAIK, they haven't come up with a way to synthesize them yet.

Why would you rather increase your ISO than add light?

Well that's the thing. I have a problem in using flash outdoors. It just doesn't look natural and you can tell flash was used. Its also a hassle chasing around kids and adjusting not only the exposure but the flash exposure also. Even TTL doesnt give me any desired results. Plus using the flash will mean I have to either bounce it off something and there is not always *something* I could use. I could use a reflector but its just too much equipment and I don't have an assistant. With outdoor shoots id like to shoot right on the go, and not have to "stage" every shot.

Anyways ive been through this guys site http://www.neilvn.com and he uses flash outdoors. His photos are amazing and natural looking, so im reading a lot of his articles. I also want to sign up for one of his workshop. But anyways he also uses a high ISO (800-1600) for his low light portraits and they look crystal clear. Does he have an anti noise software or something, or is it his camera that can handle it?

 

[SabrinaO]

With only two lenses, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 and 35mm 1.8, I would also seriously look to expanding your lens range as well as your lighting long before considering changing camera bodies.

I also have the tamron 28-75 2.8. Even with my 1.8 its not enough light sometimes. What lens do you suggest i get? I think the only way is getting a better body...

 

[SabrinaO]

what do you mean by natural light photography. why not just get a tripod and slow down? are your subjects moving?

I mainly shoot children a slow shutter is not possible..lol.

 

[SabrinaO]

for what it's worth....i just visited your site and was very impressed!!! How long have you been at this?

Thanks! It will be a year in December

 

[SabrinaO]

Wait.. so some of you said the D5100 and the D7000 have the same sensor?? I was thinking of getting the d7000 but if the d5100 is the equivalent ill just get that!

 

[jake337]

With only two lenses, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 and 35mm 1.8, I would also seriously look to expanding your lens range as well as your lighting long before considering changing camera bodies.

I also have the tamron 28-75 2.8. Even with my 1.8 its not enough light sometimes. What lens do you suggest i get? I think the only way is getting a better body...

Or continue learning and practicing off camera lighting techniques.

 

[jake337]

The D300s or D700 would be your choices for high IQ/high ISO bodies, BUT why????? If you're shooting portraits, you want to keep your ISO down. If you need to shoot a portrait at ISO 1600, it means to me that you need to improve your knowledge of lighting (which, as has been alluded to, is progressing). Remember that all light is natural, whether generated by sun, stars, moon, or strobe. A photon is a photon is a photon, and AFAIK, they haven't come up with a way to synthesize them yet.

Why would you rather increase your ISO than add light?

Well that's the thing. I have a problem in using flash outdoors. It just doesn't look natural and you can tell flash was used. Its also a hassle chasing around kids and adjusting not only the exposure but the flash exposure also. Even TTL doesnt give me any desired results. Plus using the flash will mean I have to either bounce it off something and there is not always *something* I could use. I could use a reflector but its just too much equipment and I don't have an assistant. With outdoor shoots id like to shoot right on the go, and not have to "stage" every shot.

Anyways ive been through this guys site http://www.neilvn.com and he uses flash outdoors. His photos are amazing and natural looking, so im reading a lot of his articles. I also want to sign up for one of his workshop. But anyways he also uses a high ISO (800-1600) for his low light portraits and they look crystal clear. Does he have an anti noise software or something, or is it his camera that can handle it?

It doesn't look natural because your new to it and not proficient at it yet. Don't worry, I would say every beginner sucks at off camera lighting at first. I definitely suck at it!

Your obviously learning to use your camera pretty quickly, but lighting will, most likely, take a bit more time to understand fully.

At the same time, I had a d5000 and swapped it for a d90 within a week just for the in-body motor ability to control off camera flash with its comander mode. Not to mention the difference in durability between the two bodies.

 

[gsgary]

The D300s or D700 would be your choices for high IQ/high ISO bodies, BUT why????? If you're shooting portraits, you want to keep your ISO down. If you need to shoot a portrait at ISO 1600, it means to me that you need to improve your knowledge of lighting (which, as has been alluded to, is progressing). Remember that all light is natural, whether generated by sun, stars, moon, or strobe. A photon is a photon is a photon, and AFAIK, they haven't come up with a way to synthesize them yet.



Why would you rather increase your ISO than add light?

Well that's the thing. I have a problem in using flash outdoors. It just doesn't look natural and you can tell flash was used. Its also a hassle chasing around kids and adjusting not only the exposure but the flash exposure also. Even TTL doesnt give me any desired results. Plus using the flash will mean I have to either bounce it off something and there is not always *something* I could use. I could use a reflector but its just too much equipment and I don't have an assistant. With outdoor shoots id like to shoot right on the go, and not have to "stage" every shot.

Anyways ive been through this guys site http://www.neilvn.com and he uses flash outdoors. His photos are amazing and natural looking, so im reading a lot of his articles. I also want to sign up for one of his workshop. But anyways he also uses a high ISO (800-1600) for his low light portraits and they look crystal clear. Does he have an anti noise software or something, or is it his camera that can handle it?

Shooting portraits outside without a flash or reflector is going to make your shots look like every other beginner, not very interesting, if flash is used well outside you can hardly tell

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Well that's the thing. I have a problem in using flash outdoors.

Cuz learning to use flash is hard.

.

 

[mwcfarms]

Wait.. so some of you said the D5100 and the D7000 have the same sensor?? I was thinking of getting the d7000 but if the d5100 is the equivalent ill just get that!

No no no, the D5100 will not autofocus with some lenses like the nifty fifty. Food for thought there. Honestly I don't think the body is holding you back. Most of the time you would be shooting in day time correct? Full sun daylight outside your body should be sufficient. If I were you I would get some better lenses. Forget buying the 85 1.4 honestly the 1.8 is a great lens as well for a fraction of the cost. Its got a solid body and can take a bit of a beating and its great for portraits. I use flash outdoors on just about everyshoot these days even for just a fill. If I have someone to hold the reflector then I get them to do that instead. Invest in a lighting course if you have one near you. Take some of the frustration out of the mystery of flash.

 

[Robin Usagani]

Shooting portraits outside without a flash or reflector is going to make your shots look like every other beginner, not very interesting, if flash is used well outside you can hardly tell

I respectfully disagree gary. Sometimes the light is just right (diffused sun form behind you and blue sky behind the subject) and I rather shoot without flash.

 

[kundalini]

I respectfully disagree gary.

I respectfully disagree with your disagreement.

It's always better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it. If you carry your lighting with you, you can always try shots both ways.

 

[gsgary]

Shooting portraits outside without a flash or reflector is going to make your shots look like every other beginner, not very interesting, if flash is used well outside you can hardly tell

I respectfully disagree gary. Sometimes the light is just right (diffused sun form behind you and blue sky behind the subject) and I rather shoot without flash.

I'm sorry but i'm never wrong