Low light lens question

Jessielee13 · Jan 7, 2011

I need a low light lens for taking photos in a night club... my weapon for this is a canon rebel t1i... so now... what lens would you recommend for this

Light Artisan · Jan 7, 2011

Any f/1.4 or f/1.8 should be good, possibly f/2.8... if you can use flash that would open up the possibilities.

Without knowing the club it's hard to say what focal length you'd need though.

Jessielee13 · Jan 7, 2011

One is long and narrow... the other is a big square actual measurements I am not sure of... I know for sure the one I am allowed to use a flash in the other I am not positive... do I need a special flash for this or will any non pop up flash work?

reznap · Jan 7, 2011

My favorite night club shots are ones taken with a wide angle lens (10-22mm) where a slow shutter speed is used (1/4 second) and a flash is used to freeze the motion. This will result in cool light trails, a good sense of movement and a clear picture of the person/dj/subject right in front of you. So.. if you're truly serious I'd get a superwide zoom and a decent hotshoe flash.

EDIT:
Hmm.. might be bad form for me to link to another forum but it's relevant and it should give you some ideas.
Here's a great thread on night club photos: (some NSFW)
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=895331

Jessielee13 · Jan 7, 2011

thank you for the link.. It looks interesting I will spend more time reading through it tonight and thank you for your lens input I am def serious about this

Jessielee13 · Jan 7, 2011

Okay so until I get the money together for the more expensive lens would something like this work for practicing

Canon EF 28mm F/2.8

or this

Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II

Restomage · Jan 7, 2011

50mm is going to be way too long for a club. I've shot at plenty of clubs and on a crop frame sensor you'll need 28mm and wider.

Jessielee13 · Jan 7, 2011

So go for the first one

Thank you very much for your input. I am looking at another lens that I want and will get I just can't come up with the grand to spend in a matter of a week lol

reznap · Jan 7, 2011

Jessielee13 said:
Okay so until I get the money together for the more expensive lens would something like this work for practicing

Canon EF 28mm F/2.8

or this

Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 II

The former.. although I'd be tempted to spring for the f/1.8 28mm Canon with USM.

Also consider a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 non-vc - you can find them used for like $350, cheaper if you're lucky.