I have been doing photography for several years but really only as a hobby for a couple months of the year. I take candid shots of marching band members, usually outdoors. Everyone seems to love my photos and I have a good understanding of composition and settings, but when it comes to equipment I need to look for advice as it's something I am not so great at picking out, and equipment is bought on the organizations money so I don't want to waste anything, nor do I have a big budget.
I have a Nikon D60 with 2 lenses. Currently a Nikkor 70-200mm and a Sigma 10-20. In a few weeks I have been asked to take pictures of the spirit squads which consist of groups of 25 and together, about 50 people in one shot. I've noticed with the Sigma that there's some distortion towards the edges (which I know wide angles will do that) and I want to be sure to avoid any sort of distortion when taking photos (as they're using them for calendars). I am hoping they do a lot of outdoor shots (that's my best comfort zone) which counts on the weather, but I would also like a lens that works well in low light/indoors and only needs the stock flash as a backup. Or does the organization invest in a flash, too? There's also usually 1 or 2 night games I go to in the fall that I'd also like to be able to use this lens for as well, where it's lit with NCAA level stadium lightning. The Sigma is not so great for low lights I've found out last season (which is fine, I loved it on bright, sunny days.)
If there is some lens that will allow me to take great group pictures in possible low light conditions, that would be fantastic. Do I need to find something with a very low f-stop (are larger openings considered low f-stops?) Also, I know with lower F-Stops, the depth of field isn't as great, so I know I will have to watch myself too when shooting group pictures.
if anyone has any setups that also involve a flash, I would be open to that, too. I just don't have much experience using an added flash.
I have a Nikon D60 with 2 lenses. Currently a Nikkor 70-200mm and a Sigma 10-20. In a few weeks I have been asked to take pictures of the spirit squads which consist of groups of 25 and together, about 50 people in one shot. I've noticed with the Sigma that there's some distortion towards the edges (which I know wide angles will do that) and I want to be sure to avoid any sort of distortion when taking photos (as they're using them for calendars). I am hoping they do a lot of outdoor shots (that's my best comfort zone) which counts on the weather, but I would also like a lens that works well in low light/indoors and only needs the stock flash as a backup. Or does the organization invest in a flash, too? There's also usually 1 or 2 night games I go to in the fall that I'd also like to be able to use this lens for as well, where it's lit with NCAA level stadium lightning. The Sigma is not so great for low lights I've found out last season (which is fine, I loved it on bright, sunny days.)
If there is some lens that will allow me to take great group pictures in possible low light conditions, that would be fantastic. Do I need to find something with a very low f-stop (are larger openings considered low f-stops?) Also, I know with lower F-Stops, the depth of field isn't as great, so I know I will have to watch myself too when shooting group pictures.
if anyone has any setups that also involve a flash, I would be open to that, too. I just don't have much experience using an added flash.
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