Shooting inside without flash

[Trever1t]

I will be shooting an indoor event soon with the D700/70-200vrII combo without flash. I will have a monopod (yet to purchase) for added stability (vr on or off on a monopod?). I was considering shooting in Manual, setting shutter speed to 1/125 and setting to Auto ISO with a cap at H.3. My Aperture will vary depending on desired DOF. Probably spot metering.

Playing around the house I can get reasonable quality with these settings but I am open to suggestions from those that have shot in less than ideal lighting with similar equipment.

 

[joealcantar]

I would watch that Auto ISO thing, once you get a decent shot for the most part the light will not change unless you are at a concert etc. , watch the shutter speed as well with that lens , I'm sure it will get heavier as the function goes on.
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Shoot well, Joe

 

[Trever1t]

Yeah, thanks Joe. I hope the monopod helps with that weight. It's a beast with the grip.

 

[MTVision]

Pretty sure that on a tripod you turn the VR off. You turn it off because the VR is searching for vibration thus it will have slight shake while on a tripod.

 

[kundalini]

I don't do it, but I'm pretty sure you can set the D700 to a max ISO setting. ISO1600 should be a cakewalk and I wouldn't be bothered to increase it to ISO3200. I would avoid going into H settings at all cost though. It's available but I don't think it it is useful.

Do you not have an external flash? That would make life a bit easier.

With a mono or a tripod, VR should be OFF.

 

[Trever1t]

sure tripod, but a monopod? same?

External flash, yes I have 3 but not permitted during the ceremony.

 

[MTVision]

Leave VR ON on a monopod. It will correct for the usual vibration on a monopod.....

I looked it up on one of kenrockwell.com lens reviews where he says to turn off for tripod and on for monopod


Sorry - don't know where I got tripod from!! LOL!

 

[D-B-J]

I would also watch the auto ISO thing.

 

[Trever1t]

as in don't use it or limit it a stop lower?

 

[IgsEMT]

W/o knowing MUCH about your situation, I'd say start with ISO 2000, 1/80sec, f/4 and readjust from there.

Good Luck

 

[kundalini]

Pretty sure that on a tripod you turn the VR off. You turn it off because the VR is searching for vibration thus it will have slight shake while on a tripod.

This is correct.

Leave VR ON on a monopod. It will correct for the usual vibration on a monopod.....

I looked it up on one of kenrockwell.com lens reviews where he says to turn off for tripod and on for monopod


Sorry - don't know where I got tripod from!! LOL!

What is the difference between a monopod and a tripod other than two extra legs? The VR works the same with a ground of stability. It may not be quite so apparent, but someone tell me I'm thinking wrong.

 

[D-B-J]

as in don't use it or limit it a stop lower?

Well set it somewhere and see how your settings pan out. When you use it in Aperture priority and auto iso, i'm not sure what the camera prioritizes. And of course, in some situations you want a higher iso and smaller aperture, and vice versa. So i'd set it in aperture priority and set an iso first and see what your settings are.

 

[KmH]

From page 20 of the 70-200 VRII user's manual:

When the camera is mounted on a tripod, set the vibration reduction ON/OFF switch to OFF.
However, it is recommended that the switch be set to ON when using the camera on an unsecured tripod head or with monopod.

Any L or H ISO settings are done with software, not the amplifiers on the image sensor, and should be avoided at all cost.

 

[Trever1t]

DBJ I said I was considering shooting in manual with a set shutter speed and controlling my aperture for desired DOF. I can easily limit the Auto ISO to 6400 or less.

I haven't seen the location yet, shoot is next month but like mentioned it will probably have enough lighting to require less ISO.

By the way, have you seen the quality you can get at ISO 6400 with the D700? It's amazing

 

[Josh66]

Leave VR ON on a monopod. It will correct for the usual vibration on a monopod.....

I looked it up on one of kenrockwell.com lens reviews where he says to turn off for tripod and on for monopod


Sorry - don't know where I got tripod from!! LOL!

Why would you use a monopod that had "unusual vibration"? Doesn't that defeat the whole reason behind using a monopod...?

IMO - if you need VR/IS on a monopod, you need a better monopod...