Low light shooting

CanonFodder

CanonFodder

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Name
Dave
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Hi

Just a quick question - if I want to take pictures of people in low light (a not very well lit room) without over exposing by using the flash what settings should I use (shutter/aperture/etc)?

I don't have a flash gun as yet (on my Xmas list).

I have a Canon 500D with the bundled kit lens (17-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS) and the 50mm f/1.8.

Thank you :)
 
Use Av mode and balance the aperture and ISO to get the correct exposure. Depending on how much light there is(n't) you may find that you need to use the 50mm at f1.8 with a high ish ISO in order to get a usable hand held shutter speed (1/60 or quicker).

Basically wider aperture and higher ISO is preferable in low light so that you can still maintain a reasonable shutter speed.
 
Keep the shutter as wide open as you can(smallest f number) and put your iso on auto or adjust your iso manually until you get a decent shutter speed for hand held.

Can you not adjust your cameras flash power output, I'm afraid I don't use the dark side stuff but assume you can ask the budgie to turn the lamp down a little bit:D
 
Great thanks guys I'll play with the ISO and aperture to find the best one to use!

I'm not sure about adjusting the flash power output on the built in flash, I might have a look into that too though!

Thank you :)
 
Is there two of these threads - I'm sure I posted on it.
 
CanonFodder said:
Great thanks guys I'll play with the ISO and aperture to find the best one to use!

I'm not sure about adjusting the flash power output on the built in flash, I might have a look into that too though!

Thank you :)
Click to expand...

You can adjust the flash exposure compensation on the 500D (I have this camera)

Go into menus and select
>Flash Control
>Inbuilt flash
>Flash Exp comp

(wording from memory so may not be exact)

Play around until you get the desired outcome

Buck
 
Maybe the mods dont like you.:D:p
 
Use the 50mm f1.8 :)

You need a shutter speed of 1/60 and above to freeze people (depending on how quickly they move!) so that's what you need to aim for.

Pop it on A and set the aperture to f2 at ISO 400 and see what you get shutter speed wise. If it's not fast enough, up the ISO until it is :)

It's a balancing act between the ISO and a fast enough shutter speed and if you have the lens just about wide open then that's as good as it's going to get.
 
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