Monopod for low light weddings?

[phil-t]

I've been thinking of trying a Monopod out with a challenging wedding coming up, the chapel is no-flash and extremely poorly lit, I've had someone pop down and they say with poor mid-day overcast lighting it's 1/20th f/1.8 ISO6400 for a worst case reasonable exposure..

I always have a tripod handy, but find it a bit unwieldy at weddings, so was wondering if a Monopod will help where I can't brace against a wall etc??

(I have in-body IS on the camera, and with the 35mm (50mm eq due to APS-C), I can just about get away with 1/20th if I get the couple to keep very still and brace myself, but there isn't always something convenient to brace against!!!)

 

[gad-westy]

Hmmm, will a monopod and IS work ok together? Not tried it myself. Sounds like you have a challenge!

 

[phil-t]

Hmmm, will a monopod and IS work ok together? Not tried it myself. Sounds like you have a challenge!

There aren't any issues with using IS (Sony A77) on a tripod, It's more if a monopod is as good as bracing against a wall (when there is nothing to prop/brace yourself).. or are they just useful for supporting heavy kit..

 

[Iris]

I don't have IS on my 70-200 & get very blurry shots at 1/50, I'll try it out on the monopod later & see if theres a difference

 

[srichards]

Sounds more like a dungeon than a chapel! Did they take your camera or another one? Your SLT loses a third of a stop of light with the mirror... I'd take it in and see whether images are acceptable. I'd try at 12,600 too to get a bit more of a shutter speed to avoid person blur. I think 1/20th might be too slow. 1/40th is probably a reasonable minimum.

Try RAW & JPG to see how processing it differently can help. I'd also see if you can sneak in some continuous lighting or discrete reflectors to try and get a bit more light falling on the couple.

 

[phil-t]

Sounds more like a dungeon than a chapel! Did they take your camera or another one? Your SLT loses a third of a stop of light with the mirror... I'd take it in and see whether images are acceptable. I'd try at 12,600 too to get a bit more of a shutter speed to avoid person blur. I think 1/20th might be too slow. 1/40th is probably a reasonable minimum.

Try RAW & JPG to see how processing it differently can help. I'd also see if you can sneak in some continuous lighting or discrete reflectors to try and get a bit more light falling on the couple.

I think the SLT loses a litte more light (2/3 stop), combined with the tiny pixel size (24MP in APS-C), ISO6400 is closer to most of the competitions ISO3200.. But I think ISO ratings are comparable, so you are right, 12600 1/40th would be something to aim for!

It does have a multi-frame NR option, I did some shots the other day @ 12600 using it.. it's passable and does handle small subject movement quite well.
Full scene (resized to show the scene)

and 1:1

A good point about sneaking some lighting in! I may actually see if we can get some sizeable candle light or similar in the church, that would make for some quite nice shots in itself!

But whatever I end up doing, it's the case of do I try a Monopod to get that extra stability at 1/20 or 1/40th?

(Thanks for the comments so far!)

 

[Phil V]

I think the SLT loses a litte more light (2/3 stop), combined with the tiny pixel size (24MP in APS-C), ISO6400 is closer to most of the competitions ISO3200.. But I think ISO ratings are comparable, so you are right, 12600 1/40th would be something to aim for!

It does have a multi-frame NR option, I did some shots the other day @ 12600 using it.. it's passable and does handle small subject movement quite well.
Full scene (resized to show the scene)

and 1:1

A good point about sneaking some lighting in! I may actually see if we can get some sizeable candle light or similar in the church, that would make for some quite nice shots in itself!

But whatever I end up doing, it's the case of do I try a Monopod to get that extra stability at 1/20 or 1/40th?

(Thanks for the comments so far!)

The thing is at below 1/60 you'll almost certainly get subject movement, that's always been my guide anyway, I use a monopod in church the at receptions for my non-IS 70-200

 

[phil-t]

The thing is at below 1/60 you'll almost certainly get subject movement, that's always been my guide anyway, I use a monopod in church the at receptions for my non-IS 70-200

Thanks! I totally agree on the subject movement, I will be visiting the church with the couple before the wedding and ensuring we practice keeping still for some key shots and see what I can get away with, plus also see if I can introduce some lighting should it turn out as bad as I've been informed..