Elliot B. Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 I have an entry-level Nikon D3100 DSLR camera with the included 18-55mm VR lens. In lowish light conditions (e.g. wedding dances indoors in the early evening (but not night)), I try to not use the flash and, whilst the photos rarely blur because I increase the ISO, there is a lot of noise. I believe I need to let more light in. Can I do this by simply getting a bigger lens or will the body hold a bigger lens back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c.grz Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Is the D3100 a DX or FX camera? I haven't been following cameras since I can't afford to buy any. :-( If it's DX; I say go for this: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1755.htm If it's FX or you plan on going FX soon, I say go for this: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/24-70mm.htm But these lenses range from $1,500 to $1,800. Fast lenses aren't check. Draconian Guppy 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skiver Veteran Posted August 11, 2014 Veteran Share Posted August 11, 2014 a lens will help to a degree, I suspect the standard lens is the same that came with my 5100 which has an apperture of 3.5-5.6. You could opt to buy something that has a higher Aperture, this is quite a popular lens I believe for these tpyes of events; http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/nikon/af-s-50mm-f1-8g-81294/show.html Fixed focal legth which you may not like but I think it would do. However I doubt it will allow you to lower the ISO by enough. Have you not considered buying a flash to attach to the Camera? Get one that you can then angle and flash covers etc to soften the light. I'm not massively experienced with flashes but I believe the trick is to aim it towards a reflective surface (ceiling, wall to the side) which will then reflect back to your subject without the horrible bright foreground/dark background then you often get with standard forward facing flashes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draconian Guppy Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I have an entry-level Nikon D3100 DSLR camera with the included 18-55mm VR lens. In lowish light conditions (e.g. wedding dances indoors in the early evening (but not night)), I try to not use the flash and, whilst the photos rarely blur because I increase the ISO, there is a lot of noise. I believe I need to let more light in. Can I do this by simply getting a bigger lens or will the body hold a bigger lens back? The 3100 is an adequate performer. C.grz and Skiver are spot on, though I'd say Skiver is more realistic (as I wouldn't suggest +$1000 lens for someone on an entry level body ) One question I have to ask. Where do you see yourself in the future camera wise? Do you plan in changing body? Stay DX or FX (Full frame) ? The rule of thumb would be glass glass glass glass before body AND only when you have figured out that your body has weaknesses, you may want to think of a new camera body. I shot a lot of High ISO shots as well, I went from Nikon D50, D5000 to D600. in 7 years ( 3 with d50 and 3 with d5000). With those bodies (both DX) I bought a the nifty fifty Skiver is suggesting, 35mm 1.8, 70-300 (kit lens), 24-85, 24-70 amongst others, just as an example of how I grew with my bodies. For low light, you can't go wrong with prime lens. Though you need differentiate whether you want to use ambient light or flash light from a proper flash. @50mm with your body you have to multiply x 1.5 = 75mm, which is portrait territory, if it's more ambient + waist shots this will better serve you: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S-NIKKOR-35mm-1-8G/dp/B001S2PPT0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407849478&sr=8-1&keywords=35mm+nikon You don't necessarily need to invest in a new flash, this is a technique I used before being able to afford external flashes: https://www.google.hn/search?q=built+in+flash+bouncer&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=pBTqU9iNN6ji4QSzyYDgAw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=881 For noise, you can also post process using lightroom, noise ninja, neat image, there are a ton of noise removal tools. Do you have some sample images? Before choosing to buy a prime lens, look at your photos and determine what range you use the most (eg. either 18 or 55mm or something in between 30-35mm?) and that should be your prime lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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