Suggestions for shooting at the auto-show

[chernabog]

This year's auto-show will be the first one I'll be using my XTi at. I find shooting at car shows to not always be the easiest thing due to the poor lighting. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to take good pics with a DSLR? I'll be using an XTi with the kit lens and won't have a tripod. Would it be a good idea to try and grab the 50mm F/1.8 lens?

Thanks

[blue mountain raider]

i thought auto shows are notorious for good lightning at the showrooms ?

if lightning is bad i think longer exposure and tripod are a must.

anyone agree with this?

[chernabog]

Actually the lighting at the Autoshow is pretty good. I guess I was generalizing while including shows like Speedorama and Performance World.

[Aero]

i thought auto shows are notorious for good lightning at the showrooms ?

if lightning is bad i think longer exposure and tripod are a must.

anyone agree with this?

Problem with that is that there's a lot of people walking around and in most cases getting in front of you, so longer exposure and tripod might not be a better idea in this case. I haven't been to CIAS in a couple of years so it might've changed.

EDIT: Forgot, that is unless you have a press pass or something where you can go in before its open to the public.

[goofball]

This year's auto-show will be the first one I'll be using my XTi at. I find shooting at car shows to not always be the easiest thing due to the poor lighting. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to take good pics with a DSLR? I'll be using an XTi with the kit lens and won't have a tripod. Would it be a good idea to try and grab the 50mm F/1.8 lens?

Thanks

I wouldn't use a 50mm for that, too close for full car shots if you intend to get those. You would need to step back and that usually means people walking in front all the time. Something wider would be better.

[adblink182]

definitely wider the better

my next lens is going to be the sigma 10-20mm if I can find a Canadian selling a used one. That would be perfect for an auto show

[cy]

I will be bringing my 5D + 24-105 + flash. I doubt i'll be needing the flash, but just in case ;)

[AudiDude]

Bring a stun gun to remove the guy with his 4 kids crawling all over the car you are trying to photograph. You know the one who is talking to the salesman like he is going to actually take his card and come and purchase a car later, whose kids are (taking turns) pretending they are driving the car?

Good Luck.

[mv10]

Typically, it's better to bring wide angles for auto shows. As it'll be much easier to capture the entire car within one shot.

I went to the NAIAS last month in Detriot. There was just too much people there, so I decided just use my 85mm prime for the detail shot, for a change. 85mm on full frame camera will work out very similar to 50mm on APS-c.

http://www.flickr.com/gp/10502709@N05/qF47BL


I am planing to bring 70-200 2.8 IS on 20D, a 16-35 with CPOL on 1Ds2 with 580EXII, and an 85 and 430EX for the auto show this Wed.

[2000fordfocus]

definitely wider the better

my next lens is going to be the sigma 10-20mm if I can find a Canadian selling a used one. That would be perfect for an auto show

Agree!

[edgedamage]

Ugh nothing worse than having the shutter button pressed halfway down, only to have somebody walk into your frame.

[KorruptioN]

Ugh nothing worse than having the shutter button pressed halfway down, only to have somebody walk into your frame.

Having somebody with their camera phone stand infront of you.

[CSAgent]

Three years ago I went with my Canon S50 on a Sunday night, got all decent shots, no one walking in my way. Lighting (not lightning...) is very good, all fluorescent to give it that white cool color look. Just be patient and you'll get your shot. I took at least 6 shots of each car.

[Aero]

Having somebody with their camera phone stand infront of you.

or having someone bump you while taking a shot.

[bob0]

last year's autoshow i went with an 300D+kit lens.

things i learned
- there are certain areas with poor lighting, so an image stabilized lens and fast lens are recommended. and bump up your iso to the highest w/o noticeable noise
- have a wide lens, and a nice telephoto for detail shots + shots of those exotics (or a good zoom)
- forget the tripod...it'll get in everyone's way
- autofocus doesnt really work on shiny car paint... haha
- have patience

[DaVibe]

I think the autoshow is bright enough that using the flash will produce darker photos, at least with compact digital cameras.
I always take pictures, then I find better looking pictures that someone took at the same show online ...

I'm debating whether I should even bother, then let you guys take photos instead ;)

[vincent-poon]

any ideas on how to shoot at shows like darknights or importfest?

I went to darknights with my D40 and kit lens, and even at iso1600, there was still blur in the pics. I assume one reason for this is the lens, since the lowest is F/3.5. Using the pop-up flash would cause the cars and girls to over expose. Taking pics of girls on stage was exceptionally difficult, as I was far away and had to zoom in, so the aperture would become 5.6.

any tips on these things without breaking the bank would be great.

[bob0]

i dont think you can do much in your situation.
maybe invest in a speedlite? this will probably be your cheapest option.