Large DOF & getting enough light

J

JaredSMark

Active member
It seems that when shooting outside, as well as in certain controlled environments, I can't go higher than 2.8 or else everything is way too dark. I shoot at ISO100 as much as I can and don't want to make that any higher than I have to.

I need to get a large DOF but I'm finding it near impossible without adding grain via ISO. I'm using a 60D with a 1.8 lens.
 
unless you mean "outside, at night", this doesn't make sense: I was shooting outside just yesterday; at ISO 100, I needed 6 stops of ND filtering to shoot at f/2.8!! and sometimes I had to go to f/4 if the subject was brightly colored (probably the most problematic was Zombie Little Red Riding Hood; yes, it was a fun shoot) - take those NDs out, and I would have needed f/22 to get proper exposure
 
Those old enough to remember when film came with instructions for guessimating exposure will be familiar with the Sunny f16 rule. This basically states that on a clear sunny day with hard shadows the aperture is f16 and a shutter speed which is the reciprocal of the ISO. So at ISO 100, @f16, a shutter speed of 1/100s will give the right exposure (f22 @ 1/50s). Cloudy bright with softer shadows and it is f11 @1/100s, Overcast f8, Heavy Overcast f5.6 etc. So f2.8, say 1/50s, ISO 100 must be well in the shade on a dull day. Also on the 60D you can probably get similar noise performance at ISO 160, and maybe have a bit more DR.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunny_16_rule
 
(multiples of 160 actually have a tiny bit less DR; not easy to test, because the difference is quite small, around 0.1 stops, but definitely less, not more; and the difference is small because the light response in the highlights becomes kinked; ISO 160x is for reduced noise when you have no DR issues)
 
Not sure on the APS-C cameras, but on a 5D I don't hesitate to go all the way to 640, do it without even a thought. I'll try not to go 1250 unless I have to, and I have shot at 3200 when there was no other choice.

Though as Samuel said, your question doesn't make sense because you are usually fighting it the other direction on ext day shots. Putting on ND filters trying to avoid having to shoot at F22 at ISO 100.
 
what I'm saying is "in sunlight, you have to use 6 stops of ND to get proper exposure at ISO 100 and f/2.8; how come you say you don't have enough light at ISO 100 and f/2.8? just take some NDs out if that's the issue; if it's not, it's weird"
 
Whenever I use the 60D outside, I always shoot below an ISO of 1250, with a series of ND Filters.

That being said, I frequently use the 50mm 1.2, so, yeah. Just realised this post is of no help to you.

Sorry!
 
I forgot to mention that it's VERY cloudy and rains here a lot. But my problem still remains indoors. I'd like to get more of the background in focus but it gives me an under exposed shot. I'm using an Arri 1k in a softbox and it's not cutting it.

I guess it's either I raise the ISO or shutter speed. I try and keep the ISO at 100 and I leave my shutter at 50 at all times.
 
JaredSMark said:
I forgot to mention that it's VERY cloudy and rains here a lot. But my problem still remains indoors. I'd like to get more of the background in focus but it gives me an under exposed shot. I'm using an Arri 1k in a softbox and it's not cutting it.

I guess it's either I raise the ISO or shutter speed. I try and keep the ISO at 100 and I leave my shutter at 50 at all times.
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It's just silly to take ISO off the table like that. Nobody does that, not even when switching ISO meant loading a different cartridge of film. You should be able to go 640 on a 7D with really no major issues. NEVER raise the shutter speed for exposure purposes.
 
yeh on my 7d i dont go above 640 for any paid shoot. however on the 60d you prob don't have that ISO unless you have magic lantern. I think you have 800. I wouldn't go above that. And yes its not recommended to NOT use the ISO. that is a necessary tool. the cleaner ISO's on the canons are 160,320,640, 1250. But unless you have magic lantern you wont be able to get those (and much more).
 
jambredz said:
yeh on my 7d i dont go above 640 for any paid shoot. however on the 60d you prob don't have that ISO unless you have magic lantern. I think you have 800. I wouldn't go above that. And yes its not recommended to NOT use the ISO. that is a necessary tool. the cleaner ISO's on the canons are 160,320,640, 1250. But unless you have magic lantern you wont be able to get those (and much more).
Click to expand...


60d has the same exact increment isos as the 7d, also using your iso for exposure is how you use the camera. 640 iso is very clean with 1250 having a little noise but still very useable. If you keep your iso ( original thread starter) at 100 and under expose your image that not enough light is reaching your sensor then you will have a very noisy and horrible shot. Learn your tools and how to use them.
 
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