Nikon Lenses a little help/ Opinion on shooting at night

[CookFX Productions]

The local camera shop in town has a 55mm, an a 24mm Nikon AI lens for cheap, and both are in good condition too. But here is what im concerned about, Both are 1:2.8, are these lenses both going to be capable of getting a decent shot at Night. There will be lighting, but were also trying to use the street light as much as possible. Its a Vampire movie and the whole thing takes place at night, in alleyways and dark corners under street lamps. Should I be looking into a couple lenses with a larger aperture or would these two be efficient enough to do the job. I got canon lenses, most of the primes, but I have read that Nikon makes a far better picture. But Filming at night is a whole different challenge for any lenses I would imagine. Any suggestions on what I should be trying to get with a lens best suited for night. And I dont got the cash to put up for a more pro lens.

Brian

 

[Shooter]

I have to say it.

Using the street lighting ("free light") is more problematic than the lens aperture.

Steet light is toppy, color temp un balanced, variable, un focussed and un controllable etc...

You need to supplement and enhance it anyway to do a decent job so make sure you have enough to get on the aperture.

BTW - many of my Nikkors are f2.8 (but then ...I always have a light truck).

Never shot a Vampire movie on the street though but I would still light it.

 

[CookFX Productions]

I dont think I will have in the budget to have a light truck, or any large gas powered lighting stand, Though there is a place in town that rents a 2 light gas operated light stand and they prob stand a good 20 ft in the air, and adjustable. The only major problem with having something that big is were going to be in a small downtown area full of tourist, and jackass cops who would shut us down for something that big sitting on the street across from alleys and street corners. It wouldnt last long enough for me to pull my shots. Lighting equipment is going to be used but nothing bigger than the two large cans I got from Cool-lights. And what work lights we can build into something to use aswell. Wish I had the money for bigger lights, and wasnt going to have to do alot of this Gorilla style. This is a small tourist sink hole, and I doubt I could even get permission from the city to even set up what Im planning on doing. I expect to get kicked off the street at least more than once.

 

[imustdirect]

Brian,

I have a Letus35 Extreme and Nikon 28mm F2.8, 50mm F1.8, and Nikon 85mm F1.8. I will be testing this weekend at night. I'll let you know.

 

[Huy Vu]

Wide angle lens at f2.8=very little light coming through. I would just say using an adapter and shooting at night with almost no light is a bad idea is general. It's just not going to look good especially if you're doing run and gun. Lighting at night is more about lighting the background than the subject; if you don't already have a decently lit background it just looks like you're shooting in a tunnel; very low budget.

 

[Park Edwards]

don't use an adapter.

 

[dadoboy]

It's great you're going for it without a lighting truck. But you will be facing a lot of limitations. Street light or available night time ambience with slow lenses and an adapter will usually result in a lot of noisy - grainy images. Probably best to realize the limitations of what you're doing, shoot without an adapter and with the native zoom lens of your camera, which could be a F1.6 - F2.3. As already written, sodium vapor or other type of streetlights will give you racoon eyes, and a really awful kind of coloration. Might be good to consider getting a small put put generator and throwing up a light or two just for the mediums and close-ups, and living with what's available for the wides.

 

[killamill]

Where did you read that the nikon lenses provide a far better looking image? Because that´s not true (I use both brands). They both do the job very well. Both, Canon and Nikon, have better lenses inside their own company. But to say that Nikon beats Canon or otherwise, is impossible.

Like the some of the rest recommended, a video camera/adapter/35mm lens is more "light hungry" than the naked camera. So, if you don´t have light enough to compensate that, just don´t use it.

A.-

 

[Luis_]

What kind of camera are you using?
because I shot this at night with no adapter or lenses.
Straight raw camera lens,
No lights.
Except for what ever street lights were there.

http://www.vimeo.com/3143299