An Example Of Low Light Photography...

[Speed]

With a fast prime lens. This is sort of a follow up to Another Views preference for a fast prime over a VR lens. A preference which I share.

Taken Sunday evening with my F5 with my 50mm f 1.4, NPH, a Hoya 80C filter, and my Bogen tripod. It was a LOT darker than I liked, and this is one of the few times I've shot people with my 50mm wide open. Even at that, I was getting shutter speeds of 1/8th to 1/10th of a second.

I would have loved to have been up front, where I could have shot at f 2.0 or higher. I usually stop down at least one stop for these type of shots. Since light follows the inverse square law (at twice the distance, you get 1/4th the light, at three times the distance, you get 1/9th the light, and so on), and I was at the back of the church, I was lucky to get what I did.

And yes, I know it's not level. It was VERY dark in the church, and framing and focusing were a real bear. But I wanted to post an example of a low light shot. And if anyone has a Nikon 85mm f 1.4 they no longer use, feel free to donate it to Speed at ....
Yeah, I didn't think so. ;-)