bwuphoto

<p>D700, 24-70/2.8 @ 31mm, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/200. Lit with a single SB-900 with a CTO gel. It was 16 degrees, she was a trooper!</p><div></div>

<p>D700, 14-24/2.8 @ 14mm, f/10, 1/250 sec, ISO LO 1.0. Cloudy WB. SB-800 at high camera right fired at or near full power.</p><div></div>

<p>D700, 24-70/2.8 at 26mm, ISO 200, f/9, 1/160sec, daylight WB. The model was lit with a single unmodified SB-800 just outside the left edge of the frame, on something like 1/8 power.</p><div></div>

<p>D300, 80-200/2.8 @ 130mm, ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/320sec.</p><div></div>

<p>I'm stuck in Washington DC in the middle of the blizzard... but managed to do a fun snow photo shoot with a local musician, Margot MacDonald, on Saturday. Natural light (it's about as flattering as possible with all the snow), D700, 24-70/2.8 @ 70mm and f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/1250sec.</p><div></div>

<p>Fun portrait session out in the cold, with one trooper of a model! D700, 24-70/2.8 at f/4.0, 1/100 sec, ISO 200. Tungsten WB. Two strobes: SB-800 camera right, shoot-thru umbrella, gelled with a full CTO and a 1/4 CTO. SB-600 camera left, full CTO.</p><div></div>

<p>Impromptu portrait in Cuenca, Ecuador. D700 + 50/1.4 AF-D, f/4.0, 1/1000 sec, ISO 200.</p><div></div>

<p>This is a house in the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans. Completely untouched four years after Hurricane Katrina - still dishes, photos, etc strewn around. Nikon D700, 14-24/2.8 at 14mm, f/5.6, 1/160 sec and ISO 800. On-camera fill flash at -2 EV to cast a little light on the mug.</p><div></div>

<p>Bruce Springsteen in concert Monday night. D300, Nikon 300mm f/2.8 AF-S version I, f/2.8 at 1/400 sec and ISO 1600.</p><div></div>

<p>D700, 24-70/2.8 @ 70mm, f/2.8, 1/80 sec, ISO 800. Natural window light only.</p><div></div>

<p>Here's one from a backpacking trip this past weekend. D700, 24-70/2.8 @ 70mm, f/2.8, ISO 400.</p><div></div>

<p>Tom, I guarantee that the live shots with today's digital technology are different (I'm not going to say "better," that's a can of worms) from those shot with, say, ASA 800 film years ago - color rendition and dynamic range, etc etc, not to mention the fact that I can shoot a dim concert at 1/250 sec and capture fast action with little motion blur. Being able to handhold a shot at 1/20 sec is great but what if you're shooting a metal band or hip-hop group that won't ever stand still? Plus, the fact that I <strong>can</strong> use a huge array of f/2.8 lenses opens up a whole new set of creative options (don't get me wrong, I still use a 50/1.4 a LOT as needed).<br>

<br /> There's an expanded range of options with this level of technology, and whether you'd consider it "better" or not, there is a set of photographers out there welcoming it with open arms. Notice I didn't say we "need" this stuff. I said it's "useful," in response to your "useless crap" comment.</p>

<p>As someone who regularly shoots live music in which I need to capture fast action at extremely low light levels, without the aid of flash, I can vouch for the fact that what some seem to perceive as insanely high ISOs are indeed useful to plenty of people out there. And it has nothing to do with "poor technique" or "poor lens selection."</p>

<p>Wow some really beautiful stuff this week. Thanks for the warm welcome last week, here is another one with the D700+Rodenstock combo.<br>

D700, Rodenstock TV-Heligon 42/0.75 lens, 1/50 sec, ISO 800.</p><div></div>

<p>$20 for that thing? Wow.</p>

<p>Sure. I use a PX setup with generic umbrella swivels from Adorama (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-Universal-Swivel-Holder-4117/dp/B0011FWQPA">here at Amazon</a> ). The hotshoe mount just unscrews from it, leaving a male screw that fits the female attachment in the PX mount. Now if only I could stick the mount onto my Justin clamps... no way to do that unfortunately.</p>

<p>What kind of shows are you shooting? As others said, if you're shooting bar bands or tiny clubs, a flash (and off-camera sync cord, ideally) might be your best investment right now, perhaps with a 35/1.8 or 50/1.8 to at least give you the option of shooting available light. But if you're shooting at mid-sized venues (say 600-1200 capacity), which often don't allow flash and have decent lighting rigs, you're going to want a fast midrange zoom. For your budget you can get a used 17-55/2.8 if you look around enough, and that seems like your best bet.<br /> <br /> The 18-200 is totally unsuited for concert photography, unless you can use flash with impunity.<br /> <br /> Here's a shot from a dim club with the D300 and 17-55/2.8 combination... ISO pumped up to 3200.</p><div></div>

<p>First time participating! Here's my contribution. D700, Rodenstock TV-Heligon 42mm f/0.75 lens. ISO 800, 1/100 sec.</p>

<p align="center"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/3975590069_7d5e05207e_o.jpg" alt="" width="532" height="800" /></p>

 

I second the recommendations for Murray and Forbes in Squirrel Hill, and Walnut St. in Shadyside. Good cross-section of people at the former, the latter is more upscale and trendy. Best place to see interesting people at night may be the South Side along Carson St.

 

Mount Washington is great for cityscape photography but terribly boring for people photography.