550D low light capabilities

[Michael Lorushe]

Hi guys,

I can definitely see the aperture opening and closing on the front of lens through the glass as I adjust the setting. I found an old 50mm prime lens lying around my house which I attached to the 550d and everything still looks darker than it should be…I strongly suspect the problem lies with the the camera.

I’m sure I’m shooting in full manual mode. There are three sets of numbers and I can adjust them all manually.

This is immensely frustrating. I have a paid shoot I wanted to use this camera for in a couple of days. May have to go back to the EX1 until I figure this out.

I spoke to a friend who had a 550d with the standard kit lens. We’re going to meet up and compare camera settings, shots etc and hopefully identify the source of the problem. I’ll keep you guys posted on how I get on.

Thank you for your suggestions.

Michael Folorunsho – Videographer & Editor
http://www.mikedoesmedia.com

[Steve Crow]

Yes, it is sure sounding like the camera…don’t forget to try it out in a more brightly lit room to see what kind of performance you are getting.

It’s great you have a friend with the same camera – that will be a great diagnostic test for this situation.

I can really relate to your frustration, hang in there…also don’t forget the sound, please don’t rely on the camera’s built in microphone which is terrible. Dual system sound is absolutely the way to go, I use the Zoom H4N with wireless mics but to be honest the user interface on the Zoom is not good and has caused me to think I was recording when I was not, very embarrassing.

I may switch to another recorder with a more basic user interface even though the H4N does record great sound.

[Ben Holmes]

Cheap is a relative term – and certainly its not cheap compared to a kit lens, however it’s still slow for low light video – the money would have been better spent on a faster, prime lens.

I don’t know anyone using a DSLR primarily for video using zoom lenses. There’s a reason for that. And as I own a 550D and have tested the suggested settings, I can tell his results look right to me.

Most of this goes to prove two things: 1) People have unrealistic expectations of what modern cameras can do (especially on a budget – a 550d is NOT a 5D) and 2) The human eye is a wonderful thing – the light we can read by is far lower level than we can easily shoot at. I’d probably add a third: lighting is not obsolete.

Ben

Edit Out Ltd
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[Michael Sacci]

I won’t be “figuring it out” I would be returning the camera ASAP, get a new one before the shoot.

[Michael Lorushe]

Ben,

Thanks for your input. You said the ‘money would have been better spent on a faster, prime lens’ …any suggestions? You reckon a 50mm f1.4 prime would be good enough for low light video?

Mike

Michael Folorunsho – Videographer & Editor
http://www.mikedoesmedia.com

[Andy Lewis]

Hi Mike,

It’s easy enough to predict. 1.4 is two stops faster than 2.8.
So the 1.4 wide open should, at 800 iso, have the same exposure as 2.8 at 3200 (but without the noise).

That said, you will have very shallow depth of field. Even with static interviews I don’t like to go bigger than 2.8 – although that’s on a full frame.

The 1.8 is good also and less money. Or yes, get some lighting.

[Michael Lorushe]

Cool. Thanks for this tips. I think I’ll look at getting an 85mm prime for my next lens, either a 1.8 or 1.4.

Michael Folorunsho – Videographer & Editor
http://www.mikedoesmedia.com

[Ben Holmes]

That’s a very long lens to use indoors. I find the 50mm too long for anything over a midshot. Obviously – have a look at it for your own uses. You can always move closer, but further away is a problem when you hit a wall…

Also – bears repeating that you only get the exposure you want at very low f-stops, so you have very shallow depth of field. Non-moving subjects will be ok, but even interviews will suffer with sections of the face out-of-focus.

The only other alternative is to get a more sensitive camera.

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

https://www.blackmagic-design.com/casestudies/detail.asp?case=therydercup

[Michael Lorushe]

You really reckon 85mm is too long for indoors? I used my 17-50 zoom for some interviews a few days ago and I found that i couldn’t really get as close as I’d like without actually moving the camera and tripod closer to the subject. Also, I’d prefer to get a prime with a focal length that isn’t covered by the zoom I already have.

Michael Folorunsho – Videographer & Editor
http://www.mikedoesmedia.com

[Stephen Knox]

Hey man. Don’t send your camera back. I was having the same exact problem using the lens that shipped with it. I’m new at this too and I realized that I didn’t know how the aperture control worked’ so I thought that I could only fix the darkness by adding a higher ISO (Bad Move).

You change the aperture by holding down the “Av+/-” button while scrolling the wheel in front of the ISO button (Sorry if I’m being captain obvious)

As far as I know when I use the lens that shipped with the camera (18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens) it only allows me to lower the aperture to “3.5”, but my 50mm f/1.8 lens gives me the option to lower it to 1.8 of course.

the “Av+/-” button is located near the right top corner of your screen. if you lens is at least an f/1.8 through f/2.4 you should be able to drastically brighten your indoor shots. I’m only stating this because I just figured it out as I am a noob also:)