50mm 1.8

[VFR]

Hi,
I am new to this forum and also new to the world of fotography.
I am having trouble taking pictures in bad light conditions. What is the best solution? Increase ISO. Let say from 400 to 800 or even to 1600 or use a lens wich has a diafragma of 1.8. For instance Nikon the 50mm lens? Or both?
I do not like taking flash pictures!

Thnx

Mike

Proud owner of a Fuji S2 pro
256Mb Lexar 24x speed
24-70 2.8 Sigma

P.s. Sorry for my poor English

ISO 400
Aperture 2.8
Shutter Speed 1/6 (Oke, to long I know)
Focal Lengt 24mm
Exposure Correction -1
White Balance Auto
No Flash

[ali]

If you don't want you use a flash in your situation, then you should use high ISO. Large apertures will make most of your subjects fuzzy. I would use ISO1600 f3.3 in your situation because your subjects are moving very fast.

[S_Leeper]

Another alternative is the 50 1.4 about $230, but that extra helps with low light situations... but remember that the dof becomes smaller the more open the f/stop...

[ali]

In case the poster needs help understanding, DOF is Depth of Field. Large apertures will make people in front and behind your focus area appear fuzzy. The f1.8 or f1.4 is great for capturing people side-by-side in low light situations.

[Chris G]

I don't like to use flash either. For indoor shots 1600 ISO at f2.8 is typical such as the photo below. A single incadescent lamp was above the table and a very small amount of light came in through the window. Taken with a Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8 lens at 1600 ISO f2.8 70mm 1/250th (I could have slowed the shutter down and gone with ISO 800 or a smaller lens opening, but I never shoot slower than 1/60 unless I use a tripod).