Focusing screen ?

Hi,

I have just got myself a Nikon D40. Bought myself a 55-200 vr (great lens) to go with the kit and I am awaiting my nifty fifty. My main interest is going to be live gig photography with the 50mm.

Would it be advisable to change the fresnal screen to aid focusing low (no) light ?

Or, is it easy enough with the original screen ?

Depending on your access, you'll have no problems with focus if you switch to manual and set the focus to infinity, the 50mm lens will focus to about 1.5 feet so unless you get closer than that you'll be Ok.

I'm going to need a wide aperture though ( more light to the sensor ).

What about the dof ?

All depends on your set up, if the lens will go to f1.4, I'd not want to go lower than f2.8 or higher depending as you say the required DoF. Next you just need to play with ISO settings, Start at say 800 and go up till you can get to 1/60th of a second or higher depending on what you are shooting. Try and keep below ISO1600, test out before if you can and lastly invest in neat image or Noise Ninja

Alistair


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Thanks for that.....

I always intended to zone focus. I am hoping that most of the better venues I intend to shoot at have decent lighting. I was going to try and get away with ISO400 at f2.8 to start with. I'll see how it goes!

I've had a little play with noise ninja. It seems very good !

I'm on a sharp learning curve at the moment. So all advice is welcome and appreciated.