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Anshuman

The PowerShot SX40 looks really promising to me. Do you think it is capable of capturing as good low-light images as that of a DSLR (550D/D5100)? How is the image quality when all the optical zoom is used up, i.e. 35x? I am referring to say, birds or moon photography.

The D90 body-only will cost more than 30K. Canon 1100D or a Nikon D3100 is a good bet.

Never used it, so no Idea. I have used a similar Sony camera. A prosumer camera is easier to use and has more predictable results for someone who does not have patience/time/interest to learn using DSLR. Plus it comes with zoom capability, not everyone wants to spend extra/ wants to carry extra lenses with DSLR.

If I am in your place, I would get Nikon D3100 and Nikon 70-300 VRII, thats all I would take with me for shooting images. Stage performances are well lit, (in fact professionally lit) so the above combination can rock. The kit lens can do all your other duties.

For video, get a decent HD cam from Sony, Canon or any such brand with good reviews.

If you want to do both in one, I cant find anything lower than Canon 7D.

I would also advise a separate system for video and still. Get a decent video which has HD capability.

What ever camera you use, you will require additional lights, unless you want to spend a fortune on very fast lenses. Please consult your wife on how much lights she can bear comfortably. Normally extra lights are not much of a problem in dance recitals (unlike plays and other functions).

In case extra lighting is approved by your wife, invest in at least one pair of professional grade lights of sufficient intensity and colour temperature.

You will also need a good sturdy tripod to mount your video and DSLR, else low (relatively) lights and camera shakes will mar the shots.

Hello guys,

Thanks to all who have responded to my query. I wish to clarify certain things here.

1) My wife is not a professional dancer who will be on the stage very frequently. So, investing in a very expensive setup is out of question.
Maybe as Shajufx has advised, i may be able to stretch upto Nikon D3100 with kit lens + VRII.

2) Regarding lights- as pointed out correctly, the stage will be a well lit area and we cannot ask for extra lights unless specifically requested by the dance choreographer.

I have got lot of things to ponder and maybe i need to align and stretch my budget a little bit.

Also, i need to know how good the 'used' equipment will be and from where these can be procured.

Thanks for your advice and suggestions gentlemen.

Congrats master on your new set of equipment. If you need a person for assisting you by carrying lights and stuff, you know whom to contact. I will be waiting for that call.

I can see you want to shoot form a distance and want a long zoom, but it's going to be difficult, one because of lower aperture and slow speed you get at that range, and second the shake you will get at that range.

If you are ready to experiment, try getting a tripod and a remote release setup as close to the stage as possible. you can also try getting those motorized astronomical telescope mounts or do a DIY with a servo motor to adjust direction with a remote (hint, buy a chinese remote controlled car and use it's control circuit+motor). I have seen zoom controls on canon DSLR remotes, not sure what kinds of lenses they work with.

Exactly what I meant, majority of the professional shows do not allow extra lights that would spoil the lighting set on stage and an insult to the audience who have paid for their time. Performer also gets badly affected if someone is using a high power flash. You will get plenty of used stuff through BPC and JJMehta site, just register there and keep checking the buy & sell sections.

You are returning my question now ! I am yet to get a contract with 'Metalica' or renowned international performers of India as you do ! Trying to convince some of the uncles and aunties around me to get married a second time, so I get a start :D

"No man can ever love you.....like I do....." You got my point !

Ajay, the low light IQ of SX40 cannot be compared to the DSLRs. The sensor size plays a very important role in this. For that matter any of the compacts,2/3 sensors or even the Micro four thirds would not yet match the IQ of the DSLRs. The MFTs seem to be pretty close though.
From what I have heard the SX40 does a very good job across the zoom and its IS is supposedly very good.
Sony and Panasonic seem to have an edge when it comes to Video. I'd go with Canon over Nikon for Video though.

Thanks !!! But the above sounds a very expensive proposition and also very pro.

I am yet to lay my hands on a DSLR and the above will just whizz over my head..:D

If you want to shoot good quality videos of dance performances, I will advice against a DSLR with HD video capability - mainly because most of them does have a time limit up to which it is recommended to record continuously. Moreover, they may struggle to acquire proper focus on the moving person because AF while you record can be suboptimal.

I'd say get a decent handy-cam for your video shooting needs.

Panasonic GH series do Video just fine, and offer very good AF while video shooting. This AF problem in video is more so for traditional canon/nikon DSLRS where video is not built into design, but a jugaad to stay with the competition

Why am I getting vignetting?

Image details-

Aperture- f/5.6
Shutter- 1/800s
Focal length-98mm
EV- -0.3
ISO-200

D90 with 18-105, used the lens hood.

Nearly all lenses have some level of vignetting.

This should answer your question - check the light fall off @ F5.6 and 100mm which is close to the focal length that you are shooting at.

Nikon 18-105mm VR

Get rid of vignetting by PPing the file in PS5 or LR3, DXO Optics or similar tools.