Getting a DSLR for pictures in dark environments!!!

[ryantyler]

I need to take pictures and videos of shows in dark environments, often in nightclubs. Whatever snaps I take with phones are lackluster and I want something better. But my budget is limited to around $200.

My needs are:

1. Take pictures in darkish environments and retain decent contrast and sharpness even if there is some movement involved. Movement are generally slow, 1/60s should be fine.

2. Take videos in the same darkish and get something usable. I'd set up the camera 3-10m from the subjects, the distance remains the same throughout, so focussing should not be a mayor problem.

Locally I've seen a EOS 500D with the 18-55mm objective, which fits the $200 budget. Is that something useful for me needs or will I find it lacking immediately ? This is a 10 year old camera, will a newer, similar camera be much better ? (but cost $1000)

[Ray-uk]

It would be better if you asked this in the EOS Rebel forum.  [We moved it!]

[kvbarkley]

You get what you pay for. The T1i goes to an ISO of 12800 with 15 megapixels. My T6S goes to an ISO of 25600 at 24 Megapixels.

But the first thing you will notice is the lens, the kit lens you mentioned is fairly slow. Assuming the 55 mm is OK, the cheapest you can get away with is the 50mm/f1.8 prime. A good lens at least a stop faster than the 18-55.

[Waddizzle]

The 500D captures HD Video at only 20 FPS.

[John_]

Canon has the T7i for sale right now for $449 with one lens and free shipping. It is a refurbished model but comes with a 1-year warranty from Canon

[ebiggs1]

"Take pictures in darkish environments and retain decent contrast and sharpness even if there is some movement involved"

You need to realize all photographic gear has its limits.  It may not be possible to get super looking shots in certain environments.  Cameras need light. That is what they do. They record light not dark. A tiny budget, which was indicated, is also going to work against you.  You need fast gear and fast is usually expensive.

[TCampbell]

There are a few techniques for shooting candids in dark environments.  

It's possible to use a flash ... but usually using an external flash (not the built-in flash).  But this done in conjuction with a moderately wide aperture and an exposure time long enough to capture some background light.

Basically .. it's just bit of learning. 

It does help to own a lens with a low focal ratio (they gather more of the available light) ... those lenses will be noticeably more expensive.

Canon cameras have a setting for shutter speed when using Av mode with a speedlight enabled.  I set that mode so the shutter can operate no slower than 1/60th sec, but use a wide aperture.  The flash "freezes" my intended subject, but the 1/60th exposure time continues to let the camera collect more ambient light, and the low-focal ratio on the lens means it will be able to collect more of that light.  The result is a really pleasantly balanced image.

The EOS camera bodies have a lot of capabilities, but they really just do what you tell them to do.  So the trick is knowing what to tell the camera to do.