Low light shots with a Nikon D80?

Question

I have a Nikon D80 that I have been using to take photos of my kid's dance recitals. I am getting good shots but not great shots. I shoot in A mode and use either my 85mm lens or my 18-200 mm lens. I have a sb-800 flash. I have the iso set high which does cause noise and have shot with and without flash as the lights are sometimes very bright on the dancers...my question: What settings on my camera would work the best in low light situations such as recitals?? I am going nuts trying to get consistent with this! Any suggestions or tips concerning low light photography would be appreciated.

Another question: Does the D300 preform better in low light?

Thanks!

Answer 1

First, yes the D300 is an amazing camera and its performance using high ISO's is rather mind blowing.

That said, use your SB 800 with an ISO of no more that 400 or ...

turn off the flash and meter the lighting on the stage using your light meter and then set the exposure manually and leave it there for the whole shoot.  Of course you will have to adjust your ISO to shoot at a shutter speed that will "stop" the action of the performers (VR can only reduce camera movement) and shoot at the peak of action.