Canon lens help for low light please...should i upgrade?

I am relatively new to photography and would describe myself as a enthusiastic amateur.

However, I have just been commissioned to shoot the National final of a amateur Poker League in the UK which, if I am successful, could lead to a ongoing contract and a lot of referral work. Obviously, I don't want to mess it up and as I am typing this I kinda already know the answer. A little advice would still be good though :-)

I have a 40D and I am not allowed to use any flash during the game play and I currently own a 1.8 50mm and a 2.8L 24-70mm both of which I have not owned long.

The venue is somewhat lit, not too bright and not too dark. I have been successful with the 1.8 50mm in similar conditions by increasing my ISO to 400 but would like to lower this if I can so my question is, is it worth me upgrading to the 1.4 50mm? just how much differance is this gonna make?

I cannot afford the 1.2 50mm at present. Any help would be appreciated as the shoot is only 3 weeks away.

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Permalink Reply by CameraClicker on March 25, 2009 at 7:16pm

To go from a 1.8 lens to a 1.4 lens will give a smaller depth of field requiring even more accurate focusing and will buy almost nothing in shutter speed. From f/2 to f/1.4 you gain an increment of shutter speed.

This link has a chart:
http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm#EXPOSURE%20FACTOR%20RELATIONS...

Poker doesn't strike me as very fast paced, so I agree with Alan, try to simulate the lighting and practice. Your f/2.8 zoom should be adequate and since the 40D has pretty low noise, bump the ISO if you need more speed.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen White on March 27, 2009 at 8:51am

Thank you Alan and CameraClicker...I'll get to the venue early and fire off some test shots with different ISO settings to see how fast I can get the shutter speed with the 2.8.