Concert photographer needs help with additional lens choice

<p>I have been shooting concerts for quite some time know.<br>

Mostly using<br />100mm 2.0<br />50mm 1.8<br />30mm 1.4<br>

My problem is that I shoot a lot of gigs in small venues. Sometimes there is not a lot of room to move around. Changing lenses is quite a challenge then. So I was thinking about buying a zoom lens. Problem is that I need a very fast lens. Lighting is often very bad. I was thinking about the 24-70mm 2.8L (Focal lenght of the 24-70 should work well in these small venues) but I was wondering if the speed will suffice. Does anyone use this one for these purposes? Any other recommendations maybe?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>What camera are you using?</p>

<p>If you're shooting in a dark club without flash, 2.8 can be very difficult. With a 1.6x, I use 20 (at the stage), 35 (back slightly), and 50 (usually from a chair on the side and back.) With a 1.3x, I use 35/50/85. Unless there's a balcony, I don't take anything longer, but I almost always work at or on the stage. This was taken with a 35 on 1.3 body at the stage:<p><center><img src="http://www.spirer.com/zoopyjan162009/slides/357P5442.jpg"><br><i>Zoopy, Copyright 2009 Jeff Spirer</i></center><p>Sounds to me like you could use a wider lens if you really need it, otherwise stick with the ones you have. FWIW, I usually change lenses either at the bar or at the edge of the stage. I carry a small flashlight, which can help with the change.

<p>Bart,<br>

I learned how to shoot in tiny, tiny dive clubs. I learned with a 28-70mm zoom lens. But got SO much better at shooting when I could afford to buy a 50mm f/1.7 and a 28mm f/2. I got very proficient very quickly at swaping lenses at the front of the stage. It's easier than you think! If you can minimize your gear for the tight quaters, stick with what you have and be unafraid to swap lenses at the front of the stage. I keep my camera bag straped around me diagonally so my bag rides in front of my body and I can get lenses in and out quickly, with no damage.<br>

/Stefan</p>

<p>I am currently using a 40D and even with 1.6 my 100mm is by far my favorite lens. I do quite a few singer songwriters and this lens is great for that. Facial expressions are my thing :) For wider shots my 30mm suffices.<br /> I shoot concerts for a renowned online music magazin here pretty much every week (none of us gets paid by the way and that's fine) and most of the time my primes are fine, changing lenses is fine. I usually go to venues with a capacity of between 300 and 1500 people. Some venues are tougher than others though and at times I find myself wishing I had a good zoom. But my problem is - like mentioned here - I cannot use a flash and I am afraid 2.8 will not do most of the time.</p>

<p>While not really fast, both the EF 20mm f/2.8 or Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 wide angle lenses are really useful when shooting very close to the stage (with an APS-C camera). In burst mode I can get sharp images at ridiculously slow shutter speeds when them.</p>

<p>Is there a zoom lens faster than f/2.8 for the Canon EOS?</p>

<p>I was going to suggest the 70-200 f/2.8 IS until you said f/2.8 wasn't cutting it. Remember that with IS you can use slower shutter speeds...</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

<p><Chas><br /></p>

<p>nope no lens faster than 2.8 but I was hoping some people would be able to reassure me that this lens will do fine as a concert lens :) IS would be a big help though!</p>

<p>Hello Bart:</p>

<p>If you are located in the USA, there are many outlets that rent lenses.</p>

<p>I have rented from these folks several times and they are a very good company to work with (the link takes you to the page on which the 24-70 is listed):</p>

<p>http://www.lensrentals.com/category/normal/for-canon</p>

<p>Cheers! Jay</p>

<p>Thanks Jay, I am in Europe but it's a good idea. I actually though about doing that earlier today. I can rent one for 25 euro a day. Think I will just do that: rent one, pick a challenging concert in terms of lighting and fire away</p>

<p>In small, dark venues especially I've found f/2.8 lenses to still be a bit hard to use, unless the stage lighting is better than average. On your 40D, I think the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS would probably be a better choice since you'd at least get image stabilization out of it. Of course, that doesn't help if the musicians are moving around on stage a lot. I would stick to fast primes, or if you really, really want a zoom, you could always switch to Olympus' system and go for their 14-35mm (28-70 equivalent) f/2 zoom...It's a full stop faster than zooms with any other manufacturer, but it's going to be a pricey decision.</p>

<p>In addition to my previous post, I thought I should mention that going for a full-frame camera might also be a good option for you. You can shoot higher quality photos at higher ISO settings and it also gives you a wider field of view with each of your lenses.</p>

<p>Thanks William. At the moment that is a bit of a dilemma indeed. Saving up for a 5D or buying an L zoom lens.</p>

<p>Maybe I should start using lens pouches to wear from my belt, that way I don't have to use my lowepro slingshot (which is a great bag) in the crowd and lens changes will be easier. That should limit frustrations. I suppose lowe has these pouches? Any to recommend?</p>

<p>If it is the lens changes that bother you, why not get a second body instead of a new lens? That way, at least your two most used lenses will always be mounted and ready to shoot.</p>

<p>You can swap bodies (with lenses mounted) in and out of a decent belt pack pretty quickly.</p>

<p>This brand is pretty decent (belt packs). Are they available in Europe?</p>

<p>http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ttp_products.html</p>

<p>The added bonus of a spare body should not be overlooked either.</p>

<p>Cheers! Jay</p>

<p>Thanks Jay!<br>

I bought two Think Tank Lens Changers (yes they are available) and postponed my decision about a new lens. First I will rent one. Thanks a lot for all your input.</p>

Changing lenses is trivial with a bit of practice. Really, just stand in your living room and practice 'til it's automatic. If the

show's rough wait for the end of a song.

<br><br>

I wear cargo shorts a couple of sizes too big, and stuff lenses in the pockets. A hair tight for my 135/2, but great for my 24/

1.4, 50/1.4 and 19/2.8. Very easy access without anything getting in the way.

<br><br>

Small clubs 2.8 mostly doesn't cut it without flash.

<br><br>

Fast and wide is the real reason you want FF, 90% of my non-flash shots in small clubs are with my 24/1.4. But there's

nothing remotely similar for crop sensors. Maybe the 20/1.8 if you're willing to play Sigma roulette, but even that's not terribly

wide on a crop camera.