Do I need to think about a new lens for concert photos?

[christopheroquist]

I'm an amateur/hobbyist fairly new to SLR photography, but practicing and

learning a lot in an attempt to increase my skills. I am considering getting

into live concert photography as a side-project thing (I work full time), and I

think I'm in a pretty good position to leverage some of the independent band

market in my area to at least make some extra money and partially support my new

hobby.

 

I've already found a very helpful wealth of information and advice on shooting

bands in live situations (ISO speeds, proper "behavior," technique), so I don't

want to make people repost information that's already available. However, I have

some equipment questions. I don't have a lot (or even a few hundred dollars) to

spend because I just purchased an UWA Sigma lens to use in upcoming trips to

China and Florence. Here is what I currently own:

 

Digital Rebel XTi body

 

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

 

None of these lenses, clearly, are "fast." My question is whether they will

present a substantial osbtacle in trying to get good photos in darker/live

concert settings? Can I make it work using these lenses, or do I need something

like the Canon 50mm prime f/1.8, which is fortunately pretty inexpensive and I

can probably afford.

 

Also, what does everyone think about effects filters like start filters for

these applicatons? A photographer took the attached picture of me playing with

my own band using a star filter, which I thought came out pretty cool. I can see

why some photographers think the effect is tacky or unneccessary, given that you

can reproduce it in Photoshop, but I think a lot of bands are impressed by it if

it is used well. Seeing as B+H, Hoya, and Tiffen make really inexpensive star

filters, I was thinking of getting one. Thoughts?

 

I'm happy to have been turned onto this site - look forward to your replies!

 

Thanks,

 

Chris<div></div>

[andrew_gale]

Get the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4

It will be around 80mm on your camera and very fast. It will save you a lot of grain removal, since you can really turn down the ISO. They are also a lot cheaper than other lenses and always sharper.

[jim malone]

You ALWAYS need a new lens! Doesn't matter how many or what kinds of lenses you have, you always need a new one - just ask anyone who has more than 1 lens.

 

Personally, I'm waiting for the autofocus, autocomposing, autopost processing 5 - 600 mm f0,8 for under $300 for my Nikon D500.

[Spearhead]

Although every venue has different lighting, it's unlikely that you can get decent shots without picking up either good flash and/or faster lenses. I usually shoot with a 35/2 and 50/1.4 and even at high ISO, get just enough shutter speed. Recently, I've been working a lot more with bounce flash, often from a side wall because the clubs I shoot in have black ceilings, or very high ceilings.

[sattler123]

Depending on how close you can get to the stage, either the 50mm f/1.8 or the 85mm f/1.8. The 85mm is clearly the better lens, but it also costs much more, but is probably one of the best values in Canon lenses. You gotta see it to believe it what this lens can do.

[todd peach seattle, washi]

If you're cost-conscious, do the 50/1.8, lose the filter. In concert photography, it starts with lens speed, and from there it's what focal length you need and how good is the flare control.

 

I agree that the filter has a 'look' that excites some viewers. It has for at least 30 years, when I started with Ektachrome 160T pushed two stops to 400 (grain like rice....) With digital workflow, it just makes sense to start with clean high contrast flare-free images, and add the crap in post if you think the image will truly look better with it.

[lookupinwonder]

For the last 7 years or so I have been doing a lot of concert photography. Mostly as a hobby, but quite a lot has made it to publications.

 

Speed is what you need. For smaller venues you can work well with a 50mm f1.8, IF you are willing to get close to the stage. 1.4 is possible, but DOF will be very shallow and that half stop is not worth the huge price difference IMHO.

 

For bigger venues and outdoors a 70/80-200 f2.8 is a must. After a few shoots you will want IS as well. Unfortunately a lens with those specs is horribly expensive.

 

I currently use a Nikon D200 with the 35mm f2, the 50mm f1.4, the 85mm f1.8 and a Tokina 80-200 f2.8. If I was still doing a lot of concerts, the Nikon 70-200 VR would be my next lens.

[christopher hartt dallas]

Many bands/concert promoters only allow flash during the first tune, or first three (at most), so you're limited to having fast lenses, high ISO. Buy the 50mm 1.4 and if you want to improve even further, think about a 1D3 with superior low light and noise performance.

[christopheroquist]

Thanks for the responses guys - great info. The 50mm 1.8 does seem like the best choice right now, especially given it's <$90 price. I guess my only concern is that my Rebel will make it an 80mm lens, and the 50mm focal length was really attractive to me for other applications as well. I think I might head down to an actual store to try it out.

 

I was surprised that the 35mm f2.0 was so much more expensive.. I would have picked that one up.

 

Chris

[milan_boonstra]

Hi there,

I have been shooting concerts as well and i have always used the 50mm 1.8 as well

on my rebel XTi and I think it is a really good lens for this purpose.

 

Although it does really depend how close you can get to the stage. If you are always

really far away from the stage you might need a longer lens but I think it would be

wise to use a 1.8 or a 2.0 lens.

 

One more thing; I think you shouldn't use a ISO higher than 400 because there is

too much noise with the XTi, but that's just me, because a lot of people like the

extra grain when they shoot concerts. Anyway, good luck!

 

Milan

[my photography blog]

Get the 85mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.8 for wider view.

[amy_bourget]

<p>i've been taking pictures of local bands for over 2 years and i just got a new camera last august nikon d300 and an 18-200 lens<br>

i love it but i always use flash, i went to a show the other day and couldn't use flash and i was so pissed because my close up pics came out blurry<br>

the other photographer there told me about the 50mm 1.8 i'm thinking about going to check it out today because i'm going back to the same venue in a couple days and i'm not gonna be home<br>

the star filter is amazing but only if the bands aren't moving around that much it's hard to focus<br>

my favorite venue for the star filter is the space in hamden, ct <br>

they have lights on their ceiling too so it comes out amazing<br>

<img src="http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/jj150/snowgurl87/?action=view&current=DSC_2223copy.jpg" alt="" /><br>

i was also wondering how good the 50mm 1.8 would be, if anyone has any opinions please let me know<br>

superfanphotography@yahoo.com<br>

thanks:-)<br>

~AMY~...Superfan Photography</p>