Band/gig/concert photography

[ben_hattingh]

Recently I have been trying to get into band/gig photography but my crappy standard lens for my 30D is just not

cutting it anymore.

 

I've been into all the shops I can find to ask about it but the people are usually so rude and unhelpful. So if anyone

can point me in the right direction I would really apreciate it and before you ask, money isn't an issue I'm willing to

spend as much as need for a fast lens. Oh, and I'm thinking about upgrading to a better camera body soon.

 

Thanks, Ben.

[scott_ferris]

Hi Ben,

 

Really depends on the shots you want. There was a fairly good discussion on this thread

 

http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Q4A5

 

Most favour short and wide angle but I don't. But fast glass is the one common thread, a good body with good AF is a real bonus too.

 

Take care, Scott.

[chrisjb]

To start with there are many threads covering this subject where you will find a lot of varied advice.(Sometimes the `Search` is awkward) The 30d is more than capably to do this sort of work. You give lil info on distance, flash or not, large venues small clubs etc, so no one can know what you want to do. There is a section on this site that covers the learning of concert shooting. Most will tell you to start with an ef50 f1.8 lens. This is not an easy photo subject and needs much patience and practise, HTH..just being realistic :)

[the photo messinger]

Hi Ben,

<br>

read first:

<br>

http://www.photo.net/learn/concerts/mirarchi/concer_i

<br>

http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00Ih6K

<br>

It would also be helpful to know what kind of venues we're talking about here. Are we talking...large theaters, small cafes...your friends' basements? And what kind of access will you have to the band while they are playing?

<br>

The short and sweet (*and very general) answer:

<br>

You want something that will shoot fast while very wide open like a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS.

[joseph_wisniewski]

OK, to clarify, "band" means a group of 2-6 musicians on a stage, probably singing or screaming folk, rock, or country, right? Not 150 concert musicians or 200 college students marching down an athletic field?

 

30D? I can't think of a better place to start than a 50mm f1.4. It's not that big an investment, and if you've got decent access, it's just the perfect length at 80mm equivalent. I do most of my small band (good access) stuff with an 85mm on full frame. Up glose, it grabs single performers dramatically. Back a bit, you'll get two in.

 

The next most useful thing is something about 28mm equivalent, for stepping back a bit to grab a whole band. Unfortunately, that's a weak point in the Canon line.

 

That's what makes me want to advise you to get either a used 5D (good deals out there) or a new 5D II. It's the axe for this kind of work. With the low light ability of those cameras, you can do more with an 85mm f1.8 on the 5D than you can with a 50mm f1.4 on the 30D, and you'll have a good range of wides (suggest a 28mm f1.8mm). Heck, even a 16-35mm f2.8 teamed with an 85mm f1.8 and a 5D or 5D II would probably be perfect.

 

Another fast lens, the 24mm f1.4 is a little long on the 30D to be a principle part of gig shooting, amazing on the 5D, and definitely more money than you need to spend to get this right.

 

The 35mm f1.4 is amazing on the 5D, but as a 56mm equivalent on the 30D, probably not quite as useful. Although it's a good for 2, 3, or 4 when you get back a bit. 35mm f2.0 would probably do you just as good, and is a whole lot cheaper. A Sigma 30mm f1.4 might be a good alternative, at 1/3 the price. It's purely an APS lens, the Canon 35mm f1.4 is something you can use if a 5D II is in your future (and if you're doing bands, something that can take video like a 5D II may well be in your future).

 

The 85mm f1.8 or 85mm f1.2 (you did say money not an issue) are great, but more useful on the 30D if you don't get good access. As would a 105mm be on a 5D.

 

Have fun. Watch out for flying stuff.

[alfonso_valdes]

I have used the EF 24-105 EF L IS. See

 

Shoot with available light, judicious flash (430EX), use high ISO (actually the noise adds to atmosphere in concert shots). Longer focal length lets you get in tight.

 

I have the 50 1.4, and it might be good in this lighting since it is fast. I think the prime focal length might be limiting, and changing lenses in the dark can be a challenge (I love the lens in studio settings).

[markonestudios]

Just last Friday, I shot a product launch event at a nightclub. I always believed that one had to use high ISOs for this type of work, but after doing plenty of research on the topic, I realised that this was not entirely true. Unless flash is prohibited, ISO 200 is plenty to get you well-exposed photos. You just need to work with your flash correctly. As for what you have eloquently descried as your "...crappy standard lens for (your) 30D" which lens is that? I shot with my 17-40 mostly, and at f/4 max aperture, it is by no means a 'fast' lens. So IMO technique is much more important than fast glass. I used my 50 f/1.8 only a handful of times :)

Check out some of these links for some tips:

<p>www.stylusfunk.com

<br>www.dilvie.com/2007/10/digital-photography-lecture-notes.html

<br>www.dilvie.com/2007/10/digital-photography-lesson-expose.html

<br>www.dilvie.com/2007/09/digital-photography-lesson-avoid.html

<br>

<p>Happy shooting :)

[markonestudios]

Here's a sample shot.<div></div>

[goulden]

I'm a music photographer and my most used canon lenes for music are:

 

canon 24-70mm f2.8

canon 70-200 f2.8

canon 10-22mm

canon 50mm f1.4

 

those four lenses cover from tiny dark venues to stadium gigs

 

a few other tips are at: www.aaaphotos.org/faq.htm on my website

[torin_olsen]

If you're thinking of upgrading to a new camera body and shoot any kind of classical/acoustic performances where

noise is frowned upon, look for a camera like the 50D that has a "silent shooting" mode. Not completely silent, but

more like a whisper than a "THUNK!"

<br>

<br>

Hard to go wrong with the 70-200 f/2.8 L IS as a performance photo lens. Nice range. Some of the aforementioned

primes work well too, but I love the zoom flexibility...

<br>

<br>

Some samples taken with 70-200 f/2.8 IS & 20D (before aquiring the 50D) =D:

<br>

<A

HREF="http://picasaweb.google.com/TorinOlsen/CityMusicClevelandFireAndIceDecember1116#51450847350565299

06/">Flutists</A>

<br>

<A HREF="http://picasaweb.google.com/TorinOlsen/Cellofourte#5128320567366374594/">Cello Rock @ club</A>

<br>

<A HREF="http://picasaweb.google.com/TorinOlsen/Cellofourte#5131270697557815106/">Double Bridge</A>

<br>

<A HREF="http://picasaweb.google.com/TorinOlsen/Creation08#5216587782253132290/">Cello & Flames</A>

<br>

<A HREF="http://picasaweb.google.com/TorinOlsen/Creation08#5216587639905194514/">Rocking Out</A>

[Ken Katz]

Jeff Spirer, a PN moderator, does this type of work and has written an article describing his workflow. He uses fast primes.

 

http://www.photo.net/learn/digital-photography-workflow/overview/event-photography/

[ben_hattingh]

Thanks to everyone for the advice and help.

 

Just to clarify on a few things. I am keen to take photos of local bands in Melbourne, most of the venues here have really bad lighting. However, if a big band that I really like, say, Sonic Youth or Nick Cave were to come I would love to shoot them too.

 

Thanks again.

[chrisjb]

Ben, venues all over are pretty much the same, been a while since in Melb mostly nrth side, croc, cramers and bruns clubs. not much room & crowded (tho may have changed.) I`m Sunshine cst and most of our venues similar. These days a 40d and tamron 17 50 does fine, when shooting on stage 15~30 is handy, occassionaly 50f1.4/1.8 nearly all is done with a smidgin of fill from 580ex2. Get to know management of venues and be aware some acta won`t let you shoot. Jimmy Barnes for instance if they have their own shooter. but most are good.( no reflrction on JB hes darn good too) big whites can often be a turn off. A few pics of this stuff on my web, I don`t inc album covers or stuff for adverts but some simple shots. :)

 

Good luck with it

[danielransom]

I build guitars and shoot bands. I have a 30D and use a Canon 17-55mm 2.8 EFS IS. Check out my page for results. Most are done without

flash.

[William Michael]

> I am keen to take photos of local bands in Melbourne . . .have really bad lighting <

 

Assuming you have reasonable access and mobility:

 

30D: With Flash: EF-S 17 to 55F2,8 IS and EF85F1.8

 

30D: Without Flash: EF35F1.4L, EF50F1.4 and EF85F1.8

 

No close access and with or without flash: EF50F1.4; EF85F1.8; EF135F2L

 

As money is no object, I suggest a second body, using both bodies especially if you are working without flash.

 

WW

[dan_vidal1]

If I can advise one thing off the bat, and that's buy L. Not necessarily for the sharpness, since lenses like the

EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS are on par with most L's in sharpness, but for the build quality. You will bang up your gear

pretty hard in a concert/nightclub situation. I went through a few cheap lenses, and then got the 17-55, but

ended up trading it in for the venerable 16-35 2.8 L. Though lacking a stabilizer, this is a great walkabout lens

for club/concert shooting. I ditched the 17-55 because it just wasn't robust enough for the environment. The

smoke, haze, and getting bumped about was too much for it and the stabilizer developed a fault 8 months into the

purchase.

<p>

I'd also recommend the 70-200 2.8 L IS for any big shows where you can't necessarily be on top of the performer.

</p>

<center><p>

<a href="http://forum.talknightlife.com/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=16905"><img

src="http://talknightlife.com/gallery2/item/16905" alt="012" /></a>

</p>

<p>

30D - 16-35 2.8 L f2.8 1/50s ISO 1600

</p>

<p>

<a href="http://forum.talknightlife.com/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=13099"><img

src="http://talknightlife.com/gallery2/item/13099" alt="030" /></a>

</p>

<p>

30D - 16-35 2.8 L f2.8 1/125 ISO 1600

</p>

<p>

<a href="http://forum.talknightlife.com/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=7137"><img

src="http://talknightlife.com/gallery2/item/7137" alt="078a" /></a></p>

<p>

30D - 70-200 2.8 L IS f2.8 1/125 ISO 800

</p>

</center>

<p>

You may balk at the initial cost, but what I do is I only actually own the 16-35 L, and rent everything else on a

per-gig basis. I don't shoot enough arena shows at the moment to justify the 70-200. But if I did, I'd buy it.

</p>

 

Hope this helps.