Gig Photography
- Thread starter laulon
- Start date
- Messages
- 43,206
- Name
- Alan
- Edit My Images
- No
Well, if light levels are low you may need a wide aperture and if your subject is pretty still IS may help too. Focal length will depend upon the camera, the camera to subject distance and what you'll need to get the framing you want.
It'll probably be a good idea to think about image output size and format too.
Years ago I shot live music gigs with an f4 lens and ISO 1600 film and only produced uncropped and quite small prints and as my prints were quite small (normal for the day...) no one ever complained about noise or motion blur but these days even home prints can be bigger and people pixel peep on screen and motion blur and noise may be noticed. But on the plus side we have noise reduction software these days
What camera you're using will probably influence your lens choice too. For example, if shooting a gig these days I'd probably use a 50mm f1.4 and/or 85mm f2 (because that's what I have) on my full frame A7 or a 20mm f1.7 or 45mm f1.8 on my MFT G1. If shooting with available light I'd probably be using wide apertures a lot but if using flash I'd probably be hovering around f4 but not a lot smaller.
Generally... need... more... info...
It'll probably be a good idea to think about image output size and format too.
Years ago I shot live music gigs with an f4 lens and ISO 1600 film and only produced uncropped and quite small prints and as my prints were quite small (normal for the day...) no one ever complained about noise or motion blur but these days even home prints can be bigger and people pixel peep on screen and motion blur and noise may be noticed. But on the plus side we have noise reduction software these days
What camera you're using will probably influence your lens choice too. For example, if shooting a gig these days I'd probably use a 50mm f1.4 and/or 85mm f2 (because that's what I have) on my full frame A7 or a 20mm f1.7 or 45mm f1.8 on my MFT G1. If shooting with available light I'd probably be using wide apertures a lot but if using flash I'd probably be hovering around f4 but not a lot smaller.
Generally... need... more... info...
Last edited:
Phil Young
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 6,584
- Name
- Phil
- Edit My Images
- Yes
The sigma 18-35/1.8 would be perfect.
On one hand you need wide aperture since light usually is quite low (usually primes). On the other hand, you need the flexibility of a zoom since you are normally stationary.
For me, the sigma is a no brainer if you can afford it.
On one hand you need wide aperture since light usually is quite low (usually primes). On the other hand, you need the flexibility of a zoom since you are normally stationary.
For me, the sigma is a no brainer if you can afford it.
Mr Perceptive
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 9,347
- Name
- David
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I posted this thread which may help http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/canon-solution-for-gig-photography.533255/#post-6150454
and then there is this one as well http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/concert-photography.534875/
and then there is this one as well http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/concert-photography.534875/
Cheese Scientist
Suspended / Banned
- Messages
- 584
- Name
- Amanda
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I've just gone for the Nikkor 70-200mm VRII f2.8 for this very purpose. Will also have the 50mm 1.4 on me in case of getting back stage.