Hiring a lens - which one?

C

chriscross

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,652
Name
Chris
Edit My Images
Yes
I've been asked to shoot a full dress rehearsal at my wife's dance company's bi-annual dance show at the RNCM on Thursday and they have agreed to pay for a lens hire for me. I've already got a 70-300 f4-5.6 Tamron (newer VC version) and a 17-50 f2.8 sigma (again the newer version) and a canon 80d. In my head I want a decent fast lens to ensure I've got the ability to get a fast enough shutter to freeze the action. I will have stage-side access. I'm thinking a 70-200 f2.8 canon mk2 or a sigma 50-100 f1.8 art. Should I be asking myself any other questions when making this decision? I'm torn as I'd love the extra light from the 1.8 and he reach of the 70-200. What would you go for?
Cheers
 
Depends where you are going to be shooting from, how near are you going to be to the stage?
Can you use flash?
You might need to be wider rather than longer!
Can you recce the venue first or are you going in blind as it were
 
•


Definitively, most reasonably one of these…
  • one you would consider to purchase so to make sure
    it is the right one OR

  • one you don't have, can't afford but must use to fill an
    assignment.
 
troutfisher said:
Depends where you are going to be shooting from, how near are you going to be to the stage?
Can you use flash?
You might need to be wider rather than longer!
Can you recce the venue first or are you going in blind as it were
Click to expand...

I think I am allowed close - as in stage front/ side - it's the dress rehearsal so no audience and I'm told the dancers won't see me ( I guess due to lighting) no flash - my 17-50 will be my wide lens f2.8 should be enough fingers crossed. I've been to the venue 2 years ago in the audience - it's a professional auditorium with good stage lighting - I won't get chance for a recce though
 
Kodiak Qc said:
•


Definitively, most reasonably one of these…
  • one you would consider to purchase so to make sure
    it is the right one OR

  • one you don't have, can't afford but must use to fill an
    assignment.
Click to expand...

I won't be buying - it's a one off favour for friends - having said that I'd love a new lens ha ha
 
From what you have said the sigma 50-100.
Just one other thing check if the lights pulse if they are AC they could well pulse at 50/60Hz ( like sodium/Mercury vapour/Flourescent) if they do your exposure will change with the pulses ( read upon this before you go)
I did it once shooting under mercury vapour lights and wondered what was happening
 
You've already got a 17.50 2.8, so i'd go with 70-200 2.8. In an auditorium with no audience, it gives you the ability to move into the seating area if needed, yet you can still get in close from stage side. I know this lens will give you great results. In that situation, i'd be using one of those. The wide lens will most likely come in handy just to get a shot of everyone at the end bowing out.
 
troutfisher said:
From what you have said the sigma 50-100.
Just one other thing check if the lights pulse if they are AC they could well pulse at 50/60Hz ( like sodium/Mercury vapour/Flourescent) if they do your exposure will change with the pulses ( read upon this before you go)
I did it once shooting under mercury vapour lights and wondered what was happening
Click to expand...

If understand you correctly the 80d has got 'flicker detection' for that scenario and it will be turned on so shouldn't cause me an issue. Thanks for your input, much appreciated
 
Moey said:
You've already got a 17.50 2.8, so i'd go with 70-200 2.8. In an auditorium with no audience, it gives you the ability to move into the seating area if needed, yet you can still get in close from stage side. I know this lens will give you great results. In that situation, i'd be using one of those. The wide lens will most likely come in handy just to get a shot of everyone at the end bowing out.
Click to expand...

I am edging that way tbh - longer lens / versatility on moving about over wider apperture - let auto ISO do its thing on a manual setting!
 
In a full theatre, I used an 80-400 as i had to stand at the back... But yes, if it was me, in your situation, 70-200 2.8 would be the one i'd go for and keep the 17-50 to hand too. Good luck.
 
Ive ordered the 70-200 mk2. Fingers crossed I capture the images they are after!
 
I'd google the venue, see if you can see other photos taken of events there. It'll give you an idea of a) the lighting and b) what's possible to shoot from where.
Since it's a rehearsal, you can go anywhere and shoot from any angle, meaning you can get wide angles from the front of the stage and get shots of close up action.
The 70-200 is ideal as a tool for events. If you had the 50-100, it would only be a bit longer than your 17-50 and you'd probably find it too short at times.
 
chriscross said:
Ive ordered the 70-200 mk2. Fingers crossed I capture the images they are after!
Click to expand...

They will probably like close shots of facial expressions etc for the main, something the 70-200 will be the go to lens for. Just remember to get some wide shots too to give an overall shot of the stage and performers. It should be pretty chilled out and you will most likely be left to it. Enjoy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top