Nikon (compatible) Lens for Concerts

[Fazi27]

Hi guys.

I've been to Jamiroquai concert yesterday and have seen few photographers with their awesome gear... As i would really like to get into that kind of photography, i was wondering what's the best "budget" lens to get, and start to climb my way up. I probably will not be able to shoot JK in nearest future, but would like to start with local gigs, etc. I have nikon D5000 at the moment (probably will be replaced with d300 or maybe d700 replacement in the nearest future) with 18-55mm, nifty-fifty, 28mm d, and sigma 70-300mm. I know that 50mm is a good start but it's a bit of hustle with manual focus on d5000, same with 28mm.

Any sugestions?

Thanks,

Mario

 

[TCR4x4]

You need light, so anything below f/2.8 really. On a crop something between 17-70mm is good. I used a 24-70 mainly but wider would have been usefull on occasion.

The main isssue is getting a pass to shoot these sorts of things. You cant just walk in with a DSLR and go into the press pit. You need to start really small and work your way up.
I started doing grotty little pubs with noname kids bands for free. I managed through luck to get a press pass for a local festival and got friendly with one of the bands who happed to be a very big name metal band in Europe. From then on I went on tour with them around Europe for 2 weeks fully paid plus expenses and wages.
That was pure luck and most dont get that break. You need hard work and dedication for little money. You'll be working the local scene for maybe a few years before you can build up a portfolio to get into a magazine and get a press pass, or get lucky with a venue as the in house photographer.
Either way, you need to put the work in, it wont come to you.

Oh and buy some earplugs...

 

[mishu]

Hi Mariusz,
For this kind of work don't replace your D5000 with D300... you better look for a camera with a superior approach at low light. A D700 or a D7000 is a much better option... or the newer D5100 but this one does not have AF motor, being similar with D5000 at this point.

Regarding lenses for D5000 you can start with Nikkor 35/1.8 DX or with Sigma 30/1.4. Then a 50/1.4 AF-S from Nikon or Sigma could be very helpful. If you move to a better camera you can use affordable lenses like 50/1.8 or 85/1.8. For concerts I use a D700 and several primes, in general stopped down at f2... but sometimes I go wide open at f1.4 if necessary.

Last but not least... a superior camera will let you use MF lenses... I love to use in concerts my old Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 AI-S... stopped down at f2 it has a wonderful character... D700 let me have a very precise focus with it...

 

[Jiffy]

I would upgrade to a d300 if its poss and pick up a sigma 70-200 2.8, very affordable next to the nikon version and performs exantly, will work great in concerts with its fast apature

 

[Fazi27]

That was pure luck and most dont get that break. You need hard work and dedication for little money. You'll be working the local scene for maybe a few years before you can build up a portfolio to get into a magazine and get a press pass, or get lucky with a venue as the in house photographer.
Either way, you need to put the work in, it wont come to you.

A friend of mine is working as a Manager in one of the places in Leicester that organizes music venues, so hopefully i could get in each week and work as in-house photographer, even for free. i'm not counting on getting revenues straight away, but that's probably the best way to start.

Thanks for all your advises regarding gear, i will start looking for fast lens then, and hopefully will be able to upgrade my camera soon.

 

[wilko]

I was at the Jamiroquai gig at the O2 arena london, and right at the front of the crowd. It looked as though the photographers used there were using Canon 1 series bodies with a 70-200 f2.8 is lens from what i could see for most of the work. Have to say, the night was amazing.

 

[Fazi27]

I was at the Jamiroquai gig at the O2 arena london, and right at the front of the crowd. It looked as though the photographers used there were using Canon 1 series bodies with a 70-200 f2.8 is lens from what i could see for most of the work. Have to say, the night was amazing.

It was same in Manchester - the gig was just brilliant! I waited (literally) all my life for this, and finally!

 

[TCR4x4]

In a big arena a 70-200 will be ok, but at the smaller venues, in the the pit it'll be too long. I used to take mine just in case, but the only time I ever used it was from the side or behind the stage shooting out. Never used it in the pit and dont recall seeing any being used either.