Seeking Advice re Lens Choice for Gigs

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Guitarbloke

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Sean
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I'm currently torn between a choice of 3 lenses. I can only afford 1 of them really - possibly 2 at an absolute push - and therefore wondered what your thoughts were.

I have recently started taking pictures for bands in my local area. Because the venues tend to be mostly small bars and pubs, I'm generally fairly close to the stage area - often within 3 feet or so - although that still causes issues when trying to get a clear shot of the drummer..

I've got 2 lenses so far - the Canon 18-55mm kit lens, and a Canon 35mm f/2.

Although I do like it, the kit lens is rubbish for the dark stages and dim lighting of the bars these bands play in. Even with the stage lighting, it fails to really capture the details as well as I'd like. The 35mm is nicer picks up more detail and is my main lens for these shoots currently.

I should add that I'm using an EOS 20D so it's a cropped sensor

The 3 lenses I'm now considering are:
Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM
Canon 50mm f/1.8
Canon 85mm 1.8 USM

The 50mm f/1.8 is cheap as chips, but for the extra cash, I can get the much better built 50mm f/1.4 lens, with a wider aperture which is rather appealing. However, I'm left wondering - do I really need the 50mm if I have a 35mm already? Is it overkill for a beginner?

The 85mm I was thinking might be good for the close up shots - however I'm worried that given how close I usually get to the bands, will it be too much (especially with the crop sensor)?
Looking at the sample images for this lens online, the 85mm has a gorgeous bokeh effect, and the other lenses don't appear to have it to this extent.

Given my current status of 'newbie photographer', and the fact that I have a 35mm f/2, if YOU were in my shoes, what would your choice be?

Also, I would love to get a 70-200mm telephoto at some stage, but the ones I've seen (well, the ones that I can afford!) don't have IS, and since I don't have a tripod, I think I'd really suffer without IS. Do you think IS is really a deal breaker on a telephoto lens?

On the subject of tripods, from those of you who have tried music photography - is it worth getting one? I had assumed not since I'm usually on the move constantly trying to getting shots of all the band members, but I'm very open to suggestions.

Thanks all! :)
 
I'd be looking at getting a body which is better at high ISO, you could comfortably shoot at 1600 or even 3200 on a 650D/60D/7D and still get very usable shots, especially if you B&W them.
 
Hi there,

I have the Canon 70-200 F4L Non IS. I find it's a cracking lens even without the IS, faster shutter speed takes away the need for IS. If need be get yourself a monopod or tripod... But even Handheld faster shutter suffices.

A friend has recently asked me to cover some of his band gigs, I was considering going for the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM C (New 2013 Model) - has the zoom ranges and is also a fast lens.
 
Personally, on a crop, I would say the 35mm F2 and the 85mm F1.8 are a cracking combo.

With the 35mm you can get either full body shots or artist with guitar in the frame. Then switch to the 85mm for the drummer / mic portraits.

I never found the 50mm much fun on a crop in small places - although some folk get on splendid with it.

If you get the bug, you will end up buying a newer body that is not overly noisy at ISO3200 and possibly add a 17-50mm ish F2.8 zoom to the bag.
 
^^^ This - given your existing lens line up.
 
Thanks so much for the advice guys :)

I had been considering the 50mm f/1.4 purely based on the aperture for those low light shows - So you guys reckon think the 35mm f/2 will serve me better for this type of photography?
 
I bought a 35 f2, 50 f1.4 and an 85 f1.8 last year and I've used all 3 at gigs on a 5D3, 60D and a 7D. I've found the 35 and 85 are best on a crop body and the 50 and 85 best on FF. I've also got a Sigma 24-70 f2.8 HSM and I've used that on both bodies to good effect also.
 
I've been thinking bout gettin the sigma 24-70 2.8 as a walk around lens, at the mo my Nikon 50 1.4 is kind of glued on! But can be a bit restrictive when just out and about with the kids or what ever (and don't use the kit lens any more).
Do u guy think the 24-70 would make a good walk around as we'll as a good nite/gig lens?
 
I suppose it really depend on what type of shot your after.
I see so many gig shots that are no more than a portrait of a musician that could be anywhere. Yes there good to see but don't really convey any of the "live ness" of a gig but then again this also depends on the type of music.

I would work with the 35mm F2 and develop your technique, you will get some great shots with it. As for the Bokeh on the 85mm yes it might be wonderful for portraits with loads of light but that hardly ever happens with gigs but if you looking a 2 lenses then you could get it but I would be looking at a better body first.

Tripods for gigs are a no no as is flash at most bigger gigs. Local bands you can use flash and get some very nice results using 2nd curtain and a nice show shutter.

I shoot quite a few gigs ranging from small acoustic in pubs to festivals and most in between. There always different and have there own problems but its great to do. Try not to get too tied up in the kit but more in capturing and conveying the atmosphere of the performance, yes new kit will be needed in time but the old saying works here "all the gear no idea", I see both ends of the scale. People struggling with kit and missing shots and people with a single camera/lens getting all the good shots.

BTW, my camera bag in my profile shows the kit I use and its generally selected depending on the event.

But most of all enjoy it.
 
That's really great - thanks Simon! :)

If I wanted to take stills of my own band - outside of a gig environment - would the 85mm be a good choice?
 
I've managed some pretty decent shots at gigs using 100mm f2.8 macro lenses, both the L and the non-L version. Good for those fairly tight crops on a singer's face, but not for shots of the general stage.
 
Last time I was shooting a gig, I used 7D + 17-55 f/2.8IS and 1DIII + 70-200 f/2.8IS and I was very happy with the performance. I've heard opinions that f/2.8 is not enough for dark venues, but I didn't have any problems. Most of my shots were ISO 3200. To be honest, I found IS to be extremely helpful.

7D with 17-55





1DIII + 70-200 f/2.8 IS


 
Wow sthwild, those images look great!

I'm holding back on buying any new gear for a couple of weeks as I've got a birthday coming up and have dropped a few hints, so I'll see what comes of that! :)
 
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