What lens for a concert?

aerobandit

aerobandit

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Piotr
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I'll be shooting a gig by the end of September and cannot decide what to take with my Canon 1D3. I'm thinking about Canon 28mm f/1.8, Canon 24mm f/1.4L or Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L(for more flexibility). I'll be moving pretty much all over the place and the venues are theatre like.
What would you recommend?
I'm leaning towards 24mm f/1.4, but would love to hear what people have to say.
 
I've done two gig shoots for a friends band recently. Both were a massive challenge for me personally as only just getting into this photography lark - but enjoyable none the less.

Both shoots were in pubs with a small stage and my 35mm f/1.8 wasn't really enough to get a tight individual shot (head & shoulders) of the band members so to me none of the lens you listed would have enough reach.

Obviously it depends on what sort of shots your after and what the venue is like. Have you been to the venue before?
 
Haven't been there. I've only seen the venue on the photos. I'd like to get the shots of the whole band as well as the individual. I'm now thinking about renting 24-70mm to go together with 24 f/1.4. I just don't like the idea of changing lenses and don't know if f/2.8 will be fast enough, even after increasing ISO.
 
sthwild said:
Haven't been there. I've only seen the venue on the photos. I'd like to get the shots of the whole band as well as the individual. I'm now thinking about renting 24-70mm to go together with 24 f/1.4. I just don't like the idea of changing lenses and don't know if f/2.8 will be fast enough, even after increasing ISO.
Click to expand...

I'd agree on f/2.8 as a minimum and if you say the venues are "theatre like" then it sounds like you'll need the reach of a 70-200 for sure.

I've managed to get some useable shots with a 70-300 f/4-5.6 at ISO 1600/3200 on my D3100 so you should do well with a f/2.8.
 
f2.8 is the standard, but on a cheaper body like mine, I've always gone with a prime 1.4
are you in the pit or will you need that 70-200?
if you were in the pit for a gig I would put the 28mm on your 7D for some reach and the 24mm on your 1.3x crop
if this is a classical gig, then lighting will be better of course, and you the musicians will be less rocking out! and more looking composed, so the 70-200 would give you some great close up portraits
 
DizMatt said:
f2.8 is the standard, but on a cheaper body like mine, I've always gone with a prime 1.4
are you in the pit or will you need that 70-200?
if you were in the pit for a gig I would put the 28mm on your 7D for some reach and the 24mm on your 1.3x crop
if this is a classical gig, then lighting will be better of course, and you the musicians will be less rocking out! and more looking composed, so the 70-200 would give you some great close up portraits
Click to expand...

Thanks Matt.
I'll be walking all over the place. That's why I'm going to use 24mm f/1.4. But 70-200mm was a great suggestion as I won't be getting that near to the performers to take portraits with 24mm:)
24mm on 1D3 and 70-200mm on 7D.
 
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