Lenses for Concert Photography

I've posted a short article on lenses for concert photography, detailing some of the most popular and reliable choices for live music photography. See the full feature here on www.ishootshows.com":

Choosing Lenses for Concert Photography

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Comments

robotgoboom says:

Thanks! Sharing your experience is always appreciated. I've read and reread all your articles. Very insightful and to the point. Keep up the great work!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Rubén Navarro [T.E.M.] says:

the only thing i'm pissed off from having the 17-55mm (yeah, its fucking awesome in concert photography, but you still need a good camera that can work with high levels of ISO... not like my old D80) is that before getting my new D300 i've been thinking about waiting a little bit more and buying the D700... but DX Vs. FX fucked me up.

Considering that the 17-55 is an expensive option and that the D700 is 2500€ (maybe the same in $ in US), you still can have an option of selling it but the closest focus range you have to make the right choice after selling those, is the 24-70 (super expensive) and the 14-24 (same). Getting any of those lenses, plus the camera, is a big economical effort.

I hope you can understand me, i've messed it up a little bit with my english skills... hahaha
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Thanks, RGB, I hope it was helpful! I'm writing a series of these posts, so expect to see more in the future.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Hey Rubén,

Thanks for your thoughts (I understand you perfectly, your English is great!). I was in a similar situation as you, as I had the Nikon 17-55, Tokina 12-24, and the D2x for my DX kit. The only important lens I regularly use from the old kit is the 70-200mm VR.

So, it basically meant starting over with a new "system" entirely with buying the D3 and two zooms. Ouch.

But about your comment on the 17-55, I agree – sometimes f/2.8 is just not fast enough, and clean ISO is quite necessary.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Mitchell Wojcik says:

im shooting warped tomorrow and i do have a question, im planning on taking a canon 20d and a 5d. i think with the 20d im going to use my 70-300 at 4-5.6 and on my 5d, im going to have 20-40m super wide @ 1.8 or a 50m at 1.8

Whats your opinion on shooting a show with 2 different cameras? im just trying to make sure i can switch fast enough between lenses and i feel this is the best way.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

oscarinn says:

great article todd,
since i have a new camera, now i have to start saving for a new lense, and its good to know all the options.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Mitchell: If I were going shoot a festival with two bodies, I would look for one tele option and then another with either a wide-angle or midrange zoom.

What is the "20-40m super wide" lens you mention? Do you mean a Sigma 20mm f/1.8?
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Thanks, Oscar! I take it from the EXIF on some of your recent shots that you picked up the D300? Congrats!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

jf photos says:

it's hard to find a great photographer willing to share their knowledge... for FREE! i have a tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and that's my all purpose lens on my D70 (man, D70 does seem old now, doesn't it?). i love the tamron for it's compact form, great price and of course f/2.8. i've used nikon's equivalent before and although the nikon performs better, it's about 2.5x more expensive and quite a bit heavier. there's no shame in using 3rd party stuff if it can give you good pics.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Ben CC says:

Nice one mate! - and yeah the 17-55 f/2.8 is just superb for gigs!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Thanks, guys! I'm happy to share what info I can, especially about something as basic as gear.

The ~17-55mm range is just about perfect for me on APS, as it's got everything in one, wide-angle to telephoto.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Mitchell Wojcik says:

sigma4less.com/Product.aspx?ProdID=1067

its actually that lense, i decided to go telephoto with the 20d, due to the fact that it isnt a full frame camera, which gave me a little more zoom which worked out great, and as for the 5d i went with the 20-40 which worked out great. i have a couple pics up right now from warped tour and i will have some more up in the next few days.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Ollie Millington says:

Another great post Todd. As far as the two bodies I agree totally. I use my d300 with a 24-70 and my D200 with my 70-200. Allways a bit annoying having to rely on straps around the neck but hey.... If you can afford two bodies it saves ALLOT of time and hassle from foreign ellements getting into the bodies. I saw a guy recently get half a pint of beer in his D3 ( well... his newspapers) becaue he was changing his lense in the pit with his back to the stage and over the barrier came a plastic pint glass (moral of the story if your changing in song, keep the gear safe!)....
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

'Wei' says:

Thanks for sharing! But why every concert I went to is photo-forbidden?!...
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Hi Wei, there are often photo restrictions on cameras at larger concerts, where only press photographers are allowed to shoot.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

'Wei' says:

啊，看来我没有机会在现场试验你的推荐了……
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Jôn says:

Thanks, Todd! Nice article. I noticed the 14-24 wasn't mentioned in there..I've seen some awesome shots from you with it. Is it just not practical enough for most situations?

@Wei_19 - 您将获得有一天.....
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Hey Jôn! This article was meant mostly as a sort of primer for those who are looking for general lenses that are suitable for concert photography.

I consider the 14-24mm a little more of an "exotic" concert lens, somewhat like a cousin to fisheye lenses, so have not included it in the article.

I would say that for most gigs, it's really much too wide (especially on a FF camera) for many gigs, and the price is also something I cannot recommend. Many of the lenses available for APS sensors are a little too slow for concert photography with the exception of the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

amy-wong.com says:

Hey, Todd!

I finally decided I should get a new lens for low-light shows, but having a bit of a hard time picking, so I was wondering if I could get some input.

I'm battling it out between the...
Wide Angle AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D
AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D
Wide Angle AF Nikkor 35mm f/2.0D
AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

Should I pick a Wide Angle over a Normal one? The 28mm over the 50mm? Or the F1.4 over the 2.8? See... I'm confused like that.

My friend suggested the 35mm one, but I was leaning towards the F1.4 one. What do you think?
Posted 5 weeks ago. ( permalink )

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

On a 1.5x crop camera, I think the new 35mm f/1.8 from Niko would be a good option:

www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Came ra-Lenses/21...

The new Nikon 50mm f/1.4 would be an option, too, but I personally find the 50mm focal length on DX to be a little awkward at times.
Posted 5 weeks ago. ( permalink )

amy-wong.com says:

Thanks, Todd!
=D
Posted 5 weeks ago. ( permalink )

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Lenses for Concert Photography

Comments

robotgoboom says:

Rubén Navarro [T.E.M.] says:

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Mitchell Wojcik says:

oscarinn says:

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

jf photos says:

Ben CC says:

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

Mitchell Wojcik says:

Ollie Millington says:

'Wei' says:

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

'Wei' says:

Jôn says:

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

amy-wong.com says:

Todd | ishootshows.com says:

amy-wong.com says:

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