Advice needed: Choosing a zoom lens to shoot bands from an arena's pit

[Griffey]

Last questions. If I extend my budget to $650, would a used Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 work, or be too short range shooting from the pit?
Should I just get an 80-200 f/2.8 and 50 f/1.4 and be done with it?

 

[jrizal]

Going rate for that lens is $800 plus on eBay so you may have a hard time getting one given your budget. As for range, you must resort to cropping.