concert lens

[pregnantcowlady]

in your opinion which would be the best lens for concerts?

tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 or something like a 28 or 30 f/1.4?

i need it to be fast, but the reason i want the 17-50 would be the versatility.

i need the lens to also be wider and more easily used if i am 2 feet away from the stage.


considering which one to buy.
thanks for your help!

 

[Big Mike]

The difference from F2.8 to F1.4 is two stops...so if your shutter speed with the F2.8 lens is 1/30...you could get 1/125 with an F1.4 lens. That would make a big difference when shooting a moving subject in a dark concert.

That being said, you might find yourself rather limited with 28 or 30mm compared to the filed of view at 17mm.

 

[John_Olexa]

Given those 2 choise's I would go with the tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 because of the 50mm.

I work a lot of concerts from the foot of the stage And I use a 70mm !!2.8 lens 70 -200 zoom to be exact.

 

[pregnantcowlady]

well i already have a nifty 50.
do you have any pictures of the concerts you've shot with the 70, john?

 

[AlexParlett]

Depends on the venue, and how the pit is placed.

Usually have 20-40 f2.8 or a 30/50mm f1.8 and a 70-200 f2.8 or a 50-150 f2.8
Mounted on seperate bodies, so i dont have to swap.

Out of those two, the 17-50mm is better for versatility. SS shouldnt be a problem, with f2.8, just be mindful of the lighting, you might want to carry the 30 1.4 with you just incase tbh.

 

[pregnantcowlady]

so would it be wise to just take the 50 and buy a 70-200mm 2.8?

i want to get one anyways.

 

[John_Olexa]

Well thats's up to you. A Sigma 70- 200 is about $800.00. But you sure can't go wrong with it. It's my work horse lens.
The reason I said to ues the 50 was it will bring the artist just that much closer to you. You can make up for the lost stop by bumping up the ISO.
Heres 3 images I compressed then down in size to not take up a lot of room.

all images copyright John Olexa

Lee Ann Walmack

Travis Tritt

Willie ( no last name needed)