Lenses For Low Light

[SergioG]

My lenses lowest aperture is 3.5. I want a lens that is good for taking pictures of bands. Most of the time it's low light, despite all the lights on them.

I don't have a very large budget. It just so happens my favorite band is coming September 8th so I need something pretty fast.

My current camera is a Canon Rebel XTI if you want to help me picking a lens. So what specs should I be looking at if I want to photograph bands? If you have some actual suggestions that would be even better. Thanks in advance.

 

[droyz2000]

50mm 1.4 is a really nice lens for low light. Not too badly priced at right around $300. It also depends on how close you are going to be able to get to the stage. If you are real far away a 50mm might not cut it for you.

 

[Big Mike]

The 50mm F1.8 sounds like it would be perfect for you. It's the lowest priced Canon EF lens (less than $100)...and the F1.8 aperture will give you a much faster shutter speed than F3.5.

It's still not a miracle worker...if it's too dark, you may still have trouble. You may still need to crank up the ISO.

 

[SergioG]

I don't mind cranking up the ISO, I'm kinda used to it already (unfortunately). I'm not going to be THAT close, I will not have a press pass although I will try my hardest to get one. I'll be on the first row which isn't too far from the band, there will be just a gate between us as usual.

I could always crop though right?

Thanks for the suggestion, that's actually pretty cheap and I already have like $20 worth of credit on Amazon. ;D

EDIT: Do you think I'll need to use flash? I really don't want to. I don't want to blind the person who has changed my life (sounds cheesy but I really like this band!).

 

[Big Mike]

Just make sure you are allowed to bring that camera into the concert. Most venues (and most security guards) will see and SLR and thing 'professional' and won't let you in or won't let you shoot.

 

[usayit]

For stage performances, a lot of what makes them entertaining is the lighting. Flash will just destroy the whole effect. As they said... tight budget and low light=50mm f1.8. Best bang for the buck.

 

[SergioG]

Just make sure you are allowed to bring that camera into the concert. Most venues (and most security guards) will see and SLR and thing 'professional' and won't let you in or won't let you shoot.

Yeah I'm gonna try, and when I mean try I mean I'm going to call like crazy, and even ask my photography teacher if he could hook me up. xD I really want to do this.

It seems like a much more relaxed venue though. It's at the Hard Rock Hotel And Casino in Vegas, and it's in the pool area.