low light candid and concert lens

[jesshen]

Hello,

My number one priority is low light/ no flash candids of friends and family in homes, social/ church gatherings, maybe informal wedding, also music and concert events (have a daughter majoring in music). I like other types of photography too, but since this is my priority I have narrowed down to the Tamron 28-75 F.2.8 lens as being within my price range at present.

Will this lens do what I want it to do, namely low light candids and portraits? Will I get a sharp picture even if I am not able to use flash? I haven't had my Rebel XT for very long, still learning it; I do have a 420EX flash but for the pictures I want to do most they either don't allow flash or I often just prefer not to use flash, that's one of the biggest reasons why I upgraded to the XT from a Canon G2 so I could do low light stuff.

I have the kit lens and I don't mind it for outdoor shots, but I really struggle with it for low light shots. My only other lens is Canon 85 mm F 1.8, which comes in handy especially for the concert stuff, but it often is way too long for smaller situations ... sometimes there is not enough room for me to move far enough from my subject... or in a social gathering if I am far enough then someone walks between me and the subject. So I am hoping the Tamron 28-75 will be a good, low-light, sharp, versatile lens for me. I have read a lot on this forum about how reasonably good this lens is for the price, but I haven't seen comments or examples about how it performs in low light.

Thanks,
Jessica

[craigsinclair]

Consider the 50 f/1.4. Two stops faster than f/2.8 and a really, really fine lens. It, along with your 85mm f/1.8, should make a great team.

[blue_max]

Less is more.

The lower the f stop, the faster the lens, the more likely you are to get a shot in focus.

You can up the ISO, but it does introduce noise.

You have the 85, so you know what a prime can do. The 50mm 1.4 is a super fast lens with a pretty decent field of view. If you need wider, then there are 35mm versions, but they start to get very pricey.

If it is a case of getting the shot or missing out, then I would personally go as fast as is practical for sensible money. A zoom of 2.8 is good, but not great. You would do better for your money with primes.

It's always difficult to second guess the amount of light that is likely to be available and it may turn out that there is more than I am imagining, so you would be ok with 2.8 and a mid ISO.

You should test with your 85mm and see if it could shoot at a reasonable speed in your likely venues. Even that may be too slow.

Hope that helps your decision.

Graham

[bauerman]

Do you think that the 50mm F1.8 II would work? It's cheap to try......

I think that the Tamron you are talking about would be a great addition to your bag.

[cmM]

you need primes, as mentioned above.

Look at 50mm f/1.4 (or even the f/1.8), 85mm f/1.8, or if your budget permits, 85mm f/1.2, 135 f/2.0

[Steve Parr]

I use the 85mm 1.8, the 50mm 1.8, and the 28mm 1.8. All of these lenses work fine for me when shooting bands under stage lighting.

Now, that said, I'm going to move to the 50mm 1.4. I'm not going for it because of the lower f-stop, but I've been spoiled by USM, which the 50mm 1.8 lacks. As far as whether it's a fast enough lens for the environment, I say absolutely...

Steve

[jesshen]

Thank you very much guys... I really appreciate all the input. It looks like I will have to get used to changing and putting away lenses really quickly.

Which length is more useful for candids, 28 mm 1.8, or 50 mm 1.8 or 1.4 (leaning toward 1.4)? I am trying to figure out which I should get first if I get primes.

Thanks,

Jessica

[Jon]

Depends on how comfortable you feel about getting into peoples' face with the camera . . . Cartier-Bresson, Erwitt, Capa, Chim, many of the other great Magnum photogs used 50 mm on their Leicas, which would be about 30 on yours. But if you don't like walking right up to someone or a couple, you may feel more comfortable with something (relatively) longer. You might just want to start out with the 50 f/1.8 simply because it's cheap, and see if it feels right for your style.

[Atlasman]

I recently went to a venue and shot ambient light only——I used my 85 mm 1.8 and even then I had to "crank" up the ISO.

Joe

[jesshen]

Thanks again guys. This is very helpful! I think I will maybe go for a 50 mm first, trying to decide which.

Jessica

[drew420]

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 HSM

Sweet lens!