concert photography

[tiobob]

i'm sure this question has been asked before, but what are good lenses for concert photography? i currently use a 400d/xti.(i would love a 5d but it is not in my budget at the moment,and would rather buy lenses now, and upgrade cameras down the road) i already have a 50mm/1.8 lens. i'ts good and cheap. but what other options do i have that are good for low lighting and have more range.what do other people use?

[gravy graffix]

85 1.2 :)

does the 50mm work for you as far as range?

[tiobob]

it' works well if i'm at a good distance from the stage and can stay there.being that it's a prime, plus taking the crop factor of my camera into consideration it's more like an 80-85mm. i suppose i'm looking into a fast zoom lens.

[mrrookie]

70-200 F/2.8 L, maybe?, oooor, 80 f/1.8 ?, i've hard that the nifty can be slow while focusing.

I wouldnt recommend you to pay a lot of attention to this comment since i've just been doing research, havent bought the gear just yet :(

[_aravena]

I use my 70-200. No way around it and whiel I plan on picking up the 85 F1.8, at big venues, which I'm normally at, not these small house places, 85 wouldn't touch where the 70-200 can go.

[Riff Raff]

Usual suspects for low-light action:

17-55mm EF-S f/2.8 IS
24-70mm f/2.8L
70-200mm f/2.8L (with or without IS)
50mm f/1.4
85mm f/1.8
135mm f/2.0L

Depends on how far away you are as always.

[René Damkot]

Performing Arts FAQ (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=226809) might provide a nice read...

On lenses: I use the following on my 1D2:
Sigma 20/1.8 (not wide enough on a 400D IMO)
EF 28/1.8
EF 50/1.4
EF 100/2.0 (a bit long on a 1D2 IMO, liked it on my 10D and Eos 1n)
EF 80-200L

[fiveFPS]

I would agree with the 70-200 2.8 is the best bet

[ipacmm]

When I shot a concert, I used the 135mm f/2, 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, 85mm f/1.2 which all worked for me. It also depends how close you are going to be to the stage.