nightlife / indoor event- best lens?

[Cliqtography]

Going to start doing niteclub photography (people partying etc.).. what would be the best lens to use.. and cost efficient. I'm guessing something atleast 2.8

[MuelTek]

I wanted the same type of lens, so I did a search.

I came up with the 50mm 1.2 or 1.4. I chose the 1.4 for cost savings and the lack of perceived value with the upgrade of one additional stop. I now own the 1.4 and is great.

The second lens that I would choose based on the search is the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM.
I will get this one when I get some more spare cash.

Hope that helps and I am sure others have greater insight.

[turbodude]

Going to start doing niteclub photography (people partying etc.).. what would be the best lens to use.. and cost efficient. I'm guessing something atleast 2.8


look here for everything you needed to know about nightlife photography

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=415099

Myself and lots of other added very useful information in there.

[Luckie8]

I've been hearing lots of glooming reviews on the new Sigma 50 f/1.4

[jlvpeng]

I think 50 1.4 is really good. 50 1.2 is too hard to focus, you have to be REAL accurate to focus in order to get a good shot. Sometime it's not easy to do in a night club. I think 35mm 1.4 on a ff camera would be awesome. maybe 24mm 1.4 on the crop for group photos.

[javanutsy]

How about the Sigma 30 f/1.4? This would be a great lens to use on a crop for indoors available light shooting.

[turbodude]

all those lenses are too long for nightclubs i can tell you right now. you need 24 or wider on a crop.

[Stoosh]

I use a 17-55 2.8 for people shots and the 70-200 2.8 IS for concerts etc

No point in getting a f/1.x for people shots as group shots and alot of 1/2 people photos will be OOF because of the shallow DOF.

[taxsux]

I would say for nightclubs would be the 24L 1.4 or perhaps the 30mm Sigma 1.4 if on a budget.

[gasrocks]

Another vote for 17-55/2.8 IS. You can hand hold this lens down to some incredible shutter speeds.

[hania]

I use a 17-55 2.8 for people shots and the 70-200 2.8 IS for concerts etc

No point in getting a f/1.x for people shots as group shots and alot of 1/2 people photos will be OOF because of the shallow DOF.


Same here.
Have also used 50 1.4 for shots from behind orchestra pit in theatre during dress rehearsal.

[Cliqtography]

thanks everyone for your input.. and thanks turbodude for the link.

[René Damkot]

I would say for nightclubs would be the 24L 1.4 or perhaps the 30mm Sigma 1.4 if on a budget.

For nightclubs you don't need fast glass, you need a wide lens and a flash.

I'm assuming this is for your 30D?

Something in the 17-50 mm focal range is fine, and likely to be used in the 17-30mm range mostly.

f/2.8 might be nice to have, but isn't absolutely necessary. Even the kit lens would do quite well.

I'd start off by using the 17-85, and spend the money on a 580EX or so...

[Cliqtography]

For nightclubs you don't need fast glass, you need a wide lens and a flash.

I'm assuming this is for your 30D?

Something in the 17-50 mm focal range is fine, and likely to be used in the 17-30mm range mostly.

f/2.8 might be nice to have, but isn't absolutely necessary. Even the kit lens would do quite well.

I'd start off by using the 17-85, and spend the money on a 580EX or so...

Thanks... yea i already got some gigs and test runs set up.. so im going to try it out with what i got.. see if it works out... then spend the money.. appreciate the advice.

[nickLee123]

i've been shooting clubs for a few months, flash is a must and wide is a must. i personally use a 10-22. i don't know how close quarters you'll be shooting in so thats up to you. i will say that 2.8 and faster is not needed and will hurt focus for group shots. i usually keep my aperture at 4.5 and it works fine. iso 400-640, 1/3" shutter

[Cliqtography]

yea, i used my 15mm and it worked out well.. i just ordered a 430 flash so ill do some test runs as soon as i get it. thanks