To prime or not to prime, that is the question.

[squall1977]

I love the 1.8 prime lenses, but how practical is it to shoot club/Live music with them. Currently where I shoot it is not really a problem(carry in my pocket), but I am not in a major city that has a great Club/Music scene. I am looking to relocate next year (to Portland, OR) so before I invest any more in lenses I would like some opinions on the subject and/or stories.
Thanks

[bacchanal]

Primes are where my heart is, I love shooting PA with them, and if you move to Portland I will be jealous of you.

I use the 35L, 85 1.8 and 135L with the 30D and 5D (well sold the 5D in anticipation of the mkII...but my set up is really meant for FF in small clubs). Oh yeah, and I switch lenses a lot.

If you want to go a less expensive route, the 28 f/1.8, Sigma 30 f/1.4, 50 f/1.8, 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.8, 100 f/2 are all solid lenses for performing arts. If you want to get started grab a 30 f/1.4 and find your nearest dive bar/coffee shop and start shooting. I find stuff to shoot and I live in Fort Wayne, IN.

Depending on how you roll, carrying multiple prime lenses around in your pocket may not be so comfy. I would recommend a nice mid-size shoulder bag if you don't have one (Domke or Crumpler).

[narlus]

i have 7 lenses, and 5 are primes. like drew, i love shooting primes as well. if you are under the 3 song rule, then primes are obviously not as practical, but then again if you are under that rule, chances are that the band's got at least decent lighting to allow for zooms.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Love the fast primes for dark theatres. Yes there is something to be said for the f/2.8 zooms, but even with today's amazing ISO capabilities, you still get best results from the primes IMHO.

[gregpphoto]

I've been shooting shows with primes for about two years now.. I got stuck once not being able to AF my 17-40 f/4 so I went out and bought the 20 f/2.8. I have since sold it, but my most used lenses for shows (and even outside of them) are the 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, 35 f/1.4L, and the 70-200 f/2.8 (not a prime I know). All on a 20D.

[blackshadow]

I don't think it matters whether you use primes or zooms - as long as you use the right lens for you at the time.

I use a mix of primes and zooms.

Zooms cop the most use but there are times when it's great the have the 35L f1.4 and the 50 f1.4 on hand.

There are times when only a fast prime will get the shot but there are other times where the flexibility of a zoom is a god send.

I have the zoom range from 16 through to 200mm with 2.8 zooms but in time will add the 85mm f1.8, 135mm f2.0 and a f2.8 fisheye to my arsenal.

[yf920]

for the beginner, be better not to use prime
after several hunderds or thousands shot, you will know what particular focal length you will use and then you 'll be able to choose your own prime

[narlus]

for the beginner, be better not to use prime


i disagree...the beginning concert shooter should at least have the 50 f/1.8...most places that the beginners shoot at have poor lighting where a zoom can't cut it. i spent over a year of shooting gigs before i got my first f/2.8 zoom and my 3 primes (sigma 30, canon 50 and 85) served me well.

[gregpphoto]

I think that starting with a prime will definitely help you gain a sense of composition, but not knowing what focal length you enjoy shooting at most prevents the beginner from wanting to invest in a particular lens.

[narlus]

well $80 will get a beginner a copy of the plastic fantastic, and from there it's not to hard to figure out how the focal lengths of other primes will differ.

it really comes down to the lighting of the clubs they will shoot at...my experience is that most clubs where beginners start out (ie, probably not big ones) will not have great lighting, and primes will allow you to get good shots that zooms won't.