What 20D package for this type of shots?

[EricKonieczny]

I am going to get a 20D package within the next month and looking for suggestions.


I shoot about 50% low light, concert / nightclub / event photography. But also want a lense for general shots like simple nature and other stuff .

Please look at my website below to look at my style.

What lense(S) would work best in this environment?

What Flash? and at least 1GB Memory Card.

That is the first round of purchasing with around $2500.

Will $2500 be enough? or will I have money left to get other items?


I know in the near future I will need to get the Vertical Battery Grip, Extra Storage, and Backpack.


What other suggestions do you have, should I possibly look at buying?

Should I buy a package deal or get everything seperate?

Where should I buy?

Thanks for your suggestions, for a Canon Newbie. I can barely wait to buy it.

[CyberDyneSystems]

EF 85mm f/1.8 :)

Get it at B&H

[Wazza]

85mm will certainly do that trick. And for a quarter of the price, you could try the lightweight 50mm1.8. I've had some really decent handheld night shots from it, with higher ISOs. Just incredible how much extra this will punch out compared to my next fastest lens, both f4's. (17-40L and 70-300 Sigma)

[DaveG]

I am going to get a 20D package within the next month and looking for suggestions.


I shoot about 50% low light, concert / nightclub / event photography. But also want a lense for general shots like simple nature and other stuff .

Please look at my website below to look at my style.

What lense(S) would work best in this environment?

What Flash? and at least 1GB Memory Card.

That is the first round of purchasing with around $2500.

Will $2500 be enough? or will I have money left to get other items?


I know in the near future I will need to get the Vertical Battery Grip, Extra Storage, and Backpack.


What other suggestions do you have, should I possibly look at buying?

Should I buy a package deal or get everything seperate?

Where should I buy?

Thanks for your suggestions, for a Canon Newbie. I can barely wait to buy it.


If I was doing what you are I'd be looking for speed. Although the 85 f1.8 is a fine lens I would think that something longer like the 100 f2 might be better. AND I'd think about getting the 50 f1.4 as well. You might get away with f2.8 if you do most of your shooting in professionally lit stadiums, but if you are working in smaller nightclub venues then f2/f1.4 would be required.

I remember using my Nikkor 50 f1.2 wide open, along with Kodak Extapress 1600 (yech) pushed to 3200 and I still got only a shutterspeed of 1/60 of a second. Without that speed I would have had to keep walking!

Normally zooms would be a better choice in terms of composition choices without having to switch lenses. But even the fast f2.8 L series zooms are (probably) too slow and out of your price range for now.

The Canon 24-85 f3.5/4.5 could round out your lens line for now. It's slow so it's not really for the concert stuff, but it'll give you some wide angle capability and (I own one) it's very sharp.

The last thing that you want to do at a concert is to use a camera mounted flash. That'll change that cool theatrical stage presentation to four guys practicing in their basement! I always took advantage of stage lighting, and generally that's all you will be allowed to use. If you do need to add light with flash it should always be off camera. And by off camera I mean meters off camera not centemeters. That means either the Canon wireless system (550/580 + more 550/580/420's) or a radio slave and a conventional flash.

Although I love the results of my Canon wireless work, it tends to be a trial and error proposition with a static subject. I think that a radio slave system might just work better in a crowded room.

[EricKonieczny]

any more suggestions? I know there is tons more people that shoot similar styles in low light environments.


Here are the current recommendations:

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8
Canon 100 f2
Sigma 24-70 f2.8 EX DG Macro (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=350973&is=REG)
Tamron 28-75 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284399&is=REG)
Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX HSM (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=148317&is=USA)
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS
Canon 35/1.4L
Canon 50/1.4
Canon EF 135 2.8 SF
Canon 50mm1.8
Canon 24-85 f3.5/4.5

What would you buy, any why?


AHHh too many choices :eek:

[mobilestudio1]

Concert Photography is what first got me into photography when I was in my teens, but sadly it has become a "side job" as of late since I mainly earn a living doing portraits. But I digress . . .

DaveG has some very good points. Since most bands and venues prohibit flash photography, even with a photo pass, I'd invest in a fast and versatile lens first and foremost. In my experience, the 50mm 1.8 is an "OK" lens. I've had some trouble with it focusing as fast as I need it to in live concert situations and in super low light. With that said, I have to add that I haven't used the 50 1.8 on the 20D yet . . . I'll actually be trying it out on the 20D this weekend, so I'll let you know how it goes. As a starter lens, the price can't be beat and you'll learn quickly how to manage its quirks.

The 50mm 1.4 is a very good lens, but you have to be very careful when using it for concert work because of it's depth of field. I've seen a lot of potentially great shots lost because a performer’s nose was in focus but their eyes weren't - or vice versa. Both lenses have their pros and cons, but if you're like me, you'll tire of either lens quickly and miss being able to zoom. Since concert photography is so fast paced and sometimes limited in the amount of time you're allowed to shoot, it's not realistic be changing lenses - so unless you plan to carry two cameras equipped with two different lenses, you'll need a lens with versatility. My all-time favorite lens for concert photography is the Canon 70-200 2.8L IS. Pricey? Yes! Unbeatable? Without question! Aside from its outstanding quality, I also use the 70-200 because the 20D doesn't have a spot meter. In the world of concert photography, where the stage is usually backlit and lights are flashing and changing wildly, metering can be a nightmare. A zoom allows you to zoom in on the face or neck of the performer and meter using partial metering - then pull out and compose and you've got accurate metering that will produce perfectly exposed skin tones (don't forget to increase exposure by about 1/2 using that method). Contrary to popular belief, the 20D's 1600 ISO is definitely "acceptable" and with a sharp lens and noise reduction software like Noiseware or Neat Image, you can produce gorgeous shots in low light situations. I've even pushed it and used 3200 during a super-low light club show and had useable results. So, I wouldn't be too worried about choosing between a 1.8 and a 2.8.

The 70-200 is great for nature shots as well and I've used it for outdoor portraits with awesome results. What it might not be so great for is night club or event work . . . if you need to capture a wider perspective, like a crowd of people on the dance floor, it's just not wide enough. For that you might be satisfied with the 18-55 EFS that comes with the 20D Kit if there's enough light . . . satisfied for now of course. :lol:

And, to cover the spectrum, I also recommend the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L. Another pricey lens to add to the wish list. I rented it a few months back and fell in love with it! If you take the 20D's 1.6x crop factor into consideration, and if you're not shooting in large arenas, it's an awesome zoom lens that's about 500 bucks less than the 70-200! On the 20D, it's great for portraits, great for club work and an all around great, versatile lens.

All lenses have their strengths and weaknesses depending on your needs. My best advice would be to start off with a zoom lens that you can afford and what works for you today. In a perfect world, at least a 2.8. If you wind up with only the 18-55 kit lens, try and add in the 50 1.8 and you should be ok. You can always trade up later. I looked at your web site and your nightclub shots are great so I'm confident you can work with whatever you decide to get!

As far as a flash is concerned, I personally use the 580EX on the 20D. For concert or club work where you can use a flash, I use it off camera - and only when shooting in a manual mode. I often use it with an off-camera shoe cord. As DaveG pointed out, there is nothing worse than loosing the mood and rich colors of a live show to a harsh, white flash and the jet black background it leaves you with. Even with the flash off camera, I often turn it down, sometimes way down, for a subtle fill flash.

Best of luck to you and be sure to share your results when that 20D arrives!!
Lisa

(oh, and to answer your question on where to buy . . . I use Adorama (http://www.adorama.com/) and have never had any problems with them. I don't know what your buying experience of photo equipment is, but I would recommend that you only buy US gear and NOT gray market. The price difference isn't worth not having a warranty!! If you're buying new US gear, all reputable dealers are within a few dollars of each other so I'd buy everything at a large but local camera shop where you can establish a repoire with them and have them get to know you personally. It may seem insignificant as to whether or not your camera salesman knows your name but, believe me, in a crisis there's no better friend to have! ;) )