What lens to buy for concerts

[400dabuser]

The good news first, I have been called up to do some concert photography for a website:D:lol:. But want to know what lens would be required for that type of photography

I have been using the 50mm f/1.8 mkII for the small venues with some hit and miss results on the focusing. It was ok regarding the focal length in those clubs, but obviously need a lens just in case I need more reach, in most case is obviously something I require

[narlus]

probably the most versatile lens for shooting from up close is a constant f/2.8 zoom in the 17-60 focal length range. there are several to choose from.

[TeenPhotog]

agreed narlus I was going to suggest the 24 70. When shooting from the pit I've found with the 50 1.8 I want to go wider very often and occasionally zoom in. Of course I am suggesting that lens without ever even holding it myself, but It seems like a great focal range. ;)

Also are you currently shooting exclusively with the 50 1.8 on your 50D?

[CosmoKid]

the 17-55IS is a good choice on your crop. as is the Sigma 30.

[400dabuser]

I am not quite sure about those short focal length lenses

[TeenPhotog]

70-200?
are you not expecting to shoot from the pit for some reason? I'd think from 135 at the most and wider covers any realistic needs from the pit.

[CosmoKid]

i have 2 bodies, one FF and one crop.
my zooms and primes are in my sig

depending on venue size i combine them.

Prudential Center I put the 16-35 on the 40d and the 70-200 on the 5D.

Starland Ballroom (holds like 2k) - 16-35 on the 5D and 24-70 on the 40D. 50mm was too long on my 40D. It was a good length on the 5D.

a 50 on a crop is tight unless the venue is a good size.

what size venues are they?

[400dabuser]

I think the only problem is I don't know any of the venues at first hand

[MMX]

It depends what events you visit. Anything from 85 to 200 can be the right choice (and on a big open air festival you can use even longer lens)

This one was taken with a 300mm lens and APS-C camera:

http://th01.deviantart.net/fs48/PRE/f/2009/217/7/f/Korpiklaani_2_by_M_M_X.jpg

During that event I used various lenses from 15mm fisheye to 400mm telephoto

[400dabuser]

I can see your point, I got a funny feeling that my new 85mm f/1.8 is sufficient enough :)

[skifurthur]

On a crop body my constant go-to lens is the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. As a matter of fact the reason I still have a crop body is so that I can continue using that lens. I shudder to think what it would be like if they ever put in the latest IS since it's still first generation technology. People talk about "issues" such as dust, build and IS errors. While they may have had problems, I live in the real world and my original copy, which I bought used, has had a hard, hard, life. Rain, snow, heat, freezing, countless lens changes and has hit the ground more than once. It still performs like a champ and I have gotten countless sharp photos handheld as slow as 1/8 sec.

In my mind it's the perfect concert lens for the pit and has, literally, made me well over 10x it's price new in sales.