Lens suggestion for festival

lamiet · 29th of June 2012 (Fri)

I am a hobbyist photographer with minimal equipment getting ready to shoot a bluegrass festival in August – for fun only. This will be mostly daylight, outdoors photography and I do have access to the stage, etc.

Looking for lens suggestions to go along with my Rebel XS camera (no laughing please). Currently I own the kit 18-55 and the 50mm 1.8 lenses, but looking to rent and test before purchasing more.

I’m willing to rent any lens available for the weekend and have been researching the 70-200 (all types) and 24-70. Right now I’m leaning towards the 70-200. Thanks for all suggestions.

Louis

toadhunter911 · 29th of June 2012 (Fri)

I just shot my first concert (an outdoor event my church put on) last weekend. and those were the two lenses I used.

With the 70-200 f2.8

Christ is our Rock 2012 207 (1)aa by toadhunter911, on Flickr

With the 24-70 f2.8

Christ is our Rock 2012 119 (1)a by toadhunter911, on Flickr

RichSoansPhotos · 1st of July 2012 (Sun)

Just did a festival all weekend and I used the Canon 24-70mm and the Canon 50mm 1.8 only though had my 70-200mm just in case

CosmoKid · 3rd of July 2012 (Tue)

outdoors you can use almost anything.

RichSoansPhotos · 3rd of July 2012 (Tue)

Correct

whuband · 3rd of July 2012 (Tue)

When shooting daylight you lose the dramatic lighting that makes concert photography so interesting. It then becomes a challenge to actually find something interesting happening on the stage. Watch for interaction among band members or with the audience, any unusual movements, or anything else out of the ordinary. Try to place yourself to find a clean background.
The lenses you have are fine. If you want to rent a 70-200, it will probably serve you well for stage shots and audience candids.

90c4 · 4th of July 2012 (Wed)

For festivals I estimate my usage as:
70-200 75% of time
24-70 20% of time
16-35 5% of time (mostly small stages or onstage)

RichSoansPhotos · 4th of July 2012 (Wed)

I would also bring a faster lens than 2.8 for those performances with low lights

nickgillespie · 21st of August 2012 (Tue)

some lenses to consider for concert photography:

when you're close:
24 1.4
28 1.8
35 1.4
50 1.4

when you're not so close:
85 1.8
70-200 2.8
200 2.8

I shoot a lot of theater (see photos in my signature) and use a combo of those.

René Damkot · 23rd of August 2012 (Thu)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickgillespie

some lenses to consider for concert photography:

IMO, when "close" you'd need something (quite a bit) wider on a Rebel. Then again, during daytime, the 18-55 will do okay.

29th of June 2012 (Fri)	#1
lamiet Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Henderson, KY, USA Posts: 1 IMAGE EDITING OK	Lens suggestion for festival I am a hobbyist photographer with minimal equipment getting ready to shoot a bluegrass festival in August – for fun only. This will be mostly daylight, outdoors photography and I do have access to the stage, etc. Looking for lens suggestions to go along with my Rebel XS camera (no laughing please). Currently I own the kit 18-55 and the 50mm 1.8 lenses, but looking to rent and test before purchasing more. I’m willing to rent any lens available for the weekend and have been researching the 70-200 (all types) and 24-70. Right now I’m leaning towards the 70-200. Thanks for all suggestions. Louis Last edited by lamiet : 29th of June 2012 (Fri) at 15:27.

29th of June 2012 (Fri)	#2
toadhunter911 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Eastpointe, Mi Posts: 338 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lens suggestion for festival I just shot my first concert (an outdoor event my church put on) last weekend. and those were the two lenses I used. With the 70-200 f2.8 Christ is our Rock 2012 207 (1)aa by toadhunter911, on Flickr With the 24-70 f2.8 Christ is our Rock 2012 119 (1)a by toadhunter911, on Flickr __________________ Craig *********************************************** Gear List**

1st of July 2012 (Sun)	#3
RichSoansPhotos Goldmember Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 4,903	Re: Lens suggestion for festival Just did a festival all weekend and I used the Canon 24-70mm and the Canon 50mm 1.8 only though had my 70-200mm just in case __________________ Bodies: Canon 50D, Canon 5DMKII Lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 85mm 1.8 USM, Canon 16-35mm 2.8L USM II Canon 24-70mm 2.8L USM, Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM II Compact: Canon G12

3rd of July 2012 (Tue)	#4
CosmoKid Goldmember Join Date: May 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 4,218 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lens suggestion for festival outdoors you can use almost anything. __________________ Joe- 2 bodies, L 2.8 zoom trilogy and a couple of primes iRocktheShot.com - Portfolio Gear/Feedback Facebook "Fan" Page -

3rd of July 2012 (Tue)	#5
RichSoansPhotos Goldmember Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 4,903	Re: Lens suggestion for festival Correct __________________ Bodies: Canon 50D, Canon 5DMKII Lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 85mm 1.8 USM, Canon 16-35mm 2.8L USM II Canon 24-70mm 2.8L USM, Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM II Compact: Canon G12

3rd of July 2012 (Tue)	#6
whuband Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,258 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Lens suggestion for festival When shooting daylight you lose the dramatic lighting that makes concert photography so interesting. It then becomes a challenge to actually find something interesting happening on the stage. Watch for interaction among band members or with the audience, any unusual movements, or anything else out of the ordinary. Try to place yourself to find a clean background. The lenses you have are fine. If you want to rent a 70-200, it will probably serve you well for stage shots and audience candids. __________________ "The speed of light is 186,000 miles per second. Any faster would be dangerous." --Hap Kliban

4th of July 2012 (Wed)	#7
90c4 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,187	Re: Lens suggestion for festival For festivals I estimate my usage as: 70-200 75% of time 24-70 20% of time 16-35 5% of time (mostly small stages or onstage) __________________ www.facebook.com/stageshooter

21st of August 2012 (Tue)	#9
nickgillespie Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 73	Re: Lens suggestion for festival some lenses to consider for concert photography: when you're close: 24 1.4 28 1.8 35 1.4 50 1.4 when you're not so close: 85 1.8 70-200 2.8 200 2.8 I shoot a lot of theater (see photos in my signature) and use a combo of those. __________________ Wedding Photographer in Charlotte

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