Concert Dream Set Up

[skifurthur]

Money is no object. Each of you needs to aquire what you think is the best equipment you can to be a working photographer in the world of concert photography.

What would you aquire and why would that set up work best for you?

[René Damkot]

Okay, I'll play, as long as I don't have to carry it

1DMk3
16-35L
24-70L
70-200L IS
200/2.0
1.4x TC.
2x 580EX2

Additional, for low light venues:
20/1.8
28/1.8
50/1.2
85/1.8
135/2.0

Or, for low light venues:

50D
17-55EF-s
30/1.4
100/2.0

[narlus]

this is overkill, but you did say dream, right?

body: 5D mkII + 1DmkIII (haven't used these, just guessing)

lenses:
15mm f/2.8 fish
35L f/1.4
85L f/1.2 (haven't used this, just guessing)
135L f/2
16-35L
24-70L f/2.8
70-200L f/2.8 IS
200L f/2 (haven't used this, just guessing)
1.4TC or 300L f/2.8 if there are soundboard restrictions

for flashes, it would be cool to be able to use off-camera stuff assuming there are no restrictions. so 2x580EX as well.


edit - you did ask for reasons...well i was tempted to list the D700 or D3 but i have no experience relative to nikon or their lenses. i can tell you that canon primes and the 5D are a great pairing, and my list just expanded on that a bit...of the lenses i listed, i own all but the 85 f/1.2, 200 f/2 and 300 f/2.8 (i did rent this one, great lens). so i'm pretty familiar w/ the results they produce.

i would be curious to use a 1 series body just to see how the handling/AF differences were.

[londonblue007]

cam bodies:
2x 5DmkII
2x 1DsmkIII
2x 50D (which I already have, but listing anyway)

reason for tons of camera bodies, cause this is a dream, and I like options. I'd like having 2 of each, and having several different models for different types of venues, shows, events, etc.

flashes:
6x 580EX2
some alienbees too.
This is so I can get into some serious strobist stuff for bands.

lenses:
200/2.0
1.4x TC.
15mm f/2.8 fisheye
30 f1.4
35L f/1.4
85L f/1.2
135L f/2
16-35L
17-55IS
24-70L f/2.8
70-200L f/2.8 IS
200L f/2
300L f/2.8

I stole alot of these lens idea's from tim and rene, since they pretty much covered my dreams on that part of the camera world.

And, Since this is dreaming:

I'd like a Canon 17-200mm f/2.8 IS lens. (doesn't exist in real life, but would in my dreams)

I'd also like an assistant to carry all this **** for me. Kinda like a golf caddy, only, carries really heavy camera bags

And, for when I travel, I'd like some custom flight cases so I know my gear will survive the trips. again, assistant or 2 to carry for me.

[René Damkot]

Originally Posted by narlus

edit - you did ask for reasons...well i was tempted to list the D700 or D3 but i have no experience relative to nikon or their lenses.

Since this was a "dream setup", I figured I would not include the optional Mk3 AF nightmares

[OT]Had enough of those. My 1D2 just got back from Canon (again). Let's hope they got it right this time...
If they didn't, I'm not sure what I'll do: Either keep my loaner camera (which is fine), or tell 'em to stuff it and go with Nikon.... (which would be too expensive an option really)[/OT]

[narlus]

Originally Posted by londonblue007

I'd also like an assistant to carry all this **** for me. Kinda like a golf caddy, only, carries really heavy camera bags

when i rented the 300 f/2.8 for ATP, my wife was kind enough to carry that for me each day.

[londonblue007]

Originally Posted by narlus

when i rented the 300 f/2.8 for ATP, my wife was kind enough to carry that for me each day.

how much did you spend on your wife after that?

[skifurthur]

Here's my thinking...the comments on having to carry it all are grounded in experience, so I need to break it down into 2 groups, one for soundboard use, one for photo pit use. When there is no pit, I can mix and match but not take it all.

Bodies

1dMkIII (used it and it will be my next purchase because of how well it focuses in low light)
50D (because of the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and the extra reach when away from the action)

In the pit

15mm f/2.8 fisheye
17-55mm f/2.8 IS
50mm f/1.4 (faster focusing)
135L
70-200mm f/2.8 IS

From the soundboard

17-55mm f/2.8 IS
70-200mm f/2.8 IS
85 f/1.8
135L f/2
200L f/2 IS (this lens rocks beyond words)
1.4 TC
300L f/2.8 IS

[narlus]

Originally Posted by skifurthur

200L f/2 IS (this lens rocks beyond words)
1.4 TC

300L f/2.8 IS

would you rather use 200+TC or 300?

[skifurthur]

Originally Posted by narlus

would you rather use 200+TC or 300?

That's hard to say. Both of those lenses are wonderful. If I had to choose only one, which I don't in this topic(!), I think I would go the way of the 200+TC to grab f/2 at 200mm. In my dream kit I would not have to choose since when I am at the soundboard in an arena I usually get to stay the whole show. So, I carry in all my stuff to stay in one place for a few hours. With those two lenses I would probably set up the 1dMkIII with the 200 f/2 and the 50D with the 300 f/2.8 which would give me a good mix of framing possibilities.

[blackshadow]

OK - I'll play.

This is my ideal setup (* shows what I already have)
1D Mark III*
1Ds Mark III

14mm f2.8L
15mm f2.8 fisheye
16-35 f2.8L II*
35mm f1.4L*
24-70 f2.8L*
70-200 f2.8L IS*
85mm f1.8
135mm f2.0
300mm f2.8L IS
500mm f4L IS

[geeewocka]

one of these badboys with the ability to go down to f1.2, shooting 6inches from the artists face for the entire set with the stage lights wireless control in the palm of my hand

6x17 digital panoramic camera $56,756AU without lens - 160 MP - god knows how big their raw files are



otherwise 5DMKII + 1dsMKIII
15mm fisheye
24mm, 35mm, 85mm, 135mm, 200mm, 400mm primes
24-70mm, 70-200mmIS

with off camera flash setup - sb800's around with pocket wizards

[blackshadow]

I've just got closer to my dream set up - today I found a 5D with 12K actuations for $1050 AU. So now I will be shooting with my 1D Mark III and a 5D (will be retiring my 20D) - I think the 1DM3 + a FF will be an excellent combination.

[RexC]

What about your own lighting crew?

[johnstoy]

Wow, Ski... This is a tough one... I'll need to check Dwight's gear list first, just in case.

I'll add my list here, soon enough, right to this post... Need time to figure this out carefully, cause I do take it very seriously... Cheers.