One quality lense for multiple purposes...

Hey everyone,

I am looking to invest in one high quality lens (it won't be the only one I own, of course) and I need it to serve multiple purposes well.

I shoot a lot of concert photography, so I need to it work very well in low light and be quick.

I am also going to use it to shoot some indoor/outdoor photography for musicians/bands to use for promotional items.

So I am looking for something of quality that is versatile as well. I know the range I have given is extremely broad.

I am looking to spend around $2,000...

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

50L

Sounds like you are talking about a Canon 70-200L f/2.8 (is) for around $2300.

What do you have for lenses now and what camera do you use?

How close can you work at the concerts, how far back can you get for the indoor work? Seems to me you are at a crossroads. If you want fast and sharp indoors, you probably need a prime, but which is the more important task.

70-200 2.8 IS if you take shots from distance.
If you are taking them close better to get L prime 50 or 35 mm, depends which camera format you are.

IMHO , it's either 24-70mm or 70-200mm f/2.8 L .. depending on distances expected.

The 85mm f/1.8 is another good option, couple it with a fast wider prime. (24 or 35 L)

Sounds like 85/1.8, 35/1.4, and sigma 50 or 135L.

70-200/2.8 is another option, but it's not as fast and leaves you without a wide option.

Sigma 85 f/1.4

Sounds like you're doing a lot of people shots, and you need low light capability for the concerts.

my experience so far shooting at concert albeit only once is that ones did not need fast lens to shoot. i shot with 24-105 @105 (obviously) and still can get shot at f8-9. the lighting frm the stage really helps in providing lights much needed......

It looks like you are looking for 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM.

KVN Photo wrote in post #12808427
It looks like you are looking for 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM.

what he said

ChuckingFluff wrote in post #12804658
What do you have for lenses now and what camera do you use?

Excellent questions, as yet, unanswered.

forbigger wrote in post #12808358
my experience so far shooting at concert albeit only once is that ones did not need fast lens to shoot. i shot with 24-105 @105 (obviously) and still can get shot at f8-9. the lighting frm the stage really helps in providing lights much needed......

You and I must go to different concerts.

I guess depends on how far you are away from the stage? You will need some lens with IS under those situation. My pick will be 70-200 f/2.8 IS II. But some concert doesn't allow people to bring too big of a equipment, keep that in mind.