Yes, another “help me pick a lens”

I need help selecting a low light lens for concerts and theater for a 60D. I used a 50mm and 85mm (both 1.8) and they did well but I wish I had something shorter. I listed both primes and zoom lenses because there were times that I was in a tight area and would have love the option to zoom in and out. I would love to carry one lens but I know that’s a slim chance so I’m leaning more for the 28mm or 30mm primes. Please give me your feedback and help me decide, thanks.

Budget: There is none, I need to know what I’m saving for.

EF 28mm f/1.8
Canon EF 50mm f1.4
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC

Sigma 17-50 os
Tamron 17-50 vc
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L
Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8
Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 DI VC USD

What body are you using? Was 1.8 enough to allow the shutter speed you needed? Those are question we need to have answers for before we can give you advice.

Since the OP has included the EF-S 17-55 and Sigma 30 1.4 as options, I assume he/she has an APS-C camera.

For zoom: the Canon 17-55. There is no better wide-angle 2.8 zoom for a crop-camera, IMHO. The 16-35L is a really nice lens, I'm sure, but the extra 20mm at the narrow end will be useful to minimize (not eliminate) the amount cropped on longer shots.

For primes: I see excellent results for concerts and similar from the 24L and 28 1.8 lens threads, but mostly on FF bodies. You might want to consider the Sigma 20mm 1.8 - that will give you a nice wide FoV on APS-C. I know the difference I see at 24mm on FF vs APS-C would make me want to go a bit wider if all I had was my T3i.

And yes, was 1.8 fast enough? Barely fast enough? Because the zooms are all limited to f/2.8, which can be a significant limiting factor. The 24L 1.4 is a really nice fast wide lens, but it is also really, really expensive.

IMHO,

shinksma

His first sentence says he's got a 60D...

1.8 worked well on my 60D. I feel a bit faster would have help me. Thats why I listed the primes first. As for the zooms at 2.8, I'm thinking that they wont help me if I was not completely happy at 1.8.

Sigma 30 will give you wider than the 50mm and is slightly faster.
I agree with you that 2.8 zooms won't make you happy if 1.8 is still not quite there. But at 1.4 you are pushing the limits of what you can do afford-ably lens wise. FF will give you an ISO advantage that will translate better with lens choices.

Looks like the Sigma 30mm 1.4 would be perfect for your needs.

I am surprised the 50mm is too long. You must be pretty close to the action. For concerts and theaters I would suggest to go prime and, therefore, go fast. f/2.8 from any top end zoom is really going to limit your shutter speed. I would image lighting to be a major limiting factor.

Try the 35 1.4L or the 20 1.8 that you mention above.

well, the fastest zoom you can get is a f/2.8, where i would recommend the 17-55. if you need more range, go for the 70-200 2.8 (is if you want to pay more for it)

if 2.8 is not fast enough, for you, then you'll need to get a prime. pretty simple. the 50mm 1.4 obviously has a solid reputation, but if you need a shorter focal length, you'll need to shell out a bit more cash...but that way, you'll have the red line of pro

Your focal length depends on where you sit and if you want to include the entire stage.

As far as the aperure, often, even a f/4 lens is capable, depending on the lighting.

I would look into:

1. Getting a camera which will allow quality imagery at a high ISO. Actually - the 60D should do a decent job but, the best quality will be with a 5Diii or a 1D (series) camera.

2. Learning how to get the most quality out of high ISO's.

3. Or a combination of #1 and #2

Prime: Sigma 30
Zoom: EF-S 17-55 IS.

Would be my pick.

Simplistic wrote in post #15019390
His first sentence says he's got a 60D...

I am 99% sure that was not there when I originally posted, also the statement of 1.8 being good enough. Haha


The 60D should have a good enough high ISP if you need to bump it up. I think a 24/30/35 mm should be good for a fast prime along with 17-55