I just got a press pass to a big convention. What lens (indoor)?

When in doubt, 70-200mm F2.8 mk2. That'll put all your doubt to rest.

What convention? ... I just got back from DragonCon. I didn't take many candids or convention-floor photos this year, though I got a pretty good variety of shots from scheduled group shoots.

If it's crowded, 70-200 will be too long for any walkabouts on the convention floor. 24-70 will be about right, even if you only want up-close faces. I prefer a longer focal length for "real" portraits but sometimes there's just not room. When shooting celebrities, you'll almost certainly be fighting the crowd, so if you step far enough away to use the 70-200, someone else WILL step in front of you using a wider focal length (or iPhone).

If you're shooting while they're speaking on a panel, the 70-200 will be about right, maybe even a bit short depending on how close the press pass will get you.

It's likely that the lighting will be terrible - incandescent can lights from high overhead (serious raccoon eyes) or maybe even worse, some sort of sodium-vapor lights. Prepare to supplement ambient with a hotshoe flash, carry a few different gels so that you can complement the color of the ambient lighting (probably 1/2 CTO). Diffusers will probably not be useful if you're shooting from more than a few feet away, though a bounce card may come in handy IF you have the opportunity to pull one of them aside for personal shots.

WalkerStalkerCon. It's a relatively new convention but it's taken off like wildfire.

Unlike many conventions, press is limited. I'll have a lot of opportunity to get close and have been granted permission to interview. I have to submit my interview ahead of time and there are strict guidelines (no spoilers or even attempted spoilers),

I'm going to rent a lens, not buy (new decision) and bring my 430EXII, shoot-through umbrella (just in case) and more.

35mm IS seems pointless to pay for IS on a 35, its wide enough your photos are going to be sharp anyway. a 24mm -35mm would be the way to go for this case preferably one with fast aperture (1.4-1.8) You honestly don't need IS with a lens that wide. you should be fine.

I'm most likely going to bring my own gear (28-135 and 40mm) along with renting the 100mm USM L IS macro. My focus (no pun intended) is to fill the entire frame with the head. That's kind of my thing. I love the detail in the face.

I would start with the 35L and have a 50L on hand. If the crowd is large there will be little room to manuver and the L's will give you the brightest viewfinder to focus with. I started my career shooting grip and grin for record labels and had to work in some large crowds.

EOS-Mike wrote in post #17164078
WalkerStalkerCon. It's a relatively new convention but it's taken off like wildfire.

Sounds fun. I have seen it advertised - may be able to make it to the Orlando one next year. To be honest, I haven't been keeping up with the Walking Dead, but I do like going to cons to take pictures of interesting costumes (refer to my flickr stream) and sometimes dress up myself.

You might ask in advance about restrictions on lighting, just to make sure you're covered. Wizard World has had increasingly oppressive photography rules over the past would years, and DragonCon said "no light stands" which was new this year. In addition to your press pass, if you have a note from their security or media director, that should give you something to whip out in case you get hassled by an overzealous security volunteer.

Looking forward to seeing your results.

A year ago was the first ever WalkerStalkerCon. It's a convention dedicated to that one show, and as a result they have just about every actor booked. A few people dress up, but not like at the other conventions. Most people show up in regular clothing. The event is far more about meeting the actors and learning about the acting/filming/writing​/FX processes than anything else. If you have an entire day you are pretty much guaranteed to meet all the actors.

Last year there were three lines an hour long (Norman Reedus, Andrew Lincoln and Danai Guirera), but the other lines were really only 0-15 minutes long. You approach their table, shake hands and introduce yourself, carry on a one to two minute conversation, and then leave. If you choose to pay (usually about 20 bucks) you can get your picture with them (using your own camera) and get an autograph. They'll often sign stuff you bring for free.

They also have Q&A panels as well. Other guests are invited if their shows or films are very closely related to the Walking Dead or AMC.

Last year all I had was my EOS-M. I was there as a paying visitor. But it was a blast.

last think you want to do is switch lenses. I think a 24-70 2.8 II rental is in your future!!

EOS-Mike wrote in post #17164121
I'm most likely going to bring my own gear (28-135 and 40mm) along with renting the 100mm USM L IS macro. My focus (no pun intended) is to fill the entire frame with the head. That's kind of my thing. I love the detail in the face.

If you want detail in their faces you'd be better off sticking with your 28-135mm. The DOF at 100mm and f2.8 isn't going to be wide enough for any real detail if you're framing for only the face. You'll need to stop it down to f4-5.6 anyway for that type of thing and you'll definitely need flash for an indoor convention.

Here's an example of what I mean. This is 105mm at f2.5, note how only parts of the face are in focus

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/fp3d​Xh

I bought a 85mm 1.8 for $260. I'll bring that along with my other gear and make the best of it.

Now I need to spend my time coming up with a creative concept for shooting and writing.