is the 70-200 2.8 IS suitable for indoor lowlight shoots?

i'm currently thinking about which lenses to get next to complement my 50mm f1.4 for shooting live music.

i've decided i want to add the 35L to cover the wider end for upclose to the stage but also i sometimes find myself at the back of the crowd or up in the galleries and a longer lens would come in useful.

my question is how suitable is the 70-200 2.8IS for this type of task? i understand when using the long end i'd need quite a fast shutterspeed (1/250 or higher) but i was wondering how much impact the IS would have on this.

does anyone else here actually use this lens for this type of shoot or am i on the totally wrong track here?

1) Also have a look at the Sigma 30/1.4
2) 70-200 IS is nice. IS will stop camera shake, but won't stop subject motion.
Take a look at the 'Performing Arts' section. Lot's of people over there use one...

Yes, but there are other low light alternatives that are faster.

i did look at the sigma but all the talk of a high chance of getting a bad copy has put me off somewhat. in the end i may reconsider depending on budget.

I ended up with the 17-55 f/2.8 IS and the 135 f/2L for indoor events, other primes if needed. I did this mainly because the 70-200 f/2.8 IS stands out too much in my (non-professional) settings. From what I read the 70-200 f/2.8 IS is used a lot for indoor events, and using noise reduction software can help get that extra stop or two by upping the ISO.

There is a great thread with a Q&A with Dwight McCann who does fantastic concert work, he goes into a lot of detail about lenses, technique etc. Well worth a read.

Malcolm

i would say mabye look at a pair of long lenses such as the 85 1.8 and the 135 F2. you should be able to get them for a little less, and the extra stops of light should be more help to you. of course if you dont want to swap four lenses all the time, the 70-200 should do a decent job depending on how good the lighting is.

if you are into things that don't move much (choirs, plays, other school type events, 70-200IS is a dream. since they normally don't move much, 1/30th of a second can be used. add f4-5.6, iso 400-800 (depending on how well lit the place is), and you have a good, low noise, high sharpness picture. even in the worst condition's ive had, 70-200 was able to pull off some retardedly long exposures (f2.8, 1600 iso, 1/6th shutter speed) and manage to not have shake (though one subject moved, ruining the shot)

I can tell you are not in the UK - no one in the UK is allowed to photograph or video school events any more, even with their own kids in, in case they are a pervert, nice isn't it.

Its ok for me, my kid got past the school play stage before this came in, but it must be a real loss to those with younger kids.

roll the dice! it's a great lens, and far cheaper than the 35L.

Take a look at the 100 f/2 or the 135L. Either would work well. I've used the 100f/2 and have gotten some great shots with it during concerts and school plays.

And that restriction on taking photos at school plays in the UK is insane, Lester! Everyone loses in that scenario.

Its they way things are going over here Liza. At present we have drought restriction that means no one is alowed to use a hose pipe to water the garden. The nice thing is the adverts on the radio pressing you to inform on your neigbors that might be using a hose - soon we will have secret police.

Anyway, exit grumpy old man mode.

here's some 70-200 IS samples from very very low light indoors, handheld. some were with the 16-35, and it should be apparent which are which

http://polisphotograph​y.com …iour%20Concert/​index.html

There are times when f/2.8 is too slow, no doubt,.. but often I use the f/2.8 zooms just fine for indoor low light work.

Defintely can produce in low light. Sadly, this was done with Canon 10D. I could only imagine with my new 30D.

I shoot concerts with a 70-200mm f/2.8L (non-IS), so I don't see why the IS version wouldn't be appropriate for low light stuff...