small venue - hard rock concert - which lenses to use

I have read through dozens of posts and got a lot of fantastic information.

I had a few other questions regarding what I currently own and what would be the best to use.

I am shooting a small venue rock show for a friends band.

I own a 20D, 70-200 2.8L, and a sigma 18-50 2.8 and a sigma 10-20
Which lens would be best ? I am planning on moving about the club, I know there is no pit and the lighting would not be one of those spectacular light shows since it's in a bar/club.

My first thoughts were to use the 70-200.

I also was in the market for a 50 1.4. but not sure if that's overlap since I have a 50 range on the sigma.

any thoughts and/or suggestions?

thanks in advance!

In a small venue, I think the 70-200 would be too long. As for the 50 1.4 overlapping, it may overlap in terms of focal length, but I think you'll find that the difference between 2.8 & 1.4 in low light would be a big difference. In a small club with poor lighting, the 50 1.4 would be my choice.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I knew I could find justification to pick up a new lens.

... don't forget to switch the 50 1.8 to "hard rock" mode before using!

roundsquare1 wrote in post #2454862
Thanks for the suggestion.

I knew I could find justification to pick up a new lens.

It's easy find justification for new equipment - it's the money I have a tough time finding...

For a small venue as described and the lenses in your kit I think the 18-50 is going to be your best best - don't be afraid to shoot at 3200 ISO if you need it either.

Blackshadow, You have have some great gig pictures. I took a look at your site and live bands is your niche. Well done! I like your shots of bands performing in the outdoor venues.

ironbelle wrote in post #2457109
Blackshadow, You have have some great gig pictures. I took a look at your site and live bands is your niche. Well done! I like your shots of bands performing in the outdoor venues.

Thanks ironbelle - I really appreciate it. I do OK but there are some people who post here who impress the heck out of me with their work.

I'll stop hijacking this thread now!

I frequently shoot in dark New York clubs of various sizes. My most commonly used lens are a 50mm and an 85mm, both 1.8. Occasionally, I'd actually like a shorter lens to get the whole band in the picture. If you can move around easily, the 50 should be fine.

blackshadow wrote in post #2457148
Thanks ironbelle - I really appreciate it. I do OK but there are some people who post here who impress the heck out of me with their work.

I'll stop hijacking this thread now!

Thanks, Richard!

You're always stealing my thunder!

www.ohyouprettythings.​com

*ahem*

Just as a crazy idea.... if the venue is really small, and you can be right up front... and were talking new lenses that are cheap.... you may also look at the Canon 28 f1.8 and Sigma 30 f1.4. I shot in Seattle during the height of the grunge era in some of the really small clubs there, and the wides provided some really cool shots. You are able to still get the main artist front and center, they are just wrapped more in the environment they are playing in, which can add a lot to a shot. Your 18-50 f2.8 may be able to pull this off since you can get away with less light on wides and slower shutter speeds. A f1.8 or 1.4 never hurt though.

Well I picked up a 50 1.4 the other day. Been playing around with it the last two days. I'm finding at 1.4 the DOF doesn't leave much room for error. I'm bringing it with my Sigma 18-50 as well.

I was thinking even bringing the 70-200 2.8 but might leave that at home....

I'll post photos over the weekend.

In small clubs, I've been shooting with my three primes: 85mm f/1.8 for headshots, 50mm f/1.8 for single person shots and 28mm f/1.8 for ensemble shots. Generally speaking, I think the 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 is best for small venue live music photography. However, you noted that this is a hard rock band, which is probably a higher-energy gig than the jazz and blues I photograph. In that situation, I actually think that a 28mm or a 35mm on a crop-sensor camera might be a better lens.

Don't dismiss the idea of also using the 70-200mm. It's my main concert lens, regardless of the size of the venue I'm shooting...

Most of the time I take my 70-200 along even to small shows just in case - occasionally I bring it out but find in general it is too long for the smaller venues unless I am looking for an extreme close up.