Concert Lens Help?

I will be shooting a concert this weekend. I have a reserved seat in the front row and will have some movement ability right in front as well as up and down a row of stairs. There is not a raised stage, it is theater seating and the bottom row is the same level as the stage. I want to get some good shots of the full stage, but I would really like to get some real good close ups of faces. I have a 28-135mm Lens now and during rehersal last night I could not get the close ups I was hoping for.

I am looking for a good lens for low light with a good zoom. I am thinking the 70-200L 2.8 IS

Does anyone have any other suggestions that might be better. I will also be borrowing a Nikon D200 for more of the medium range shots, but I am really wanting some good close ups where the singers face fills the frame without much crop.

Thanks in advance!!

why a zoom lens? there are awesome primes

If you head down to the Performing Arts forum, you'll find a sticky there with some great advice from Dwight McCann, our resident concert curmudgeon, as well as many others.

My main concert lens is the 70-200mm f/2.8L (non-IS). The IS isn't going to do anything for motion blur, really; just camera shake.

The 28-135mm is, I think, a tad slow for what you'll be wanting to do. In concert photoraphy, speed is life and the 28-135mm, in my opinion, doesn't quite make it. Without regard to how close you were able to get at rehearsal, how were the quality of the shots you did get with that lens?

I want the versatility of Zoom so I dont have to change lenses to get different perspectives, I do have the 50mm 1.8 though

Thanks Steve, I believe you are right at the slow 28-135 as at zoom it is only 5.6 It was late last night and I get up super early so I have not had a chance to check out the rehersal shots but just from the 2.5in display on the camera it appears to be a little slow for the closups.

I originally purchased my 70-200 2.8IS for my children's concert photography, where the concert hall is dim and flash photography is disallowed. Although I have faster primes, none have the reach and flexibility of this zoom. It is an excellent lens for what you describe. I would also recommend getting the IS, as it really helps with camera shake at the longer tele end, particularly for the speeds that you'll be forced to shoot at even at 800+ ISO. I've previously shot using this lens in combination with a monopod, but it takes away your maneuverability, so that's not a real alternative to the IS.

Thank you for the feedback, looks like the 70-200 2.8 IS is going to be the way to go. Will pick that up tonight.