What lens to bring to the Obama rally on election night?

I got a ticket to be one of the 70,000 inside the fenced in area. Apparently you can't bring bags, so I was just gonna bring my XT and one lens. I know I run a risk of my gear getting damaged (there might be a riot if Obama loses), so I was thinking the Nifty Fifty. It's replaceable and good in low light. I was also maybe thinking about the 55-250 IS so I could zoom onstage if need be. The 4-stop IS would work well in low light too.

Any ideas?

I'm not opposed to just buying a new lens for the occasion.

55-250.

I suppose there are two avenues, you can either take in a wide-angle to get all the crowds and celebrations or a telephoto to get the man himself on stage. I think I'd go for the wide-angle to get the atmosphere, it'll make much more memorable images than just a man on stage.

Why not take both? the 50 1.8 is small enough for a jacket pocket and the 55-250 mounted?

I used my XTi, 70-300/DO and 1.4 TC to a 70,000 people rally early summer and had JUST enough reach for OK shots at about 3-400 feet away from the stage. Still had to crop a lot for good pictures. This was a day time rally so f/5.6 wasn't a problem.

The Obama organizers are good at setting up a large rally. They have several entrances that fill near, middle and back sections all at once. There are usually internal low fences that divide the rally area into sections. So if you want to get close in, be sure to choose the correct entrance.

get the longest zoom lens you can bring. I'm prime mania but i dunt think this is the situation prime can resolve zoom as you never know u'll be at the front or back (and wont likely zoom with "feet" around the crowd)

If it were me, I'd bring my 10-22mm lens...

Anke wrote in post #6614114
I suppose there are two avenues, you can either take in a wide-angle to get all the crowds and celebrations or a telephoto to get the man himself on stage. I think I'd go for the wide-angle to get the atmosphere, it'll make much more memorable images than just a man on stage.

I definitely want to take more pictures of the crowd than anything. Pictures of Obama aren't that important to me.

I would take the 18-50. It's going to be a huge event, and a wide angle lens will help reflect that feeling.

Be sure to wear your best running shoes. There might be riots if he wins, too.

bring the IS lens so you can shoot on the run!

I just went to an Obama speech here in Springfield. I was lucky enough to get backstage and was about five feet away when he entered the stadium (will post photos later). I was using my 28-135 IS and had my nifty in my pocket. I switched to the nifty for obvious reasons when I knew people were coming on to the stage, then switched back out when I knew I would be taking shots at farther distance. I wish that I would have had a 70-200 f/2.8 IS or something, but you have to go with what you have sometimes. The lighting was horrible since I was behind stage and huge lights were shining directly at me. The 55-250mm would probably do a fine job, just keep the nifty in your pocket. I took shots at 1600 and even 3200 ISO with my 28-135, and I thought that they turned out pretty well all things considered. Bags are not allowed, so you are right about that also. I just wore cargo pants

I would have killed to have a wide angle lens. I just could not get the perspective I wanted with my 28-135mm. The crowd was massive here, around 40,000 and that was at a High School football stadium. Expect a massive crowd. Just keep a wide angle in your other cargo pocket.

I don't own cargo shorts and the weather will be too nice for a coat.

Getting mixed opinions here. My 18-50 f/2.8 might be a good middle ground.

you will need a wide/UWA and a long lens so i'd suggest your 10-20 to 'capture the atmosphere' as one already suggested and the 55-250 for the money shot. this is a once in a longtime opportunity to capture history, you need to find a way to carry that second lens just in case.

El Duderino wrote in post #6617217
I don't own cargo shorts and the weather will be too nice for a coat.

Getting mixed opinions here. My 18-50 f/2.8 might be a good middle ground.

Drive your butt to old navy and get a pair, their 12 bucks!