Lens for dim lit Live music shows.

Aside from my aspirations to do portraiture and candid shots of F&F, I have connections to start doing back stage and front stage shots at small and large concert venues. I still have my budget I posted about and I am wanting to go with one good, or a couple good primes. But I need help.
I have only shot primarily with zooms my only prime being a 50mm 1.8 (so so so soft was the lens, it was indeed a bad copy but I bought it used and have sold it with a combo deal on EBAY) I need a little help on what to go with for low light stage shots.
I know I will need wide shots and I know I will want tight close shoots but I know primes will give me an edge in the lower light and give me the sharpness I want, also they will double as good portrait lenses as well.
So I know I want primes but I have to keep in mind flexibility and IQ.

I am leaning toward the fallowing, a Sig 30MM 1.4 (or fifty but this will be my wider-ish lens). And an 85mm 1.8 (have not ruled out an 85L 1.2)

I think that just one of the above two would really cut me short on some shots I want to take. How do you guys feel about the 35, 85 combo for doing those type of shots in that internment? And how will those two lenses serve me in my other photo ventures?

I would really like to hear from people that have shot in that type of environment, and people who have use those lenses for low light situation.

Thanks all.

(BTW, I shot one show before with my nifty-fifty before I rid myself of it and I had to do way to much moving in and out and the IQ just wasn't there for me.)

I shot almost an entire concert on the 70-200L 2.8 IS & 40D and found it fantastic - I was getting good results @ ISO800, aperture priority set at f2.8 and shutter speeds were going from 1/80 to about 1/160. The IS was invaluable.

Given you've got the 17-55mm as well you'll probably be able to cover most events with those two lenses, but it would probably be good to go with one fast prime - 30mm Sigma (although I've had endless focussing hassle with those), 35L, 50mm f1.4 or f1.2, 85mm f1.8 or f1.2.

Given that wider lenses can be hand-held at slower shutter speeds there is an argument for going with a longer faster lens. My preferred lenses for concert photography would be the 50mm f1.4 or f1.2 (be aware of the back-focus issues - probably not an issue for this concert photography though) or an 85mm lens to compliment your exisiting lenses.

The 135L is also good, but 70-200 with IS trumps it in this instance.

Phil

Thank you so much, after doing more reading, the 35L seems like it would fit the bill plus fill in nicely for a much needed, sharper, portrait lens.
Right now I am leaning toward getting 35L and 85mm 1.8 to round out my collection for my needs. (would still like a great macro too)
Am def getting the 85mm 1.8 but the 35L for dim light and portraiture I am still contemplating. That is so close to the 85L price range can't get both lol

I would head for 85 f1.2 rather than 35L for portraits. Depends on the type of portraits I guess, but the traditional head & shoulders stuff is where the 85L shines. It is also fantastic for getting amazing 3D like effects using thin dof.

Phil

IMO, you'll need something wider then 30mm on a crop.
The sigma 30/1.4 would be nice for half body portraits, a 50/1.4 would be nice for a bit closer shots or stage overviews from a distance, and the 85/1.8 would be nice for tight close ups.

For wide, the only option for a fast prime is the Sigma 20/1.8

That being said: The EF-s 17-55 IS also comes to mind here...

Hop over to the Performing Arts forum; quite a few guys shoot with some or all of the stuff I mentioned.

IMO a 85/1.2 is nice, but doesn't add much over the 85/1.8 in this environment.
Also, I'd rather get a Sigma 30 then a 35L, and spend the price difference elsewhere.

Just keep in mind that there is a lot of problems with "bad copies" or just plain non calibrated Sigma lenses, so be prepared to have the time to send the lens back or send it out to be calibrated if you were indeed to get a "bad copy" IME all 3 Sigma lenses I've had mis focused 99% of the time.

I've recently shot two comedy shows for a few guys from The Howard Stern Show and it was so dark. The 85 1.2 II 70-200 2.8 IS and 24mm 1.4 on a FF was perfect. I never had to go over ISO 1600

On a crop I would suggest either the 24, 35 or 50 1.4 or the 85 for a bit longer lens. FYI the 85 1.8 is a great lens, only slightly less IQ then the 1.2 but nearly as sharp

I have the 17-55 thanks for your input bud. I am going to make a purchase soon I am sure I will get the right stuff, i hope.

+1 on the 85 1.8

Here's a couple shots I've gotten at a small sized venue.

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BscPhoto wrote in post #7672779
all 3 Sigma lenses I've had mis focused 99% of the time.

Yeah, there seem to be a few bad ones out there, however, my Sigma 20/1.8 focusses just as accurate as my EF 28/1.8 and EF 50/1.4 on my 1D, and needs less micro adjustment on my 1D3 then those two...

René Damkot wrote in post #7676441
Yeah, there seem to be a few bad ones out there, however, my Sigma 20/1.8 focusses just as accurate as my EF 28/1.8 and EF 50/1.4 on my 1D, and needs less micro adjustment on my 1D3 then those two...

+1 on the sigma 20mm 1.8, my favorite to take to shows. I owned a sigma 30 1.4 and sold it. I was not that happy with the focus consistency.

I don't see how you could use a 85mm on a crop indoors unless it's a large venue. When I shoot shows I try to get up front and really need something wider than 35mm.

That said, i'd suggest 24L for small venues and/or a 50 1.4 for larger ones.

braidkid wrote in post #7678441
I don't see how you could use a 85mm on a crop indoors unless it's a large venue. When I shoot shows I try to get up front and really need something wider than 35mm.

That said, i'd suggest 24L for small venues and/or a 50 1.4 for larger ones.

I guess it's relative to how big is big? The venue I shot at holds around 150-200 people. I wouldn't call that big, but I guess it's not really "small" either. 85mm would give a nice tight body shot like the ones I posted. Really depends which kind of shots you want.


EDIT: Forgot to mention, I was probably less than 10 feet away from the performers, if that gives you an idea of the distance.

do you have an idea of the distance and framing you want? 'cause once you know that, you can pick out the focal lengths that work for you, and there's a fast lens for almost every focal length between 20 and 200mm.