View Full Version : Lens Suggestions for Gig Photography Please
I've managed to get a photo pass for the Astoria later on this week and have decided to rent a lens for the evening. I currently have is the 50mm f1.8 and the 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM. The former is good in low light but I do have trouble getting a good sharp focus sometimes and the latter doesn't really perform well enough in low light.
Anyway after checking out some lenses the best choice I've found seems to be the 24-70mm f2.8 L. Can anyone who uses this lens recommend it or any others I might have missed out on.
the 24-70 is excellent but i've not used it for this type of photography (i normaly have ample light and shoot it stopped down...)
what camera do you have? you may want to consider one which handles noise better at higher ISO....
good luck :)
Got a 400D which for gigs I always shoot as ISO 1200. Could never afford anything other than an entry level SLR and I've often heard the 400D complimented for its low light capabilities.
The 24-70 is a fantastic lens if you don't need longer, or if you want to go wider the 17-55 2.8 IS would be the next choice imo.
callmecheez
15-05-2007, 11:54
the 50mm prime lens is fantastic for gig photography and cheap. but obviously fixed at 50mm.
Matholwch
15-05-2007, 12:04
Should imagine that the 50mm 1.4 is better, as the 1.8 focusing can be frustrating.
ISO 1200? I think mine only has 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 options?
I'm pretty sure the entry level dSLR's don't handle very well above ISO400... 30D, 5D, 1D etc i believe are a lot better. I just thought as you're renting a lens you may be tempted to rent a camera too :-)
I meant 1600:p
Thought about renting another camera but I'd only be picking it up hours before the gig so wouldn't have enough time to really familiarise myself with it. That and if the 30/5's turn out to be significantly better than my 400 in low light it'll only serve to upset me and/or make me spend money I don't have on upgrading.
You only really need your ISO at 800 if you're shooting using RAW.
Your 50mm 1.8 will be fine for the Astoria if you can move about slightly.
It depends what shots you want to take.
I've shot in the Astoria pit a few times and have either used my 50mm 1.8 or 100mm 2.00.
I like using the 100mm for portrait close ups though so the 50 would be fine for general shots.
I've also got a 50mm 1.4 but I've had three different lenses recently and they've all given me trouble when focusing so I don't trust it when i've only three songs to shoot.
If you arent getting paid for your shots I wouldn't bother renting anything.
I usually have my settings on manual with ISO at 800, Aperture at about 2.00 and speed at about 80 unless it's really bright lights then I adjust my speed to suit.Shooting in RAW means my exposure doesn't have to be perfect.
Who are you shooting?
Thanks for the advice, in fact the last time I took some gig photos was at the Barfly in Camden and it was very dark so I shot ISO1600 both raw and jpeg and the raw files came out with tons of noise which I assume or at least had assumed could be post processed away (once I'd worked out how to use photoshop properly!)
Although I'm not being paid I'm trying to build a decent enough portfolio to hopefully get paid in the future. Its The Maccabees gig on Thursday night so I thought as it was the first fairly high profile band I'd managed to shoot I'd rent a nice lens to go along with the gig. I think I might feel a little self conscious just turning up with my 400D and 50mm 1.8 :|
I'd save my money to buy a lens in the future.
I doubt there will be a lot of people in the pit anyway and it doesn't matter what you are using.
I use a 5D but I've shot in a pit with a Nikon D50 so it's about the same.
I'd also stick with what i had if it was my first time in a decent sized venue as you wont be able to use flash and will have to shoot what you need in the first three songs as you will be kicked out after that.
Hopefully you'll have decent light but I've shot their twice where I've had rubbish light and couldn't do anything with the shots.
Don't be afraid to use a flash in smaller venues like the Barfly.I'm shooting Hello Saferide at Water Rats tonight and I'll certainly be using one there.
Busy week as I've got Lucky Soul at Bush Hall tomorrow then the Great Escape Festival in Brighton Thursday to Saturday!
A stupid tip that you probably know already for a large venue with a pit is to get in early to shoot both (?) support bands.
It doesn't matter if you don't get great results as you can always delete them anyway.It gives you a chance of working out how far you are from the band and what shots you can get with your lenses for 6 extra songs before you have to do it properly.
I always shoot supports if I haven't been to a venue before so I begin to feel at home by the time my band of choice arrives.
I've so far shot every band playing at the shows I've been to. It all helps pad out my rather pitiful portfolio. I know Jack Penate is supporting so I'll definately get there in time to shoot both:thumbs:
Do you have a website or your pictures on Flickr?
My Flickr site needs updating with the last few gigs I've been to and I've already got a friend ready to knock me up a website once I've got a decent enough set of photos.
It's always worth uploading your shots to Flickr.
I just had a message today from someone at the US magazine Spin as they were wanting to use one of my Bonde Do Role shots for their magazine.
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