Concert Photography

[Zane]

There is a very good chance that I will be able to get a press pass for the Judas Priest/Heaven & Hell/Motorhead tour this summer. I have only shot one other concert - Rob Zombie, in a smaller venue. By the way, Rob Zombie is constantly on the move and it was heck trying to get a decent photo of him.

Could anyone share some experiences or tips on concert photography? This will be at a fairly large venue. Also, I am saving up for a new lens - I just have the stock Canon 18-55 lens. What lens, with a moderate budget in mind, would be a good purchase for specifically concert photography?

[dakwegmo]

How close will you be able to get to the stage? I was able to get some great shots of a local band with a 50mm f/1.8, but it was a small venue, and I was able to get on stage during the show.

[Zane]

I couldn't tell you how close I will be. I can gaurantee I won't be on stage.

[SJH Foto]

I'm not sure how small your budget is, but you can get the 100mm f/2 for about $450. That's cheaper than fast zoom lenses. The 70-200mm f/4 is about twice that, and the 70-200mm f/2.8 is even more. These are Canon lenses-I don't know what you use.

Here are some concert shots I took-I used to be the official photographer for a Beatle tribute band:

[Zane]

I have read on a few photo blogs that the "nifty fifty" that's so popular around these boards is quite good for concert photography. Is that true?

[PhotoNewt]

Regardless of where you are, you need a lens with a large minimal aperture since the photography will involve lots of motion and low light. Unfortunately none of the most appropriate lenses for this job in the Canon line up are cheap!

The ideal lens for this would be EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM - a very large, heavy and expensive lens (almost $1700 or $1200 for the non-IS version) but will yield the best results. A second option for about $1200 is the EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, problem is the one stop loss that is sorely needed for this application.

Sigma offers an alternative version the, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM for about $800, and performance reviews are not bad. Tamaron offers its 70-200mm f/2.8 for about $700 but I am not familiar with the optical performance of this lens.

You can also try some fast Canon primes such as the EF 85mm f/1.8, EF 100mm f/2 or the EF 135mm f/2.8 SF. All offer very good performance and speed in packages from $300-$400. The EF 50mm f/1.8 (or the f/1.4) may not give you enough "reach" if you are far away.

You need to find out for sure WHERE are you going to shoot from. With that infromation you can decide what you really need. Whatever it is, it needs to be FAST!

[SJH Foto]

i think i just said that. Maybe I'm not very good expressing my ideas, but that was what my words and visual aids were trying to convey.

[LightChaser]

The nifty-fifty is a fantastic lens, and you can get it for less than $100.

For a concert you want something that has a max aperture of f/2.8 or larger. If you've got a well lit venue, you might be able to get away with f/4 or f/5.6 like on your kit lens.

If you can afford it, I suggest you get the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM that PhotoNewt suggested. Since you said it'll be a large venue, I'm not sure if the 85mm f/1.8 I use would get you close enough, but you might get away with using an EF-S 50-250 f/4-5.6 if it's bright enough.

[PhotoNewt]

Originally Posted by SJH Foto

i think i just said that. Maybe I'm not very good expressing my ideas, but that was what my words and visual aids were trying to convey.

Sorry, I was just expanding your remarks, you did indeed say that.

[PhotoNewt]

Originally Posted by LightChaser

...If you've got a well lit venue, you might be able to get away with f/4 or f/5.6 like on your kit lens...

Not likely because at such apertures you have only 1/2 to 1/4 or less of the light reaching the sensor so you need to compensate with overly high ISO or slower shutter speed (usually both) and this will keep you from getting sharp, crisp and clean photographs.

Since concerts involve a lot of movement a fast lens is absolutely needed for good results because freezing motion is needed.