Lens for music photography in small venues

peejay1986

Doing music photography is something I'd like to get in to. I'm going to be going to a few gigs with my brother's band to take some shots and I'm considering investing in another lens to suit this.

Currently, of the lenses I have, the only real option for such a venue (pub or club) would be my Canon 50mm 1.8. I've used it a lot but not in these conditions. I'm worried that firstly the 50mm might mean that the shots are too close. I won't have a lot of room to move back and take the shots. Secondly, would this lens be good enough for the type of lighting conditions I'd face in such venues?

I'm seriously considering buying a Canon 25mm 2.8 lens before Christmas. Mainly for use around the table and taking family pics. However would there be a better option that could do both the everyday job (like family gatherings) and the gig photography? Similar in a way to the 50mm 1.8, but the 50mm means that taking shots around the dinner table can be too close.

I'm mostly looking on Adverts and eBay as my budget is restricted. Really don't want to go over €150 as that's the price I'm seeing the 25mm 2.8's go for on eBay.

I should probably also say that I use a Canon 450D body.

Any help would be appreciated. Relatively new to anything specialised in the photography world.

Borderfox

Its hard to get what you want for the budget, something like a 20-28mm f1.8 would fit the bill or a 30mm f1.4 but these would be out of budget. maybe something old and manual might come in cheaper

50mm f1.8 is a great lens and should work fine in bad light, might take a bit to focus but nothing out of the ordinary

peejay1986

Cheers for the advice. I love the 50mm lens but I've just no experience using it in these conditions and probably won't get a chance to do so before it's needed. Think I might just go with it and hope for the best. Thanks again

Thecageyone

Your camera's noise handling can often come into play more so than the aperture of your lens. I recently bought a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 which would be great for dim lighting .... only my camera [D200] is pretty crap beyond ISO 400. I have to make a lot of comprimises even with that lens, even at times with my 50mm f/1.8. I don't know much about canon cameras, but your 400D can't be as bad as my d200 for noise issues, I don't think many cameras could be, fine as I think my camera is in general. Up the ISO on top of a good lens if possible.

John

I generally use the 50mm 1.8 on my 400D. I tend to expose around 1/80, ISO 400, f1.8. I don't think you'll have any hassle with yours. If there are other bands on before the one you want to shoot, check your settings during their set.

If you're using autofocus, make sure it focusses on the artist and not the microphone in front of their face. Nothing worse than coming home with perfect shots of a mic with a blurry face behind it.

AnimalRights

John wrote: »

If you're using autofocus, make sure it focusses on the artist and not the microphone in front of their face. Nothing worse than coming home with perfect shots of a mic with a blurry face behind it.

+1
So many people fail on this front.

unreggd

eBay search

Just FYI thats the UK site, so check that they actually post to Ireland! 9/10 they do for me
Uk site has a lot more stuff goin, and postage isnt too much extra

peejay1986

Cheers for the advice everyone. Been really helpful. At the minute I'm living in UK so buying off eBay UK isn't a problem. Was looking at this...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sigma-F1-8-EX-DG-Macro-Canon-fit-and-HOYA-filter-/180588625613?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN&hash=item2a0bebbecd#ht_500wt_1156

Opinions? What would be a good price for this second hand?

minkynuts

I do similar session work in Studios and theaters and my lens of choice is the Canon 80mm 1.8, thought by many as the best non L lens made. I know its that much over your budget, but just save a bit longer

Rob

sheesh

peejay1986 wrote: »

Cheers for the advice. I love the 50mm lens but I've just no experience using it in these conditions and probably won't get a chance to do so before it's needed. Think I might just go with it and hope for the best. Thanks again

just go to a dingy pub with a singer and try it out or failing that just a night out in a dingey pub you will probably have to set shutter speed manually and hope for the best its great fun to do

unreggd

OP, if you're only startin out doin gigs I'd stick with the 50mm for a while, so you get used to sussin out the settings

every gig will be different, even a week straight in the one venue would have contrasting lighting

But for smaller venues, width is what you need, so defo go for a wide 1.8 if possible

joepenguin

I was gonna bid on that same lens lol. What cam do you have op? If its not full frame id say the 17-50 tamron or 18-50 sigma is the way to go. They can be had for £150 if you are patient but if you can stretch to £200 you will have a little change and get one a lot handier. Nothing worse than been outbid by a few pence!
Id love a sigma 30mm 1.4 myself but they are just that bit pricey. Sometimes the 2.8 of the zooms arent good enough for low light but fall within budget.
If you are in the uk check out the london camera exchange. Ive seen a sigma 20mm 1.8 for 189.99 in one store and a tamron 28-75 2.8 for the same. Pretty much ebay prices and you get to have a play about.
The 50mm 1.8 is an awesome lens but will be too tight for what you want id day. Still veeerrrry useful though, if you went with that alone youd miss shots where a wider angle would be needed but the shots you do get you'll love.

peejay1986

joepenguin wrote: »

I was gonna bid on that same lens lol. What cam do you have op? If its not full frame id say the 17-50 tamron or 18-50 sigma is the way to go. They can be had for £150 if you are patient but if you can stretch to £200 you will have a little change and get one a lot handier. Nothing worse than been outbid by a few pence!
Id love a sigma 30mm 1.4 myself but they are just that bit pricey. Sometimes the 2.8 of the zooms arent good enough for low light but fall within budget.
If you are in the uk check out the london camera exchange. Ive seen a sigma 20mm 1.8 for 189.99 in one store and a tamron 28-75 2.8 for the same. Pretty much ebay prices and you get to have a play about.
The 50mm 1.8 is an awesome lens but will be too tight for what you want id day. Still veeerrrry useful though, if you went with that alone youd miss shots where a wider angle would be needed but the shots you do get you'll love.

Cheers for the advice. I'm using a 450D body.

Oh there's a LCE branch in Chester. I think I'll give them a call and see what they have in stock.

I was looking at this;

http://www.onestop-digital.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=33728

It's a bit more than I wanted to spend but for that lens I think it might be worth spending that little bit extra, if I can find it! Anyone have any thoughts about it? The reviews for that site seems ok from what I've seen.

EDIT: Just phoned LCE in Chester. No 30mm Sigmas in stock but they're going to try and see how much they could order one in for. Not that optimistic of beating the above prive though.

joepenguin

Yeah you'd pay more than that for a second hand copy. Wonder how they have them so cheap? Any strings such as no warranty or take ages to ship?

peejay1986

joepenguin wrote: »

Yeah you'd pay more than that for a second hand copy. Wonder how they have them so cheap? Any strings such as no warranty or take ages to ship?

I'm struggling to find any significant amount of negative feedback. As expected there's the odd comment complaining but most people seem really happy with them.

I emailed them today and they replied really quickly. Said they offer free delivery and that the lens is brand new. I was wondering if they were maybe reconditioned.

joepenguin

http://www.onestop-digital.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=3

Just seen they are hong kong based. Emailed them asking the final cost of the lens.

peejay1986

joepenguin wrote: »

http://www.onestop-digital.com/index.php?dispatch=pages.view&page_id=3

Just seen they are hong kong based. Emailed them asking the final cost of the lens.

Yeah the HK thing did concern me. I would ideally like the lens by next Friday but no chance if I order from HK.

This is another alternative. Their shipping is £20 I think.

http://panamoz.com/index.php/sigma-30mm-f-1-4-ex-dc-hsm-lens-for-sony-digital-slr-cameras.html?___store=default

joepenguin

If you buy from hong kong wont you have to pay import duty?
Never heard of panamoz, has anyone here or anyone confirm they are legit?

Keep an eye on this as well:
http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/

Thecageyone

joepenguin wrote: »

If you buy from hong kong wont you have to pay import duty?
Never heard of panamoz, has anyone here or anyone confirm they are legit?

Keep an eye on this as well:
http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/

Yup, add on 21% plus a fee for customs having a root and re-sending on to you. I got hit when I bought a flash gun, which was cheap so I didn't mind too much. A decent lens will obviously be hit with much more.

peejay1986

Thecageyone wrote: »

Yup, add on 21% plus a fee for customs having a root and re-sending on to you. I got hit when I bought a flash gun, which was cheap so I didn't mind too much. A decent lens will obviously be hit with much more.

Hmmm. Not good. Probably going to avoid that site. Still trying to find out info on this Panamoz site.

Twiki

According to their website, Onestop-Digital will reimburse the customer any import charges incurred, eg VAT, duty.