Concert Photography

[Actorlife]

Hi guys i'm new here. Great website with loads of info! The Nikon/ Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 is way beyond my budget for now , so i wanted to know which of my lens would be good enough? I have the Nikon D70. I have the following lens Nikon 70-300mm, 100mm 3.5 Vivitar Macro, 90mm 2.5 Tamron Macro, Nikon 24-120mm f/4.5-5.6 ED VR AFS, Nikon 55mm 3.5 Macro, Nikon 70-210mm D lens, Nikon 18-70mm 3.5(kit lens), Ziess 135mm 3.5 and Nikon 50mm 1.8. Out of all of these which two or three would be good enough?

[birddog114]

Hi guys i'm new here. Great website with loads of info! The Nikon/ Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 is way beyond my budget for now , so i wanted to know which of my lens would be good enough? I have the Nikon D70. I have the following lens Nikon 70-300mm, 100mm 3.5 Vivitar Macro, 90mm 2.5 Tamron Macro, Nikon 24-120mm f/4.5-5.6 ED VR AFS, Nikon 55mm 3.5 Macro, Nikon 70-210mm D lens, Nikon 18-70mm 3.5(kit lens), Ziess 135mm 3.5 and Nikon 55mm 3.5. Out of all of these which two or three would be good enough?

Welcome!

The following lenses are suitable for what you're after:

- Nikkor 24-120VR/ Nikkor 70-210/ Nikkor 18-70 and lastly the Tamron 90mm/2.8

Depend on what type of concert you're going to, in or outdoor, lighting, position where you're seated, all the concerts are not the same and lighting also is an important factor to take into account.

Forum has few threads discussion about these types of photography, you may do the search and perhaps more valuable infos there will serve you. BTW, enjoy your stay and keep posting same as sharing your take(s) of the day.

Please also read the FAQ, and adding your location in your profile, this will helps you more in the near future.

[Actorlife]

Thanks Birddog!!! One more question if you don't mind. I can get this Tokina lens for around $350.00 would you recommend it? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... ype=search

Thanks again!

Joe

[Michael]

I do alot of gig photography comprises of 75% of my work and I use primes for the most part usually nothing slower in my lens kit than f2.8 I also like to wack makeshift colour filters to go on my flash incase the gigs lighting is crappy I just set my own mood up with a wireless flash setup.

[jerrysk8]

i usually just take my 50mm 1.8 and it does the job nicely

[elffinarts]

I use the 50mm f1.8 and the 80-200m f2.8 but I'm looking at buying a 55mm f1.2 I've spotted for about $500

[Glen]

Welcome Joe, I think you will find very few have the Tokina 80-200 2.8 as a s/h Nikon the same is not much more and is the real deal.

I would suggest you stick with your 50 1.8 depending on what you want to take photos of eg a whole band, an individual, how close you are, etc

[Actorlife]

Hi guys thanks for all the info. I'm gonna give the 50mm 1.8 a try. Instead of making another thread i wanted to ask what are the difference between these two lens as they are both Nikon 80-200mm 2.8 and both ED and the only thing i see is that the design is different. Is one sharper than the other?

Thanks in advance!

[birddog114]

They are the same in speaking term of quality and built same as sharpness.
The first one is an old 80-200 with P & P and second one is one ring with lens foot.

The second one is great if you want to use it on a tripod, you could not mount the first one on the tripod (No lens foot) or you have to source the aftermarket lens collar somewhere and it ain't cheap.

[birddog114]

Thanks Birddog!!! One more question if you don't mind. I can get this Tokina lens for around $350.00 would you recommend it? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... ype=search

Thanks again!

Joe

Joe,
Sorry! I never try it before and could not give you any comments on it.

[Actorlife]

Thanks birddog! Hopefully i can get one used for a good price.

[xorl]

Also, the 2-ring lens (bottom) focuses faster than the push-pull version..

[Actorlife]

Thanks xorl,

Gonna keep an eyes out for a used 2 ring lens version.

[Michael]

out of all the gigs I've been to where i've been photographing a big zoom like my 70 - 200 has been totally useless, having said that I'm always right up close to the action.

The best lenses are primes 28 2.8 50 1.8 and lenses that cover a range up to 85mm anything over that is really overkill and any focal length over that makes taking decent sharp images really hard in low light conditions.

[elffinarts]

I've had a couple of gig's at the Arena in Brissy where I was able to get up on the rigging structure mid gig to shoot from above and to the side of the stage and the 80-200mm f2.8 was the best option for that. It's a nice alternative to shooting up a singer's nose. lol

[Actorlife]

First of all Thank you to you all you who gave me great input. Well i made my choice. This is a sharp Sigma 70-210mm 2.8 APO lens. Got it on the bay for less than $400.00. Though not as heavy as i thought it would be, but not lite either. 2 rings (separate zoom and manual focus like the Nikon 80-200mm 2.8 ED D). AF is very fast and not that noisy just like my Nikon 70-210 4-5.6 D. Included is a hood, removable tripod collar, nice leather like case and strap. The glass is flawless and lens is in great A- condition. So far i think i got a great deal. Can't wait to start shooting some concerts, sports and nature. My next lens will be the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 XR.







All pictures taken with my Fuji E550.

[gstark]

This is a sharp Sigma 70-210mm 2.8 APO lens.

That's a funnier AFD gag than ours' is.

Seriously, enjoy the new glass, and I hope it works well for you.

Out of curiosity, was there a reason you made your post in all bold? Normally one would just use that for emphasis of some point or other.