Overgaard Posted April 24, 2007 Share #1 Posted April 24, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anybody have good experiences with lenses for concerts. Usually one will have to work from the front of the scene (often with monitors in the way) or from a very distant location. Further, the light is low and/or shifting and people on stage might move a lot around. I've recently tried 80mm F/1.4 and with the 2X extender (making it into a 160 mm F/2.8). I have also tried with the 400mm Telyt F/6.8. I'm considering the 180mm F/2.0, the 180mm F/2.8 but I'm also looking at the modular set 280mm F/2.8 - 800mm F/5.6. Ideally it would be great to work from a distance (for example by the sound mixer or at a balcony) in a good clear position without monitors in the way, with a fast lens, yet able to get (very) close with a tele. I'm basically talking portrait lens from 10-20 meters away. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 24, 2007 Posted April 24, 2007 Hi Overgaard, Take a look here Rock 'n' Roll lens for live concerts?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
cstlwtr Posted April 24, 2007 Share #2 Posted April 24, 2007 Hi Thorsten, Here in Los Angeles alot shooters use the 180 f/2, in combination with the 1/4 and 2x, is what most shooters use along with some wide angle's. Best, Wayne Serrano 415.244.9620 wayne@wayneserrano.com http://www.wayneserrano.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisweeks Posted April 24, 2007 Share #3 Posted April 24, 2007 um, yeah, most of us shoot canons! the 400/2.8 from the sound board is quite nice! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted April 24, 2007 Share #4 Posted April 24, 2007 Thorsten, What's your budget and have you got a pass? For mere mortals like me, I take my R9/DMR 80-200/4 ROM and shoot at ASA 400 (- 2EV if necessary). This I can hand hold at 1/60th wide open and with a breath hold, one can get pretty good images from the 20th row. I would love to take my 280 APO telyt in, but security would stop me!!! Here's some shots with the 80-200. Best wishes, Charlie Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/22391-rock-n-roll-lens-for-live-concerts/?do=findComment&comment=237746'>More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted April 24, 2007 Share #5 Posted April 24, 2007 Does anybody have good experiences with lenses for concerts. Usually one will have to work from the front of the scene (often with monitors in the way) or from a very distant location. Further, the light is low and/or shifting and people on stage might move a lot around. I've recently tried 80mm F/1.4 and with the 2X extender (making it into a 160 mm F/2.8). I have also tried with the 400mm Telyt F/6.8. I'm considering the 180mm F/2.0, the 180mm F/2.8 but I'm also looking at the modular set 280mm F/2.8 - 800mm F/5.6. Ideally it would be great to work from a distance (for example by the sound mixer or at a balcony) in a good clear position without monitors in the way, with a fast lens, yet able to get (very) close with a tele. I'm basically talking portrait lens from 10-20 meters away. Thorsten, I had a lot of luck with a 180 and a 1.4 extender. I would get there early and secure a front position, (stand up concerts), in this case, and good use plyable wax earplugs. (The best shooting spot always seemed to be from in front of the speakers.) I would shoot tungsten film, and never use flash. The film 3M 640T I don't think is made any more. But pushed to 1000. I always shot at 1/500th and the reuslts were always tack sharp. The colors were accurate as the colors of the concert lighting. Flsh would have eliminated them. Performers don't like flash during performance also. Rafael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
telewatt Posted April 25, 2007 Share #6 Posted April 25, 2007 It depents, what you like to get on the Film.. ..normally it is nice to do the pictures a little bit from the bottom toward the top.. ..but if you can't get near to the stage you have to do it with longer lenses... I use the AA 90mm lens for the music part....and the 180mm is for security... regards, Jan P.S. look at my webside, there are some pictures... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted April 25, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted April 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks. Very interesting advice. When in front of stage everything from 35mm to 90mm will do and 180mm is almost too long. (Usually photographers are allowed for the first three pieces in front of stage - and never using flash). What I'm looking for is something that will accomplish this type of photo (as the enclosed) from a higher angel at large concert halls. And that usually mens from way back as you can't place a ladder in a crowd anyway. I learned this photo was done by George Chin and he tells on his webpage that his range of lenses goes to 300mm - and all his lenses (from 15mm and up) are f/2.8 which is kind of handy if and when you need to figure out the light. All this F/1.4, F/2, F/4.0 drives you nuts, shifting back and forth, compared to just having one parameter. I like action (which is usually implied i rock concerts) og at least some of the dynamic that live music should have, unsharp backgrounds and simplicity. I like that the enclosed photo has those elements. A portrait of Snoop Dogg up his nose where he is frozen by a 1/500 second is not what I am looking for. Chris' 400mm suggestion (Canon - what the f... are you up to?) lens sounds excellent. A 28-500mm F/1.4 zoom is what I wish for, not heavier than 500 g. (is anyone from Leica reading this). Anyway, I learn something from each poster, so don't stop them coming. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/22391-rock-n-roll-lens-for-live-concerts/?do=findComment&comment=237851'>More sharing options...
Overgaard Posted April 25, 2007 Author Share #8 Posted April 25, 2007 Charlie Chan, The budget is... well, it's Leica. I wrongfully thought the complete 280-800mm modular set was 10,000 Euro or thereabout though. I looked and learned earlier today that that will only cover the lens shade and then a coffee to celebrate the acquisitation of that lens shade - a full set is more like 30,000 Euro. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisweeks Posted April 25, 2007 Share #9 Posted April 25, 2007 @thorsten... most of the time i don't have to shoot from the soundboard. http://barbecuediguana.com/archives/2007/04/16/music-and-no-sleep/ 16-35/2.8L and 85/1.2L ... on 5d's ... at 400 iso. the 70-200/2.8L from the pit is just too much glass and not really needed. i hope you're not planning on shooting film on a wireimage assignment! http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=AME===270260 no, i couldn't forget the leicas ... don't worry! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest licht Posted April 25, 2007 Share #10 Posted April 25, 2007 I use the Nikon D2X and D200 for concerts with the AF-S 17-55/2.8DX at one body and the AF-D 85/1.4 or AF-S 70-200/2.8 VR at the other body. Also in the bag: AF-S 12-24/4.0 DX (for pictures of the audience or views of the whole stage), AF-S 28-70/2.8, AF-D 50/1.4, AF-S 105/2.8 VR Only "divas" like Kyle Minogue, Maria Carey, Cher, Rod Stewart, David Bowie and last week Keith Urban don´t like the photogs to stand in the pit, that´s the time when I use the AF-S 300/2.8 (with crop 1,5 it´s like 450mm). I like stage shots with normal to wide lenses much more as they give the viewer the feeling to be in the action. The pictures with 300mm look like the view through a telescop from far away. Look here for Justin with a little bit more action (2003): Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/22391-rock-n-roll-lens-for-live-concerts/?do=findComment&comment=238038'>More sharing options...
garyp Posted April 25, 2007 Share #11 Posted April 25, 2007 No idea about his equipment used but this guy :: Brian Rasic :: has some very good images. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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