Festival music photography

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Hi,

This week I was asked literally at the last minute to photograph at a festival, I was given a press pass for the music acts. They were based over several stages, so some indoors and some out. I used my 7D with a 24-105 for the most of it. I felt well under equipped. But, this was a last minute thing and I couldn't pass it up. I noticed the majority of photographers were using 70-200/ 70-300 and the odd person using a 24-70 or similar lenses, most carried 2 bodies. I was generally treated as an equal, with some moving to allow to take shots and making sure they were not in the way of others. But, some of them just bulldozed their way around and didn't care much for getting in the way of others.

Ideally, what equipment would you use for a music festival with a mixture of low light and normal light situations? ive been asked again to do it in future, so I have been reading about abit more and see many people have conflicting options on which focal lengths you use. It was all new to me and a great experience and I come away with shots I was happy with. But, 100% felt in many situations I could have done with more zoom or faster lenses.
 
I take pretty much the same kit I take to any event job. Two cameras (currently 5D3s) 24-70 on one, and 70-200 on the other, both 2.8. Flash on both bodies, for shots of punters, not of the on-stage action.

Stick a fisheye in the bag as well for crowd shots - plus I have one client who requests lots of fisheye action.

Sometimes I'll take my 85 1.2 if I'm feeling fancy, but usually it's not worth the hassle.
 
I have a friend who does a lot of his photography at all sizes of venues and he goes armed with a load of fast primes. 20/1.8, 24/1.4, 35/1.8, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, that sort of thing. He has them in pouches on some sort of Batman utility belt. Admittedly with two DSLRs on a harness (and he always dresses in black) he looks like Robocop, but he seems to get results.
 
Both of you have suggested variations that many people are conflicted on

Zoom + a good 24-70/similar over fast primes

I could 100% see the benefit to both your suggestions, suppose it comes down to the situation and personal preference.
 
Personal preference (and economics, based on what else you shoot, and the kit you need for that). But also exactly what you're shooting at the festival. If I was just shooting the acts, I may go for more primes. As it is, I'm usually shooting for sponsors, and need lots of different crowd shots, signage, individuals in the crowd, grip and grin shots. It's just easier to have a 24-70 on one body. (I'm lazy).
 
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