which lens for gigs

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Dan74

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Daniel
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Hi guys
After much deliberation decide to go fo a 18-50 2.8 sort of range for some up coming gig coverage
Anyone got experience of the different brands,Which is best and which to avoid
The nikon 17-55 is very expensive over the likes of the sigma 18-50 but is it worth it? Anyone used the tamron or tokina equivalents
Any input greatly appreciated
Cheers
Dan
 
I've had good results with the sigma 18-50mm f2.8 at gigs but it doesnt seem to be available anymore (replaced with the 17-50 OS f2.8?)

Primes are definitely king for low light though
 
I personally prefer to use fast primes for gigs, I find 2.8 is very often not fast enough. Are these indoor or outdoor events?
 
In that case I'd definitely go for a fast prime, you can quite comfortably do one with a 50mm f1.8 depending on where you're going to be situated and how far that is away from the stage, etc.
 
Hi. I use 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8 (mostly the 50mm). Light is usually crappy at gigs. Otherwise you really have to push the ISO to as high as it will go.
 
Photodiva said:
Hi. I use 50mm 1.4 and 85mm 1.8 (mostly the 50mm). Light is usually crappy at gigs. Otherwise you really have to push the ISO to as high as it will go.
Click to expand...

arent the images produced by the 50mm 1.8 really soft? I have heard you need to set it to about f4 to get s sharp image.
 
Robbo said:
arent the images produced by the 50mm 1.8 really soft? I have heard you need to set it to about f4 to get s sharp image.
Click to expand...

Not true at all. Where have you heard that?

Mine was tack sharp at 1.8, before it fell apart on me.. but that's another story altogether.
 
Dan74 said:
Hi guys
After much deliberation decide to go fo a 18-50 2.8 sort of range for some up coming gig coverage
Anyone got experience of the different brands,Which is best and which to avoid
The nikon 17-55 is very expensive over the likes of the sigma 18-50 but is it worth it? Anyone used the tamron or tokina equivalents
Any input greatly appreciated
Cheers
Dan
Click to expand...

17-55 is a FANTASTIC lens.
 
I used the sigma 24-70 F/2.8 and the Nikon 50mm f1.8 on a D200 for almost all my live work. Check my member gallery for examples.
I had the 18-50 but found it a bit short.
 
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Something 1.4 would be good! Often 2.8 won't get the shots in poor light even with 3200 ISO. 50mm 1.8 is a great lens but not so great close up as you can't get a lot of the performer in.
I use a 30mm 1.4L which is fantastic but has no zoom so I have to be quick on my toes!

Dunc
 
Robbo said:
arent the images produced by the 50mm 1.8 really soft? I have heard you need to set it to about f4 to get s sharp image.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I'd agree about them being soft - its hard enough in a dark gig atmosphere anyway, so sharp is not really that important. Its the autofocus which is the major problem, trying to get it to lock on to something moving in poor light!
 
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