Need help choosing lens.

[disruptfam]

So i want to learn to shoot music gigs.

Firstly i would love to hear any tips for this type of photography

and secondly i guess i will need the right tools to get the shots so...

Im not sure which lens i will need for that. Atm i can only afford one Good quality Lens.

Details:
Camera D7000

I will be getting a FLASH just not sure which one sb700 or sb900?

Not 100% sure but from what I've been told

Small stage/Venues
Low light venues.
I will have access to most if not all areas.


Lenses i had in mind

24-70 2.8 = 36-105
24-120 f/4 VR = 36-180
70-200 2.8 VR2 = 105-300

Budget is $2000

I was deciding between the 24-70 2.8 and the 24-120 f/4 VR

As i thought i would need the range/zoom as i don't want to be in the face of the performers.

I was leaning towards the 24-120 f/4 VR

I'm assuming the venues will have low/bad quality light.

So yeah there's my dilemma

suggestions and help is appreciated

cheers!

[theYipster]

For concerts, especially if you're not going to be near or on stage, you're best bet is the 70-200 F/2.8. It'll give you the most reach, which in turn gives you more flexibility in where to shoot from. Avoid the 24-120 F/4, as shooting concerts means often shooting in low and challenging light. VR can compensate for static subjects, but if you want sharp shots of the performers, you'll need the faster glass to get a fast enough shutter speed. VR can't freeze action like a fast shutter speed.

Also keep in mind that rapidly changing stage lighting can add to the challenge of shooting concerts. Auto ISO will be you're friend, as will a wider aperture range (another reason to opt for 2.8 glass.) VR can be useful in some creative applications, say where you want some motion blur from the performers but not from the static objects on stage.

Lastly, keep in mind that the lenses you've chosen are all full-frame / FX format. The 70-200 is a great bet for both formats, but the focal lengths of the standard zooms you've chosen (the 24-70 and 24-120) don't translate well to the DX format, as they loose much of their wide angle perspective. Do you have plans to upgrade to a full frame camera down the road? If not, consider the 17-55 2.8 DX instead of the 24-70 or 24-120 for a more useful standard zoom focal range.

[Mescalamba]

Focal range is up to you and up to how far you will be from stage. Some ppl are almost on it, so they shoot with wide-angles.

Though, what you need is fast lens, so f2.8 and less is good (yes its possible to shoot even with fixed lens, not zoom, just need bit of space to move and practice). D7000 has very impressive high-iso, but I would still prefer fast lens.

70-200 is considered as "must" for this kind of photos. Though, remember, it will be 105-300 in terms of FF field of view. But usually isnt problem to get bit far away from stage.

[itznfb]

Honestly I'd go with nikon 35mm 1.8 dx; nikon 50mm 1.8; rokinon 85mm 1.4; nikon 80-200mm 2.8

That will bring you in well under $2000. If you're going to use a flash you'll want the 800 or 900. The 6/700 will be near useless in mid-large size venues.

[disruptfam]

For concerts, especially if you're not going to be near or on stage, you're best bet is the 70-200 F/2.8. It'll give you the most reach, which in turn gives you more flexibility in where to shoot from. Avoid the 24-120 F/4, as shooting concerts means often shooting in low and challenging light. VR can compensate for static subjects, but if you want sharp shots of the performers, you'll need the faster glass to get a fast enough shutter speed. VR can't freeze action like a fast shutter speed.

Also keep in mind that rapidly changing stage lighting can add to the challenge of shooting concerts. Auto ISO will be you're friend, as will a wider aperture range (another reason to opt for 2.8 glass.) VR can be useful in some creative applications, say where you want some motion blur from the performers but not from the static objects on stage.

Lastly, keep in mind that the lenses you've chosen are all full-frame / FX format. The 70-200 is a great bet for both formats, but the focal lengths of the standard zooms you've chosen (the 24-70 and 24-120) don't translate well to the DX format, as they loose much of their wide angle perspective. Do you have plans to upgrade to a full frame camera down the road? If not, consider the 17-55 2.8 DX instead of the 24-70 or 24-120 for a more useful standard zoom focal range.

Thats the exact answer i needed as i was a lil confused with VR and Speed.

Yeah i realized i choose the FF Lenses and the plan is to go FF in 2 years.

I did have the 17-55 2.8 in mind but atm i can only afford 1 pro lens. If i had the $ i would go the 17-55 and the 70-200.

Focal range is up to you and up to how far you will be from stage. Some ppl are almost on it, so they shoot with wide-angles.

Though, what you need is fast lens, so f2.8 and less is good (yes its possible to shoot even with fixed lens, not zoom, just need bit of space to move and practice). D7000 has very impressive high-iso, but I would still prefer fast lens.

70-200 is considered as "must" for this kind of photos. Though, remember, it will be 105-300 in terms of FF field of view. But usually isnt problem to get bit far away from stage.

Yeap. so 70-200 should be in my bag.

Honestly I'd go with nikon 35mm 1.8 dx; nikon 50mm 1.8; rokinon 85mm 1.4; nikon 80-200mm 2.8

That will bring you in well under $2000. If you're going to use a flash you'll want the 800 or 900. The 6/700 will be near useless in mid-large size venues.

I own the 35mm 1.8 but not the other primes/zoom. Could i get away with a 35mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4 (borrowed) and a 70-200 2.8?

As for flash i will get the sb900

cheers

[itznfb]

I own the 35mm 1.8 but not the other primes/zoom. Could i get away with a 35mm 1.8 and 50mm 1.4 (borrowed) and a 70-200 2.8?

As for flash i will get the sb900

cheers

You could get away with just a 35 or 50mm. The longer the focal length the more light you need which is why I suggest the 85mm.

If you already own the 35 then the 70-200 vr1 and rokinon 85 are still within your budget.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S

[disruptfam]

Cheers thanks for the tips ^

I cant get rokinon locally though

[itznfb]

Cheers thanks for the tips ^

I cant get rokinon locally though

Rokinon is also manufactured under other names like Opteka. These lenses aren't as good as the nikon/canon version but in a concert setup with lots of dark strangly lit shots you won't really need the higher IQ of the name brand lenses. The rokinon is the only (non nikon) 85mm I've had experience with and its actually quite good.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S