concert and travel lens, which to rent?

[JWCustomPhotography]

In april, I might have a concert to shoot at warehouse live. I have only been there once or twice and only as a patron so I am not sure how the place is set up. The next day I get on a plane and head to Las Vegas for the big rockabilly event Viva Las Vegas.

I have shot the Vegas strip before with my equipment now, and I don't have any shots I feel I "have to get" when I go this time, so my focus is going to be on the cars, music, and the people. I don't know the scale of the venues that they will be using or how close or far ill be stuck from the action.

I have a kit 28-135 and a 50 1.8 right now and I am looking to purchase a lens in the next couple of months, but for right now I am looking to rent a lens to cover me for this local show, and my trip to vegas.

I have heard 30mm for shows, 50mm for shows, and seen folks with 70-200's for shows. Ive used my 50 as a walkaround lens for car shows (though its not quite wide enough) and festivals and such before with decent success. My main gripe with my 50 is its slow focus.

This leads me torn between a 30, a better 50 (both of which appear on my possibly to buy list) and a 70-200 2.8.

From what I have read and everything, I plan to use Photo Rental Source. I would really like to get away with renting (or buying if it just worked out right) one lens, but if I really felt I had to, I could probably get away with 2 but I really do not want to go that route.

What are yalls thoughts?

[JWCustomPhotography]

and one that I am currently thinking might fit the bill well, the 24-70 2.8

assuming its not too slow

[prncfarquad]

I love my 24-70 but shooting a couple of blues concerts I really wish I could have opened it up a little more. Here is one from the Gourd's show in Houston a couple of months ago
24-70 @ 70mm, f2.8, 1/160 ISO 12,800. had to run noiseware on it but still a 1.4 lens would have been nice so I could lower the ISO



Hopefully Abel will comment cause he is incredible at concert photography.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by prncfarquad

I love my 24-70 but shooting a couple of blues concerts I really wish I could have opened it up a little more. Here is one from the Gourd's show in Houston a couple of months ago
24-70 @ 70mm, f2.8, 1/160 ISO 12,800. had to run noiseware on it but still a 1.4 lens would have been nice so I could lower the ISO



Hopefully Abel will comment cause he is incredible at concert photography.

I'm curious as well. I usually shoot the small venues and he suggested a 30 1.4, but I don't know what to expect for an opening act at warehouse live.

On the same token I would be willing to take a hit on speed (maybe) to have a better suited lens for Vegas, only because the 2 events span exactly a week and I'd prefer to just rent one lens, though 2 may be an option.

Sidenote: how were the gourds. I've wanted to see them but haven't pulled the trigger.

[venchka]

Indoors. Animated subjects. Questionable lighting. Speed wins. You can always stop down. You can never stop UP.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by venchka

Indoors. Animated subjects. Questionable lighting. Speed wins. You can always stop down. You can never stop UP.

Thanks. That almost helps.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by venchka

Indoors. Animated subjects. Questionable lighting. Speed wins. You can always stop down. You can never stop UP.

Maybe the 35 1.4 ... And deal with it if it's too wide in las Vegas.

Vegas is the real questionable scenario I suppose.

Or I use the 50 1.8 at warehouse live and rent a Vegas specific option.

[venchka]

The Laws of Physics win everytime.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by venchka

The Laws of Physics win everytime.

And mr. Murphy.

[Dobick]

depends -- do you like to shoot wide or tight?

24-70 is a good general lens, and you have the 50 if you need to get faster.

a 135 f/2 might give you the additional reach that you need to make tight portraits of the individuals on stage.

your 7d is going to handle the noise ok as long as you don't have to push the exposure too much.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by Dobick

depends -- do you like to shoot wide or tight?

24-70 is a good general lens, and you have the 50 if you need to get faster.

a 135 f/2 might give you the additional reach that you need to make tight portraits of the individuals on stage.

your 7d is going to handle the noise ok as long as you don't have to push the exposure too much.

I think I want to be somewhere around the wide end, and 50mm probably being as long as I want to go, at least for the warehouse live show. Vegas is another story and another unknown. I am trying to get ahold of a 28 1.8 right now if I could scrape the funds together. That and my 50 I think I could knock most things out, then rent a lens for Las Vegas which is the major unknown.

[zachary]

50mm. It is the answer to every "what lens should I use" question.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Originally Posted by zachary

50mm. It is the answer to every "what lens should I use" question.

While this is quite true a lot of times...

On my crop body it's not true all the time.

[crfitchjr]

I shoot a lot of entertainers and this is my personal preference. I like tight shots. I use an APS format camera. I find a 50-150, 2.8 Sigma works better for me than a 70-200. I use a 18-55, 2.8 if I'm real close and I like a 50, 1.8 over the 30 mm. Again, these are what work for me. I can't seem to be able to capture what I want using wide lenses.

[JWCustomPhotography]

Well, crunch time is getting near... and Im more focused on what I need to shoot warehouse live.

If it was the usual small bars and such, id hit the 35 1.4 to rent.

I considered buying a 28 1.8 but I am not sure if I can scrape the cash together.

I dont want to rent a better 50 than the 1.8 because I already know its on my "to buy" list.

still wondering about the 16-35 and the 24-70 2.8's as they are 2 lenses that are in front running for purchase later, but is 2.8 too slow, I know it would be for the smaller places I have to work in, but again, its been a LONG time since I have seen a show at warehouse live and I have no clue what lighting to expect.

I guess unless someone comes up with what to expect venue specific, ill grab the 35 1.4 and drag the 50 1.8 with me and hope for the best... just really concerned that the venue is too large for a 35 mm. hmmmm

thanks to everyone that has invested time thus far, I really do appreciate it.