EOS R10 Lens recommendations for concert and band photography

[WordmanPhoto]

I have a Canon R10. Looking for guidance on lenses for my R10. I do mostly rock n roll performance photography and band photography.

cant afford these 3000 lenses yet 

[stevet1]

WordmanPhoto,

You can get an RF 50mm f/1.8 for about $170 and an RF 35mm f/1.8 for about $450.

Those should be pretty good for low light photography indoors, if you can get relatively close to the performers.

Steve Thomas

[JayLT]

Don't dismiss all the EF lenses on the market as well, that can open up some third-party options as well as a much more robust used market.  An EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS II is a great lens and can be had for around $1000 USD on the used market.  These EF lenses work just as well, or better, on the R-bodies in my opinion as they can be used with the much more advanced AF systems

[Tronhard]

Hi and welcome to the forum:
When you are photographing can you describe the conditions under which you do so?  Particularly how close, the light etc.
Also what do you produce?  Images for social media, for digital display, small-to-moderate prints, large detailed prints.
Thank you!

[WordmanPhoto]

Thanks for the information. Most shots are in an amphora large club setting with pretty low light conditions except for the colored lights used. I’m usually anywhere between 5’ to 17’. 

[rs-eos]

If needing to get up close (isolate subjects), I would recommend a zoom lens with wide aperture (e.g. 24-70mm f/2.8).  Even with that wide aperture though, you'll probably need to raise ISO.  If though you want to take images capturing more of the scene, a prime lens with a wider aperture would do very well (e.g. RF 35mm f/1.8)

[Tronhard]

Yes, not only is the distance to subject an issue, but whether the shots are going to be head shots, full individuals or the whole band.  If all of the above (which I suspect that like me you are thinking) then a fast zoom lens might be the way to go.
Since we don't seem to have a definitive budget - "can't afford those $3k lenses" leaves a lot of wriggle room, it's hard to really know what is and is not affordable.   If the need is for rock-bottom investment, a somewhat left-field option, apart from the economical and fast prime R units so far mentioned, might be the EF-S 17-55 IS USM f/2.8.  Yes, it's old, but it's a great lens (often considered the best EF-S lens) and with a fast aperture.  That might leave enough funds for something like an EF 70-200 f/4 MkII, which is small, reasonably fast and possibly affordable.
I grant that without a real budget this is all speculation...

[WordmanPhoto]

Thank you sir. Budget wise I’m comfortable with say $999 to $1400. What you have suggested already sounds like it fits the bill. What are your thoughts on used lenses? From a camera store not person.

[Tronhard]

Glad this works for you.  I believe in the US KEH.com is the place to look - they sell used and refurb gear with a warranty and have a good reputation by all accounts.

[Waddizzle]

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@WordmanPhoto wrote:

I have a Canon R10. Looking for guidance on lenses for my R10. I do mostly rock n roll performance photography and band photography.

cant afford these 3000 lenses yet 

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First and foremost, you need to clearly state a budget.  What lens do you currently own?

If you are only seeing the most expensive, then where are you looking?  Canon offers several “STM” lenses under $1000 USD, and most retail for around $500 USD, or so.