Concert photography - advice regarding lens needed

[alexandraphoto1]

Hello guys,

I got the incredible opportunity to photograph concerts and I need your help as I want to buy something that will last - would like to avoid buying million different lenses - the most important info:

- I have Canon EOS R10

- usually my placing will be in front of the stage 

- specific lights - low lights or almost non lighting (black metal concerts)

- from time to time photographing from the crowd - still pretty close - usually no barriers - max. capacity of the venues are 550 people - occasionally 1.5k people

- prefer not to change lenses mid-concert

- would like to have the best quality possible

- budget: 1000 USD

Thank you for all your help,

Alex

[p4pictures]

For low light concert photography the lens aperture is vitally important. You want as fast a lens as possible and the fastest lenses are not zoom lenses.

I would certainly consider the following

RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM - just on/over the top of your budget - gives you zoom range and f/2.8 aperture

RF 35mm F1.8 Macro - you gain 1 1/3-stop of light over the zoom but it's a prime so fixed focal length, but in budget

RF 50mm F1.8 STM - again faster than the zoom, but a prime with fixed focal length you could have both primes inside your budget. 

Lastly, you might want to look at the Sigma range, there are a couple of RF mount lenses that have fast apertures such as the 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary, and also for a wider view the 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary, both would individually be under your budget. There is also the 17-40mm f/1.8 DC ART lens that is possibly outside of the budget, but gives you zoom capability and the f/1.8 aperture. 

RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM 

RF35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM 

RF50mm F1.8 STM 

[ebiggs1]

" low lights or almost non lighting (black metal concerts)"

OK first off keep in mind all photography gear will have its limits. You may be after sometime this is impossible. I don't know how dark a "black metal concert" is so I can not say for certain. But I am going to assume it is pretty dark. Possibly with brilliant flashes of color or light beams of some source.

First, IMHO, the R10 would not be a top choice or my choice for work like that. Being an APS-C it won't have all the low light and higher ISO ability of a FF model like its big brother the R8 (just an example).

Buying super fast lenses like the ones in the f2 and f1.8 range are going to bring other problems like very shallow DOF, if shot wide open. That means a lot of the subject(s) will likely be OOF. If there is a lot of action slower SS will introduce blurry images, too.

Again I have no idea of the challenges since I have never done it but 'normally' lighted concerts are hard enough shoot. Could you post a sample?

[alexandraphoto1]

Hello,

Thank you for your insights.

https://youtu.be/GPHjhJi3-SM?si=mRiY3JRWqkpOGnR9

Attaching the video from one of the concerts you can see the lighting - a lot of red and blue.

If not R10 then what would you recommend? I can get a new camera in the end.

I would like to avoid ending up with an effect with nothing visible on the photo or spending hours fixing it on the computer.

Thank you

Alex

[ebiggs1]

"... an APS-C it won't have all the low light and higher ISO ability of a FF model like its big brother the R8 (just an example)."

There is a small advantage of using a FF model VS using a crop camera. Of course it does depend on model VS model that you are comparing but as I mentioned the R8 which is a FF model may have an advantage when you need to shoot low light images. Generally, the two, R10 and R8, are considered twins except for their sensor size.

However, even buying the R8 still may not get you what you want but it will have a better chance, IMHO. Did you mention whether you want stills or video? Stills are going to be an extreme challenge from the sample video you offered with any camera/lens. I am not a video photographer so I am not the best source of advice for it. 

Bottom line is you need a fast lens f2 or better and a camera that has good high ISO ability.

[March411]

If not R10 then what would you recommend? I can get a new camera in the end.

The EOS R6 MkII would serve you much better in those shooting conditions but you will also need to focus on your exposure if all the sets have the same backlights as the one featured in the video. Spot metering on the faces will give you a better chance of nailing the exposure of the performers. 

Right now the R6 MkII is available on the Canon refurbished marketplace for $1700 which is a great deal. As ebiggs suggested you will need a fast lens, I would look at a f2.8, there are also some excellent choices for refurbished lenses on the Canon site. Depending on how close you can get there is a RF16-28mm F2.8 IS STM  (close) or a RF28-70mm F2.8 IS STM  if you are a bit further than you want to be from the stage. 

That looks like a challenging shooting environment, pitch black with strong backlighting so regardless of how you move forward I would try to get access to some rehearsals to test and get a program together prior to a live shoot.

Many of use use the Canon Refurbished Market Place for gear because it is still supported with Canons limited warranty. 

[alexandraphoto1]

Hello,

As of now only stills.

Thank you for your help, appreciate it.

Alex