Good lenses for indoor gigs/concerts?

Question

OK, i've asked alot of questions about lenses recently lol.

But does anyone know what lenses (that aren't too pricey) are good for indoor concerts/gigs?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230158122189&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013
i hear this ones meant to be OK.

and anyone have any comments on this macro lens?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290147431480&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019
what would that be like for normal pictures too?

thanks,

amateur here lol

And a good lens for BMX photography?

Answer 1

In low-light situations lens speed is very important. A fixed-focal length lens will almost always be "faster" than a zoom lens - unless you want to spend thousands of dollars for a super fast zoom.

Your ISO setting can help overcome a slower lens - but your image quality will suffer. The Noise Reduction circuitry in your camera can help and there are software programs that also enhance images taken at high ISO settings. 800, 1200, 1600 are considered high ISO's.

I checked my FotoSharp (fotosharp.com) Day & Night Exposure Guide and here are some recommendations from it.

For these settings you would use "A" (Aperture Preferred) Mode on your camera and let the camera set the shutter speed.

Of course you can also choose "S" (Shutter Preferred) Mode and let the camera choose an f-stop.

INDOOR SPORTS, CIRCUS *

ISO 400, 1/60 second @ f2.8
ISO 800, 1/125 second @ f2.8
ISO 1200, 1/250 second at f2.8
ISO 1600, 1/500 second @ f2.8

ISO 400, 1/30 second @ f4
ISO 800, 1/60 second @ f4
ISO 1200, 1/125 second @ f4
ISO 1600, 1/250 second @ f4

HOME INTERIORS -AVG. LIGHT, SCHOOL STAGE/AUDITORIUM *

ISO 400, 1/15 second @ f2.8
ISO 800, 1/30 second @ f2.8
ISO 1200, 1/60 second @ f2.8
ISO 1600, 1/125 second @ f2.8

* In "A" Mode your actual shutter speed may vary compared to the examples since the shutter is electronically controlled and therefore "stepless". In "S" Mode the f-stop may vary compared to the examples since it too is "stepless".

As to your macro lens question, a true macro lens is usually slower (my 100mm is an f4) so its probably not very useful indoors w/o flash. However, if you want to take sharp close-ups of flowers and insects it should be in your camera bag. Its also useful as a short telephoto for outdoor use. I wouldn't use it for portraits though - its too sharp and will show any minor skin blemish.

Answer 2

An f1.8 lens would allow you more leeway in shooting indoors at acceptable noise levels. However, there's only so far you can go with that. Additionally your Depth of Field would become rather shallow. PErsonally I prefer to use a hotshoe flash. IF there's a white ceiling I use that to bounce, if not I use an omnibounce and the head at about a 45 degree angle. With some care in your settings, an iso of around 1000 and a shutter speed of 1/30-1/50 you can still let enough ambient light in to make a pleasant shot.

Answer 3

Unless you're one of the guys with the access passes and get to sit upfront, you're going to need a fairly good telephoto lens for concerts. Also with that distance comes the need for a reasonably fast lens as well. The zoom you picked has a decent range, but you might want to find something like 135 or 200 fixed to get a faster lens, 5.6 is pretty slow, but faster means pricier. The macro isn't good for your application, too short, decent speed and the macro aspect buys you nothing in distance shooting. It's good for close-ups like the example shot in the listing.