Lens for music gigs
unless you're lighting the set also. I used to get a couple elinchrom lights with radio slaves and super clamps and have stage hands throw my lights in with the stage lighting....
if I were to do this today I'd go with a couple godox ad200's ....
so your best options are to spend on a lens or spend on lights.
keeping your eyes open for an 85, 100 or 135 prime is your best options if 70-200 2.8 zoom is to pricy.
I had great shots with my da 100 macro, but did mis a few shots to focussing misses... prefocus on manual and using back button focus helps.
Fired many shots. Didn't kill anything.
Daronl
The 50-135mm DA* would seem to be ideal for what you need.
I've been thinking the same thing, Paul. SRS has a couple of "excellent +" used ones and I'm very tempted. I'll send you the bill!
i use a 35 mm f1.4 ( takes it in it’s stride very well) but recently did a blues night in a local bar with the full frame FA 70-200 2.8 but you cannot be agile with it - it’s like a RPGL and wasn’t as at home in the very low light as the 35mm f1.4
Yes, I think a 70-200 2.8 would be too much of a beast for what I want. Your 35mm must give you some great shots in a bar scenario.
800 ISO - F2.8 - K1 - Pentax 24 to 70 @ 24mm

400 ISO - F2.8 - K1 - Sigma 70 to 200 @ 128mm

Chris
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
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K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses
Stuart..
Chris's shots above are unusual in that there is very good light. So, if you are shooting in daylight or with a lot of light then you have a lot more options. Shooting at 400 or 800 ISO is usually a dream for a gig photographer. I usually shoot at ISO 5000 or 6400.
So, I use a K1, which can cope with those ISOs without too much trouble. But to get the best shots I really do need fast lenses. And I also need to be able to frame quickly, so zooms are essential. I use the 15-30/f2.8 occasionally, when I am very close, but generally use a 24-70/f2.8, which allows me wide shots of the band and close ups too. I don't think there's any substitute for being close to the band.
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Aero
Member
Aberdeen (Scotland)
My results have been pretty good so far and I knock out a few A4 prints every week for display. But it's becoming obvious that I need another lens. My DA 16-45 and DA 50 1.8 both produce excellent images on my new K70 but I really need something with a longer reach, although I can get as close to the "stage" as I want. Something like a 70-200 2.8 would be ideal, I suspect, but I really don't want to spend that sort of money. My DA 55-300 is probably a little slow, even at high ISOs.
My only payment is a free hotel room so I can have a few pints and a meal on the house, so I want to keep the cost as low as possible while producing good results. Any guidance would be much appreciated.