stage, portrait lens, which one?

It's more of a comparison prime vs zoom then anything else.
I'm looking for something in between the range of the DA40 and the DFA100.

My first thought was the DA*55 for his speed and the range is quite suited for portrait and stage photography (if I'm correct).
Now I'm also considering the DA*50-135, the zoom range seem very pratical to me and f/2.8 is relatively fast. I need to up the ISO maybe a bit but compared to the DA*55 but if I can make better shots because of the zoom, it's a price I'm willing to pay.

It's quite a hard one right.
I simply want your view on the matter and what your choice would be, if you could please do that it might help me a bit to make a decision.

Thank you for reading.

I would have thought the 50-135 the best option, certainly more versatile than the 55 and not just for stage photography, plus the longer focal length would allow you to grab shots from a distance without crowding the performers.

Another vote for the 50-135. Very nice and versatile lens.

That was also my idea Alan and Roger, I'm just a bit worried about the f/2.8 and I've also the DFA100 that would do the job just as good.

Every time I've made up my mind which lens, there comes a situation that I long for the other lens but there isn't money for both now.

Before anyone say fifty nifty + DA*50-135, yes that's also an option but using zooms and primes together just doesn't work for me. The difference between f/1.4 and f/2.8 once the zoom is on the camera is just not enough to switch lens constantly. I would also then only switch the 50 when needing the reach but since I've the DFA100 I don't see the use then of the DA*50-135.

Lighting levels will be variable in a stage show, but are generally quite good. Using an appropriate ISO you should be OK with a f2.8 lens.

However, at the longer end camera shake may start to be an issue so the range of the 50-135mm may not be so fully useable as to be a useful advantage.

Personally I would tend towards the 55mm f1.4 (or indeed FA 50mm f1.4) and crop as required.

Thank you John for tipping the balance the other side, I didn't really consider cropping the image but you're quite right.

I've always liked primes that's why I want to give the DA*55 the chance, if I liked zooms I would have gone for the 50-135 without thinking.
Just need to check my wallet this weekend and I'll order the DA*55 by the looks of it.

I don't think that for stage photography you will find ANY difference between f1.4 and f2.8.

The Shallow DOF of the 55mm is going to create a lot of complications, and very probably you'll need to stop it down anyway to get the sharpest results.

Therefore, my vote definitely goes for the 50-135. It is extremely versatile, and very very sharp already at f2.8. To answer what John said about shake at the long end, I would strongly suggest you use a monopod. I have shot with the lens and used the monopod with great success, and really really comfortable shooting position, avoiding any shake.

Get the ZOom, and if you really feel like a prime, get an FA 50. Just as good (For as much as I tested the 55 at SRS) and much much cheaper.

Good Luck,

Mainly before it goes up in price.

Get the 77mm. Nice and fast if the light is low; super sharp if you need to crop; small and inconspicuous; and the best image quality of all.

G
Everybody needs a Ltd.

George,
you should get a 50-135. It is really incredible.

And I am on a primes crusade...

How are you by the way?

These are all valid approaches, which might not help you choose, but it does show how we all approach our photography in our own way.

Please don't forget to let us know what your final decision is!

Nathan, f/1.4 is 2 stops faster then f/2.8 so that means iso 400 instead of 1600, that's a major difference in sharpnes even if the 55 is less sharp wide open compared to the 50-135. Of course like you said, I need to be able to shoot with half the amount of DOF.

I don't have any experience with such lenses so I don't know to be honest how usefull f/1.4 is, any comments on that would be welcome

A monopod isn't very practical in my view in a busy club. I might however set the monopod on my hips, I've done that a few times and it helps enough but still might not be the most practical thing.

I've only compared shots on the web, not the best thing to do but the DA55 looks quite a bit sharper then the FA50.
Here is a good comparison link

Are they once again planning to up the price, when if I may ask?

I reckon the stage lighting needs to be good indeed for cropping to be a good option. Otherwise there's going to be a fair amount of noise - which will be something not to like when effectively enlarged by the cropping.

Using f1.4 or so will help to minimise noise (by enabling lower ISO), but how much would you really want to use an aperture larger than f2.8 anyway?

Yes George the FA77 was also on my mind and it will come, it's just now too close to the DFA 100mm (my favourite). It would be an awesome portrait lens but it's just too long of a focal length for the stage I believe.
I already have a Ltd George, don't worry it was the first thing I got

Thank you for your wise words John.
I love primes so I'm leaning to 55 myself to begin with but the miss of a good zoom doesn't help me.
Like said, I simply need to find out how usefull the DOF is at f/1.4, if it useable I will get the DA*55 if not I will go for the DA*50-135.

I don't know to be honest, I will probable use it more at f/1.8 since at f/1.4 it doesn't preform so well the DA*55 but how usable is f/1.8???

At 3m it's 20cm, I often use the 100mm f/2.8 wide open at around 6 meters with a dof of ~24cm without a problem.
If you would zoom in with the 50-135 to get an headshot it will be even smaller so how usefull is f/2.8 at 135mm in a indoors?

I'm defending the DA*55 awefully lot now, maybe I should just get it...