Which Lens for Outdoor Concert ?

[Rodney9]

G'Day, I might be able to go to a local park concert tomorrow, I can't decide which one lens to take.
I only want to carry my camera with lens attached for ease and security.
They will be having a 200 member choir so I thought the Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II might be my best choice for some width.
Or maybe the Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 to be less conspicuous or threatening

Any opinions ?

This is what I have to choose from -

Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di
Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL II
Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7
Pentax-M Macro 100mm f/4
Pentax-M 28mm f/2.8
2xTC KAX Teleplus MC7

Rodney

[bilybianca]

Hi Rodney,
out of these I wouldn't hesitate to take the 55-300. You need the zoom range to be able to get the full scene and also some close ups of faces etc. Is the concert in daylight or a well lit stage? If not, the 50mm 1.7 is your only choice.
My experience from concert shooting is that a bigger lens and a bag makes people think you're a pro, and so they give way and security or organizers allows you to take position where audience isn't allowed. It might help to have a chat with the organizers before the beginning of the show. Of course this doesn't work if the artist is a world famous star and there is a no-photo-clause in the contract. But that is normally not the case with local concerts.

Kjell

[Rodney9]

Originally Posted by bilybianca

Hi Rodney,Is the concert in daylight or a well lit stage? If not, the 50mm 1.7 is your only choice.


Kjell

It is a free outdoor mid-day concert.

[bilybianca]

So I'd take the 55-300 and the 28 mm or 18-55 in a pocket. Or a bag with more stuff.

Kjell

[Dal1970]

The last concert I did, I took 18-55, 28-105 and 70-300

I was around 30' away and never took the 70-300 off

It is surprising how much zoom you need at these things.

I would go with the 18-55 in a pocket and 55-300 on the camera