What Canon zoom lens would you recommend for taking pictures at a concert?
1871179
I wouldn't take any lens at all unless you have explicit permission.Go enjoy the concert and don't interfere with other's enjoyment of the concert by using flash.
1871180
Wow, this is a tough question without knowing a lot of the particulars. However, I wouldn't even consider it with anything higher than f/2.8 or less than 200mm.Philip is correct, make sure you aren't breaking any laws, and Kenneth has a great suggestion with the 70-200, but I would go with the "L". I think they ring in at around $2100 for the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. But, you would have to be pretty close to get really good shots like from guitar to top of head. I don't think this particular lens (EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM) would work well. You would have to bump up ISO to 1600 or higher, then you would have noise to deal with. I've tried to use this lens indoors, and it is terrible, even in well lit venues. Wow, this is a tough question without knowing a lot of the particulars. However, I wouldn't even consider it with anything higher than f/2.8 or less than 200mm.Philip is correct, make sure you aren't breaking any laws, and Kenneth has a great suggestion with the 70-200, but I would go with the "L". I think they ring in at around $2100 for the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. But, you would have to be pretty close to get really good shots like from guitar to top of head. I don't think this particular lens (EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM) would work well. You would have to bump up ISO to... » Read More Wow, this is a tough question without knowing a lot of the particulars. However, I wouldn't even consider it with anything higher than f/2.8 or less than 200mm.Philip is correct, make sure you aren't breaking any laws, and Kenneth has a great suggestion with the 70-200, but I would go with the "L". I think they ring in at around $2100 for the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. But, you would have to be pretty close to get really good shots like from guitar to top of head. I don't think this particular lens (EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM) would work well. You would have to bump up ISO to 1600 or higher, then you would have noise to deal with. I've tried to use this lens indoors, and it is terrible, even in well lit venues. « Show Less
1871181
There is such a wide range of lenses. The 70-200 II IS is a winner that will work well in low light. If you are in a well-lit situation then this 70-300 is a great lens with more reach and lighter weight plus less cost.
1118682
you will see some distortion at the 18mm range but will disappear in at the 25 to 28mm area- sometimes it is rather a nice special effect, depends on the shot. Make sure it is a Canon IS lens for the stabilization. The zoom has a very nice range but you will loose some speed as compared to a simple wide angle lens. It is a great walk around lens to suit needs of a wide range of situations.
273017
I ordered a zoom lens. It was not expensive and I could see good use with the lens. I already had a mic from a long time ago so I can 't recommend a mic.
1031822
You could probably find a smallish SLR and a good 50mm lens that would do great low light and still fit in your purse.If you have to have a pocket cam, the SD990 does better-than-usual low light work, but the higher ISO's are still going to be a bit grainy, and you don't have a huge amount of zoom going on. Indoor concerts and events really require good SLR's and good lenses on them, too, especially if you're at a distance.Anyway, the SD990 is probably going to be about the best you'll find as far as pocket cams, and the graininess shouldn't matter for things like 4x6 prints. I'd just keep your expectations realistic compared to what a decent SLR and lens combo can do in those settings. You could probably find a smallish SLR and a good 50mm lens that would do great low light and still fit in your purse.If you have to have a pocket cam, the SD990 does better-than-usual low light work, but the higher ISO's are still going to be a bit grainy, and you don't have a huge amount of zoom going on. Indoor concerts and events really require good SLR's and good lenses on them, too, especially if you're at a distance.Anyway, the SD990 is probably going to be about the best you'll find as far as pocket cams, and the graininess shouldn't matter for things like... » Read More You could probably find a smallish SLR and a good 50mm lens that would do great low light and still fit in your purse.If you have to have a pocket cam, the SD990 does better-than-usual low light work, but the higher ISO's are still going to be a bit grainy, and you don't have a huge amount of zoom going on. Indoor concerts and events really require good SLR's and good lenses on them, too, especially if you're at a distance.Anyway, the SD990 is probably going to be about the best you'll find as far as pocket cams, and the graininess shouldn't matter for things like 4x6 prints. I'd just keep your expectations realistic compared to what a decent SLR and lens combo can do in those settings. « Show Less
324304
Not that great. I used my D3100 and my new D7100 with the same lens at a live music show, and the D7100 was disappointing. It
2009035
I really enjoy my D3200. It takes great pictures. I think it would take great concert pictures, but lighting could be a problem depending on your proximity to the stage. I don't think the built-in flash would work well at a distance. However, there are times when I turn the flash off for indoor photos because it takes great photos in low light. You could take pics in manual mode also. This camera takes great video, also.
824637
Being that this lens was the lends to have before the 24-70 and used for fashion shows and pretty much everything, I think it'd be a smart buy. I bought one for concerts because of same reason, I can't afford the 24-70. I was very happy with the first concert I shot with it, using a D5100 no less. I recently also got a D7100 and feel it'll only improve things further. I've done a few other shoots with it as well. It's definitely worth having.
1877497
No, I would not recommend this lens for sporting events. It doesn't zoom, which will limit your ability to compose when you have limited ability to move yourself closer to subject. Plus the apertures aren't super great for low light of a gym. (Although tripod will help with that). In same price range I think you would be better served by the 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 with a tripod. (Or if you can spend a bit more go with the 80-200mm f/2.8)
1380194
I purchased this lens for my husband. He wanted a fixed lens, not a zoom. It takes great pictures. However, the Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM looks like a beautiful lens, and if this is your first, perhaps it is more versatile for your needs.
846332
I have had an 18-200mm Tamron zoom. I see that they are available on Ebay for under $200. I also use a Minolta 50mm f1.7 that cost about $75, a SONY 18-55mm that I bought on Ebay for $50, a 28-105mm Minolta I picked up on Ebay for $60. The Minoltas are all used but have excellent optics.
1927315
I use a Canon 70-200mm F4 zoom and a Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 with macro focusing. I have found that this combination of lenses has served me well since the late 70's, shooting concerts, landscapes and wildlife. For extreme macro get a lens reversing ring for the wide angle and you can shoot snowflakes.
11423
The 24-105 L with IS if not too expensive. If you want wide to telephoto lens the 18-200 canon lens would be fine but not as good as the L.
736771
The 70-200 f/4 L IS is a great lens, but adarsha has a point depending on distance in the auditoriums you may want a shorter lens, such as the Canon 28-135 IS. If you are using a crop sensor Canon such as the Rebels, 50D, or 60Ds, then a lens getting rave reviews is the Canon 55-250 f/4.0-5.6 IS II. It would give you a much wider range and IS to hand hold with no flash.
397114
Canon has the try a lens tool at http://cusa.canonlenses.ca/ It's a little hokey but does give you a comparison tool and simulated zoom tool.
1094990
I purchased this camera for my daughter to use when she goes to concerts. We took it to see Mumford and Sons last month at the Barklays Center in Brooklyn. We sat in like the 3 section mezzanine to the left of the stage. The camera took awesome pictures. The zoom was great as well as the audio. I took it and aged with all of the settings while watching the concert. I am very pleased with it. We are going to see Pink on Saturday. We aresitting further away. We'll see how it works then.
11122
I don't think you can get the full 10x zoom, but you can get enough zoom, I wouldn't recommend it at a concert, the pictures come out a little blurry, it's meant to be used underwater, pictures underwater come out really good.
736773
I did use this lens for my grandson's graduation - when he was on stage, under lighting, got some good shots. But I use the 85mm f/1.8 for most school events. I would think you would want at least 2.8 for most events.