5 Best Lens for Concert Photography
Concerts and music festivals are a great way to spend an evening. The energy from the crowd and the energy from the band make for a great night of good memories. The only problem is that you might not be able to capture all these moments.
Whether a professional or an enthusiast, taking concert photos will be challenging if you don’t have the right lens. Don’t worry! There is some best camera lens for concert photography out there today.
Concerts are one of the most popular types of photoshoots today. With so many people capturing so many images, you need to stand out for your photographs or videos.
This article will help you look for the best lens for concert photography, the different types of concert photography lenses on the market, and the best settings for concert photography.
Contents
Best Lens for Concert Photography
1. Canon RF24
- Compact, Lightweight and High-Quality RF Lens with a Versatile Zoom Range of 24-105mm*.
- Optical Image Stabilization at up to 5 Stops** of Shake Correction.
- Maximum Magnification of 0.4x and Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.66 ft. in Auto Focus.
- Maximum Magnification of 0.5x and Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.43 ft. when using Center Focus Macro.
- Optical Image Stabilization at up to 5 Stops** of Shake Correcti
The Canon RF Series lenses are well known for their performance in video applications, but that’s not what this lens is designed for. It can also capture images of a concert or a stage performance, making it one of the best lens for concert photography on this list.
The Canon RF24 is a 24mm Super Wide Angle lens designed for video and still images. The wide angle of view is excellent for concert photography and other subjects that would require a broader perspective.
You can get a lot of coverage at f/8! This allows you to capture more of your subject in your shot without extending into the unwanted area around your subject.
At 4.5 pounds, this is a lightweight lens (if you don’t include the attached camera body). It’s also a compact lens, given its size and shape. The lens has a fast shutter speed and focuses quickly, taking just 0.16 seconds to focus at full zoom.
The RF24 comes with a close focusing distance of 0.6m. This allows you to capture more details of an object that is close to your camera and, at the same time, improve your framing skills. Your camera has a focus range from 0.5m-infinity and a minimum aperture value of f/8.
This lens also has an interchangeable mount to support Canon EF and EF-S cameras. It has a rear focusing system (RF), meaning the lens doesn’t extend while zooming through the range.
Pros:
- Optical image stabilization
- Smooth and Precise Autofocusing
- Works well with EOS R series cameras
- Impressive close-up shooting
- Versatile zoom range
Cons:
- No weather sealing
- A little on the heavier side
- The lens is a bit slow
2. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
- 50 millimeter focal length and maximum aperture of f/1.8
- Great for portraits, action, and nighttime photography; Angle of view (horizontal, vertical, diagonal): 40º, 27º,46º
- Minimum focusing distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meter) and a maximum magnification of 0.21x
- Stepping motor (STM) delivers near silent, continuous move Servo AF for movies and smooth AF for stills
- 80 millimetre effective focal length on APS C cameras, 50 millimetre on full frame cameras. Lens construction: 6 elements in 5 gro
This standard walk-around lens is one of the best lens for concert photography. It covers everything from full-frame DSLR cameras to APS-C ones, including using EF-S mount cameras. At 50mm, this lens has a similar field of view to an 80mm lens on APS-C cameras.
This is perfect for capturing all the details you want in your photo or video. The lens also has a very high maximum aperture of f/1.8, making it ideal for lowlight shooting and fast shutter speeds.
The weight of a camera is usually judged by its lens. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens weighs just 5.6 ounces, making it one of the lightest lenses in its class.
The lens is also very compact, making it easy to hold and use even with a giant DSLR camera. The size and the small dimensions mean that the lens can fit into any camera bag or backpack without taking up much space.
This lens can make amazing close-up videos or photos combined with an APS-C sensor DSLR. This allows you to focus close to your subject while keeping the background out of focus.
The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens is designed with a fast and impressive continuous autofocus system. This is essential for shooting videos and stills of a moving subject, especially when that subject is on stage during a performance.
Pros:
- Excellent prime lens for lowlight photography
- Maximum magnification of 0.21x
- Works well with EOS cameras
- Sharp and smooth performance
Cons:
- A slight loss in clarity when shooting at F1.8
- Loses clarity around the outer edges of the frame
- Does not feature image stabilization
3. Canon RF50mm F 1.2L USM Lens
- Fixed focal length, Lens with high image quality and bright f/1.2 aperture for the EOS R system
- Minimum focusing distance of 1.31 ft. /0.40M. Filter Size: 77mm
- A control ring for direct setting changes
- Three aspherical elements and one UD Element
- 12 pin Communication system
- Mounting type: Canon RF
- Built-in Wi-Fi technology allows for on the go convenience and the ability to easily post your images to select social networking and media si
This lens is highly-acclaimed among photographers, especially concert photographers. It’s also considered one of the best lenses for architecture and night photography. The lens is a prime lens, meaning it doesn’t have any optical zooms attached.
The Canon RF50mm F 1.2L USM Lens is a 50mm f/1.2 telephoto zoom lens designed for still photographs and video shooting with DSLR cameras and APS-C mirrorless cameras. If you want to pull off some fantastic shots that will last for years, this is the perfect lens!
It’s equipped with an advanced built-in Wi-Fi technology, which can connect to a smartphone through a camera to shoot photos and videos, especially if you’re low on battery!
The USM technology keeps the image at the proper exposure, whether shooting in darker or brighter light. This lens has an Air Sphere Coating, which helps in reducing ghosting and flare. The air coating is ideal for capturing clear images of your subject, whether you’re in a concert or other indoor performance venues.
The Canon RF 50mm F 1.2L USM Lens is one of the most water and dust-proof lenses in Canon’s lenses. It can withstand splashes of water from any direction, so you can be assured that your lens will not be a victim of the weather conditions that day.
Pros:
- Large 54mm Diameter
- Fluorine Coating
- Resists vibration shock
- Produce intense background blur
- Faster shutter speed
Cons:
- It is a bit heavy
- It is quite expensive
4. PANASONIC LUMIX S Series Camera Lens
- WORKS WITH ALL L-MOUNT FULL-FRAME DIGITAL CAMERAS
- LARGE APERTURE, PERFECT FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
- COMPACT AND LIGHTWEIGHT: Light, portable, easy-to-carry lens lets you stay mobile all day in comfort
- VIDEO SUPPORT – Excels in video recording performance with suppressed focus breathing
- RUGGED DESIGN – Dust/splash*/freeze-resistant design withstands heavy field use under harsh conditi
Panasonic’s LUMIX S Series is perfect for concert and stage photography. This lens is portable and lightweight for a large audience. The camera lens can be used to capture portraits of the people at the concert and close-up shots of the performance stage.
The 85mm lens on this camera allows you to capture more area. The Leica DC Lens helps in giving you wet look photos during those rainy days that most concerts usually encounter. You’ll have an easy time shooting telephoto shots from a distance with this camera lens because it has an f1.8.
All L-mount full-frame digital cameras are compatible with this lens. With its L-Mount compatibility, the lens is an essential, hard-working addition to the LUMIX S series and beyond. With an 85mm F1.8 lens, you’ll capture 4K video and incredibly detailed stills, even when it’s dark.
This camera lens is resistant to dust and splashes, so it doesn’t get damaged while being used in harsh weather conditions. It’s also completely resistant to freezing, which means it can be used in all weather conditions.
With an F1.8 maximum aperture, you get a beautiful bokeh effect ideal for portraits and professional studio shots. The camera lens is lightweight, compact, and easy to use if you shoot both stills and video.
It’s equipped with 3 macro modes and a fast shutter speed to get the best results from your shoot. This means endless possibilities when shooting music videos or concerts on stage!
Pros:
- Works With All L-Mount Full-Frame Digital Cameras
- Large Aperture, Perfect For Portrait Photography
- Light, Portable, Easy-To-Carry Lens
- Excels In Video Recording Performance
- Dust, splash, freeze-resistant
Cons:
- Lens focus-ring-by-wire is sluggish
5. Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens
This is the preferred telephoto zoom lens with an f/4.5 maximum aperture. The Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens has both aperture and autofocus ring to work with your various shooting needs, especially in an environment where the lighting conditions are not ideal.
The lens also features a weather-resistant construction, so you won’t have to worry too much about how the weather will affect your shoot.
A Lens That You Can Take Anywhere! EF 75-300mm, f/4-5.6 III USM, features a compact, lightweight design that you can carry along any time and anywhere.
The ideal lens for travel and photography on the go is light enough to carry all day long, so you will never miss that fantastic shot—even when you are far from home.
The air is thrust quickly out of the lens aperture to maintain consistent exposure and focus operations when shooting in zooming motion. This helps produce sharp images without losing contrast often found in lenses with an internal zoom mechanism.
An advanced Micro USM (Ultrasonic Motor) driven by a precision IC chip delivers quick, quiet autofocus performance. This ensures that your subject is always focused, providing consistently crisp images.
The lens draws a circuit path that locates zooming areas on the light way quickly and precisely. This keeps rotation smooth and accurate. This professional lens is designed for high-quality shooting in various lighting conditions, such as low light situations and indoor shots.
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact design for convenient portability
- An advanced Canon micro-USM produces fast and quiet AF action
- Comes with a one-year warranty
- Great image quality
Cons:
- No image stabilization
What type of lens is suitable for concert photography?
Lens types are the first factor to consider in concert photography, but how do you choose between them? When it comes to best lens for concert photography, you have different options. The only factor that matters is what your needs are.
Each camera lens can work exceptionally well for certain types of subjects and venues/venues. This is because each type of lens has different characteristics:
Wide-angle lens
These lenses are great for taking wide-angle photos and videos. You’ll be able to capture the entire stage or arena in one shot. These lenses are fantastic for subjects that don’t move much, such as statues and famous landmarks.
Telephoto Lens
These lenses will allow you to look at the audience or musicians beyond the stage. A telephoto lens will allow you to capture images and videos of subjects farther away than if you used a wide-angle lens.
Zoom lens
A zoom lens will be better if you want to capture the entire stage or audience. You’ll be able to stay in your seat and not have to move far away from your initial angle.
Prime lens
Prime lenses are usually the best choice for concert photography. A prime lens is a fixed focal length lens with no zoom function. They’ll allow you to capture the entire pool from one place at any given time.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for concert photography lenses. Still, you can use this information to help you make better decisions.
What are the best settings for concert photography?
When it comes to your camera settings, some things can help you get the shots you want. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different camera settings when capturing your best concert moments!
It’s easy to take great photographs even if you don’t have all the best gear. With these tips, you’ll be able to capture unforgettable images of your favorite band or performer.
White Balance
Most concert photographers like to use the white balance option, which gives a warmer feel to their photos. This effect can genuinely make your photography stand out.
Photographers should note that colored concert lighting will change frequently. Your images will need plenty of adjustment in post-processing. Try to set a single white balance based on the colorless lighting on the stage.
ISO
ISO is an essential setting for concert photography because it’s critical in low-light shooting. ISO has become a necessary feature for many cameras.
If you want to take clear photos and videos of your favorite band or performer from afar, this is something worth considering.
Faster shutter speed
When shooting a concert with a fast shutter speed, you’ll be able to get clear photographs of the subject. You’ll be able to capture images and videos of moving objects like crowds, people moving in a mosh pit, or even the band members on stage.
Adjusting Aperture
Most cameras will come with an auto-aperture mode, which is OK for most situations, but concert photographers should use manual aperture.
This gives you more control to achieve the look you want through the lens and will provide you with a lot of flexibility in post-processing.
Things to consider
One of the first steps to deciding what is the best lens for concert photography is knowing what to look for in lenses. Here are a few factors you should consider when thinking about what lens to use for concerts:
Focal Length:
The focal length is essential when choosing your lens. The focal length is the distance between the camera and the point where light comes into focus. Generally, a wide-angle lens with a focal length of 24-70mm or 28-105mm is more suitable for concert photography.
Large Maximum Aperture
You may want to use a lens with a maximum aperture (1.8, 2.0, or 2.8). Lenses with large maximum apertures will give you softer and more flattering photos.
They’ll be great for portraiture and concert photography since they will allow you to quickly freeze the motion of your subjects and work in low-light conditions.
Image Stabilization
The image stabilization feature is useful when shooting from a distance in low light situations. Images will appear sharper, which is always ideal for concert photos where you’re using a telephoto lens.
It’s beneficial to use lenses with an ISO setting of 800 or higher to capture those beautiful shots at night.
Fast and Intelligent Autofocus
Concert photography is filled with fast-moving subjects like drum kits and band members, so it’s best to have a lens with fast and intelligent autofocus if you want to take photos during a show.
Durable, Weather-Sealed Body
Consider what type of photography you’ll be doing, especially if you plan to take your camera to a concert.
For example, if you plan to use it at a music festival in a rainy region, look for weather-sealed lenses. This will prevent any damage to the lens and keep your camera functioning properly when taking the photos you want.
These are just some factors that should choose your lens for concert photography!
FAQs
Is a 50mm lens good for concert photography?
A 50mm lens is ideal for concert photography because it will allow you to get a short focal length with a wide aperture.
If you want the closest shot possible of the band, this is an ideal choice for keeping your subjects in focus. A 50mm lens is one of the most common and affordable lenses for concert photography.
Is a 24mm lens good for concert photography?
A 24mm lens can be great for concert photography, especially if you want a broader performance perspective.
The 24mm focal length is an excellent all-around lens to use for concerts because it’s the best balance of quality, range, and speed that you’ll find,
Is 85mm good for concert photography?
A zoom lens with an 85mm focal length is a good choice for concert photography, especially when capturing the concert from 25-35 feet away from the stage or with a 1D.
This lens will give you numerous options in your composition, making it great for following performers moving around the stage.
Verdict
The best lens for concert photography is the one that will give you the range and control to get your shot just right. Because of this, you must spend plenty of time researching your options before making your purchase.
Based on the information given above, the best lens for concert photography is Canon RF24. It’s fast, has a wide maximum aperture, and captures beautiful photos in low light conditions.
This is an especially great choice if you’re a professional photographer or someone who enjoys concert photography with friends.
