The best lens for indoor concert photography
Using the right tools is the most essential secret every one should learn to be successful when it comes to being successful. I normally see people asking questions like which is the best lens to be used on various occasions. This time around I found someone asking which lens can be the best to be used for indoor concert photography.
For the best results in indoor photography, one should use a fast lens, in fact faster the better. That is the lowest ‘f’ stop number that you can afford. If you can not afford a very fast lens, I would suggest going with faster film. Push processing slide film can also be an option. (Usually a one stop push does not affect the grain that much.)
As far as length of lens, I would go with a 70-200 or 70-300 zoom lenses, if the speed is acceptable. This will give you pretty good close ups if you are not that far away from the stage. If you are up close and personal, that is within the first few rows, a normal lens (50-70mm), my personal recommendation is to go with a 50mm, which by far is my favorite and also the best, should be okay and then you can enlarge and crop to get better close ups. Your fixed normal lenses are also cheaper to get in the faster speeds, f1.4-1.8, than the zoom lenses.
If your budget is a little higher, a reasonably fast (f/2.8 or f/4) 70-200 zoom lens works well, and gives you the opportunity to get in tight. More like one should learn to get the best out of what ever is within reach.