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Concert photography is some of the trickiest photography. To click beautiful pictures, you need fast-paced action photography to capture the action and have to face challenges of the dim lighting.
Although photography skills are important to be a remarkable concert photographer, you also need a reliable lens that will help you click fully exposed photos.
In this article, we have some of the best lenses for concert photography to make your search easier.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Lens For Concerts
Comparison of the Best Lenses For Concerts
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Can Any Lens Be Used For Concert Photography?
No, you can’t just pick any random lens and start covering a concert. The kit lens won’t do you any good; its shutter speed can't keep up when musicians are moving all around the stage. One of the very best lenses for concert photography is one which comes with a wide maximum aperture, fast auto focus, long reach, and remarkable image stabilization.
These are some of the features that are necessary for a concert photography lens. If your model showcases the above features, you will be able to take pictures of moving, dancing, and singing all-around-the-stage-musicians, and a great lens also allows you to take awesome pictures at night, as well.
What Makes a Great Lens?
A great lens showcases multiple attributes. Some of those are given below, and keeping them in mind will ensure the perfect pick.
Maximum Aperture
Most concerts take place in dim lighting unless it is a huge concert set outdoors. Thus, a lens with a wide aperture will let in more light and allow photographers to capture the subject more beautifully. So it is better to lay hands on an aperture that ranges from f/1.2 to f/2.8.
Fast and Intelligent Auto Focus
Other than the maximum aperture, a fast and intelligent lens is a characteristic of a great product. Most professional photographers argue that manual focus gives more control to the photographer, but when your subject is constantly on the move, the fast and intelligent focus is more convenient.
Image Stabilization
When you are clicking images while standing in the crowd, you need a steady hand, as people will constantly push you and move around. So, to keep the picture perfect and save it from distortion and blurring, a lens with built-in stabilization feature will be a life-saver. The quality of the image will not be compromised, despite constant jerks and shaking.
Review of the Best Lenses For Concerts
To make sure you capture all the moments of your favorite concert, we’ve reviewed some of the top models available. Go through our in-depth review and make your pick.
Best Overall:
PANASONIC LUMIX Professional 12-35mm Camera Lens G X VARIO II
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CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the recent buyers report that this lens has exceeded their expectations. One of the buyers reported that he was extremely satisfied by its dual stabilization. Another buyer said that she is very satisfied with its good zoom range, fast aperture, and great dual-image stabilization. So overall, this lens does a great job of exceeding expectations of the users.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This lens stands out to us for many reasons. One of them is its reliable and durable build. The designers of this lens have crafted it to withstand splashes, dust, and harsh weather conditions. So, no matter the weather conditions of the concert venue, it will allow you to take the perfect pictures.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for a lens that will help you cover a concert, then this is the one you should invest in. In addition to this, if you need to capture some stunning moments in stormy or sandy weather, then this is the perfect choice for that.
Bottom Line
A highly resistant design, powerful O.I.S camera, ability to record high-resolution, and many other factors make this lens stand out to us. These irresistible features should be enough to convince you to get your hands on this beauty.
Runner-up:
Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR f/34-8 Fixed Zoom Lens
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What Recent Buyers Report
Almost everyone who has laid a hand on this zoom lens is very happy with the image quality and focus. One of the recent buyers reported that it is much lighter in weight, so it is very easy to carry around at the concert. In addition to this, it is very reliable, as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This Nikon lens stands out to us due to multiple reasons. One of those reasons is that it gives soft, blurry backgrounds as it is equipped with an f/5.6 maximum aperture at 30mm, and it also comes with the nine-blade rounded diaphragm. The soft, blurry background adds a beautiful touch to telephotos.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for a remarkable lens that will help you capture sports, wildlife flora and fauna, and concerts with defined clarity and precision, then this is the one that will help you take remarkable photographs. Place and adjust it with your camera and take your photography skills up a notch!
Bottom Line
A soft background touch, awesome focal length, beautiful maximum aperture, and intelligent auto focus give an edge to this remarkable lens. So if you have a knack for photography and want a perfect lens to take beautiful shots, then investing in this is a must.
Best for the Money:
YONGNUO YN50mm F1.8 Standard Prime Lens Large Aperture Auto Focus Lens
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What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the recent buyers of this YONGUO lens are very satisfied with its excellent image quality. One of the recent buyers reported that, at first, it was a bit difficult to switch to this lens, but later, he became easily accustomed to it and loved it. Therefore, users have hardly anything negative to stay about it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This lens is not that expensive; it is easily affordable, but this does not mean the manufacturer has compromised on its features. Despite being low in price, it still is one of the very best when it comes to the focus, shutter speed, aperture, and other important details.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for an auto focus lens for creating art and beauty photography, then stop looking, as this one will satisfy all of your photography needs. So, if you fall into any of the above-mentioned categories, it is imperative to consider one of your possible options.
Bottom Line
This beautiful lens has all the remarkable features that are a must in a standard photography lens. So, if you are satisfied with its focal length, aperture, focus, image stability, and design, then you should definitely add this to the list of potential options.
Best Nikon Lens for Concert Photography:
Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED Lens
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What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the photographers recommend this remarkable lens for concert photography. One of the recent buyers reported that it has allowed him to take beautiful pictures of his favorite musicians. Another buyer reported that its focus on an individual or object is outstanding. The same has been said by many others.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Its outstanding image quality is the reason it stands out to us. Photos or videos taken with this lens will have rich, vibrant colors, high-quality contrast, soft and beautiful backgrounds, and minimal distortion even in dim or low light situations. So use them to create beautiful photographs.
Who Will Use This Most
If you want to take close-ups of your favorite musicians, then this is the best one to go with. If you already have a Nikon camera, then investing in this lens is the best idea. So weigh all of your options, evaluate your needs, and know that spending money on this lens is worth it.
Bottom Line
This lens is characterized by its quick and sharp auto focus along with the minimal distortion it offers. With these features, the pictures of your concert are bound to turn out great. Therefore, this will be a great investment.
PROS
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What Recent Buyers Report
One of the recent buyers reported that he had used this lens for wedding photography. He further said he was very satisfied with the sharp image and high contrast of the images. Another buyer said he had taken this lens to many dusty areas, used it in harsh conditions, and it had not disappointed him. Considering the reviews, it’s clearly a great pick.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Its focus is the very reason this lens stands out to us. The focal length and aperture are outstanding. This telephoto lens is blessed with all of the best features so the user can get benefit. In addition to this, the very fact that one does not have to spend a lot of money on it is also one of the many reasons it stands out to us.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are hunting for a lens to take remarkable photos of concerts, especially for day-time photography, then this is a perfect one for that scenario. So glam up all of your pictures with this high-resolution lens and share this remarkable experience with the masses, as well.
Bottom Line
This Canon lens is one of the very best available in the market. If you need to cover day-time concert photography, this one has you covered. Focus on how a musician is playing drums or strumming the guitar and take your photography skills to the next level.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
One needs to pay attention to several aspects when shopping for a photography lens, so have a look at the following factors:
Compatibility
Before making any purchase, make sure you know which lens is perfect for your camera. Some lenses are a bit tricky to mount on your camera, so do consider that an important factor. Investing in a lens that does not work with your camera is of no use, therefore paying attention to this feature is a must!
Quality
Invest in a lens that is perfect to use in a variety of conditions such as stormy weather or on a rainy day. For this, it is better to invest in one that comes with some protective coatings. A lens is a one-time investment, so make sure you have one that promises to last a long time.
Price
If you are an amateur photographer, you don’t have to buy a high-end lens right away. Start and experiment with a cheaper one so you will have full command before dropping a larger chunk of dough. On the other hand, if you consider yourself a pro, then invest in one that promises to give you the very best results.
Conclusion
Concerts are one of the very best places to take pictures. It is a place full of happiness, joy, passion, and love for music. So clicking and capturing those emotion-filled moments is worthwhile when done with a remarkable photography lens. We hope that with our in-depth reviews, you might have some idea regarding which lens would be best for you.
People Also Ask
Here we have tried to answer some frequently asked questions related to concert photography. Often, it does get tricky when you don’t have the right information or when you are not familiar with the tips and tricks. Go through the following questions and answers and get rid of your confusion.
How Do You Photograph a Concert?
Photographing a concert is one of the best experiences and it is a bit challenging at the same time, as well. All you need to remember is to use a fast lens, you need a small aperture number, amazing shutter speed, and set the ISO to 1600. With these settings, you will be able to take remarkable concert photographs.
What Are The Best Settings For Concert Photography?
If you want to level up your concert photography game, then pay attention to these settings. Set your exposure mode to manual, the aperture should be wide open, the shutter speed should be 1/100 to 1/200 or faster, the file format should be RAW, and ISO should be from 1600 to 3200. Set your camera and lens to these numbers to capture beautiful moments.
Do You Use Flash For Concert Photography?
In all honesty, using a flash during a concert would be very unfair to the artist. We are certain you won’t be the only photographer at the concert, so imagine a hoard of photographers flashing cameras into the face of the artist. So, no, don’t use the flash for concert photography, rather, invest in a lens that is best for concert photography.
How to Get Into Concert Photography
If you are passionate about music and want to capture musicians in their element, you would enjoy concert photography. All you need are three things: a camera, lens, and money to buy these things. With access to these tools, you can click away at any concert you like.
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