wide angle lenses

[Furgus]

Was going to sugest the 50, but not sure if it was wide enough....I guess it gets pretty wide if you move your feet

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I thought about using a fisheye but am told you hafta be REALLY close to the subject. Stone Temple Pilots will be at the event but only let photogs in the pit (not on stage.) I am afraid not being on stage I will be too far to use one.

I have many years of concert photography experience. This angle was a special request from the coordinators that said the sponsor was specifically looking for. Dixie, your third shot is the angle we are looking for - hence the challenge of getting as much of the audience in as possible. They've even said they had shots with the first few rows but are looking for an even wider angle than that~

I will also check ebay for the Tokina and the rental link thank you very much!

 

[dr_zero]

Ok I had a weird thought about this what if you took a different approach than a wide angle lens and went panoramic?

You could get a large area covered and just crop off the sides as you want.

And the cost would be cheaper than buying another lens.

Some digital cameras can do this here is a article about it
http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/shooting-modes/panorama.php
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0103/ejp0103-1.html

And they make 35mm panoramic cameras also
http://www.amazon.com/Lomography-Ho...=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1212171006&sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.com/Lomography-Horizon-Perfekt-Panoramic-Camera/dp/B000CC5F8I

 

[DixieDolphin]

What's the venue? Do you have stage access?

How about shooting from behind or at a sharp angle? THIS shot is using the 24-70mm lens, shot from the extreme side in the pit.

I have some others, although not here at work, where I shot from /behind/ the performer... lets you zoom in close AND get the crowd in view. I'll try to dig up an example from my archives at home.


Re: dr_zero & panorama's...

The problem with concert photography is the lighting. Panoramas require all the settings and lighting to remain constant the whole way around... that's nearly impossible in typical concert situations. =)

 

[handicap18]

The 50mm f/1.8 wont auto focus on the OP's camera which is the Nikon D40.

To the OP, how close are you going to be to the stage and how wide do you want. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 would work nicely from about 25+ rows, maybe closer. It has an in lens focus motor and auto focus' fine on the D40. Other wise you'll have to look at some wide angle primes, 20mm f/1.8, 24mm f/1.8 or zooms like the others have mentioned.

 

[DixieDolphin]

The 50mm f/1.8 wont auto focus on the OP's camera which is the Nikon D40.

Why exactly? It has no issue on my D70s, autofocus works like a champ. What's different on the D40??

 

[YEKCIM]

Why exactly? It has no issue on my D70s, autofocus works like a champ. What's different on the D40??

D40/D40x/D60 do not have a focus motor in the body; 50/1.8D does not have a focus motor in the lens. Thus, no AF. Only lenses with focus motors in the lens (Nikon AF-S, Sigma HSM, etc) will AF on those three.

~Y

 

[Gdad]

I believe the Tokina will Auto Focus on the D40/60's

Nope- I was wrong. Will not AF on the 40/60 series.

 

[tjl1388]

I rented the Nikkor 14-24mm for my last trip from borrowlenses.com and I LOVED it. For what it is designed to do there is no better in my opinion.

It took this shot..

 

[DixieDolphin]

D40/D40x/D60 do not have a focus motor in the body; 50/1.8D does not have a focus motor in the lens. Thus, no AF. Only lenses with focus motors in the lens (Nikon AF-S, Sigma HSM, etc) will AF on those three.

~Y

Hmm, interesting. Didn't realize that about those bodies. Dang, that's a bummer.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I have a press pass, all access, except for when the bands prohibit it: like STP. I can still stand in the pit, just not on stage or back stage.

~The jobs requires shots of each act's first three songs~

I may go early and shmooze for backstage access before the show.

Would this one do the job?

http://www.borrowlenses.com/product/nikon_wide_angle/Tokina_12-24_f4_nikon

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Hmm, interesting. Didn't realize that about those bodies. Dang, that's a bummer.

Actually, that hasn't been a bother to me yet.
(I knew about this restriction when I bought my D40)

I can manually focus when necessary,

I am not that spoiled

~I have both the DX 18-55 and 55-200mm lenses btw~

 

[Hunnypaw]

Tokina 12 -24 f4 is a good compromise for about $450 and it is about $400 less than the Nikkor lens. It is for a DX body and has AF (make sure AF works with a D40) and good glass so that helps justify for your D body.

I have had mine for a couple years a think it a great purchase for a wide-angle that is not a fish-eye.

Play with all of them if you can and read reviews... if you have time.

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Tokina 12 -24 f4 is a good compromise for about $450 and it is about $400 less than the Nikkor lens. It is for a DX body and has AF (make sure AF works with a D40) and good glass so that helps justify for your D body.

I have had mine for a couple years a think it a great purchase for a wide-angle that is not a fish-eye.

Play with all of them if you can and read reviews... if you have time.

I will, thank you!

You all have been a huge help as usual...thank you~

 

[Gdad]

I have read good things about the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 - not available quite yet for Nikon but hopefully very soon. I am seriously considering this lens. And probably about 1/3rd the price of Mark's fine lens recomendation.

Well these were in stock at B&H *VERY BRIEFLY* this morning (Thanks for the tip Ed!) before selling out. I ordered one- but was also surprised to see the note they will not focus with the D40/D60 series Nikons. So is probably not the best option for you unfortunately.

 

[dr_zero]

Well these were in stock at B&H *VERY BRIEFLY* this morning (Thanks for the tip Ed!) before selling out. I ordered one- but was also surprised to see the note they will not focus with the D40/D60 series Nikons. So is probably not the best option for you unfortunately.

This is one of the reasons why if you don't want to spend the money for the higher end bodies you should consider a D50 or a D70s both can be had for about the same or less than a D40.

 

[Hunnypaw]

Well these were in stock at B&H *VERY BRIEFLY* this morning (Thanks for the tip Ed!) before selling out. I ordered one- but was also surprised to see the note they will not focus with the D40/D60 series Nikons. So is probably not the best option for you unfortunately.

Wow, that Tokina 11-16mm sounds like a great lens! $570.00.... pretty good lens for that price!!!

 

[Gdad]

Wow, that sounds like a great lens! any idea on the price point?

There is a price in the B&H link- $570

 

[handicap18]

This is one of the reasons why if you don't want to spend the money for the higher end bodies you should consider a D50 or a D70s both can be had for about the same or less than a D40.

The focus motor issue is becoming a much less problem as time has gone by. All new Nikkor lenses are being made AF-S (focus motor in lens). New Sigma lenses are also being made with the motor in lens. You can pretty much be covered from 10mm to 800mm between Nikkor, Sigma and Tamron. Between the 3 companies there are currently 73 lenses available. This list has grown considerably over the last 6 months.

I'm surprised that Tokina hasn't made their new lenses for Nikon with the in lens motor. Canon has had motor driven lenses for years now. They also don't have a big selection of lenses.

 

[Gdad]

I'm surprised that Tokina hasn't made their new lenses for Nikon with the in lens motor. Canon has had motor driven lenses for years now. They also don't have a big selection of lenses.

It is curious- especially since they make a Canon version of the lens which would obviously need the motor- for the exact same price I might add.