Shooting from the pit with a DX Nikon 17-55 or 24-70?

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carguy

Senior Member
have been shooting more concerts these past two summers. I have a D7100 and have been using my 50mm & 85mm 1.8G primes. Looking to upgrade to short zoom for this and shooting more events in general.

On my DX body I'm reading the 17-55mm range will be better suited than the 24-70mm. No plans to upgrade to an FX body in the immediate future.

Interested in experienced input from the group.

Thank you.
 
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Eyelight

Senior Member
How did the 50mm and 85mm cover for you?

When you needed to zoom with your feet, was it a little or a lot? Was it within the 50-85 range or higher or lower?

Was you always trying to get closer or trying to back up and get more in the frame?
 
C

carguy

Senior Member
I find the 85mm works well when I want to shoot tighter head shots and detail. I use the 50mm most of the time and find I wish I had room either way (wide or narrow) during the set. I have one body at present.

While I have tried shooting part of a set with one than switching to the other, often I wished I had the other on at times when an opportunity presents itself. I'd really like the zoom/telephoto for an all in one package.
 
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Eyelight

Senior Member
Sounds like if you are looking to use one lens, it would need to be the 24-70mm between those two. Although, the 70mm view is there in the middle of the 55mm. So, using the 7100 & 17-55mm gives more range to the extent you can crop the final image.

Do you usually end up shooting wide open, or could you get by with at f/3.5 for most of the shots and maybe keep the 50mm 1.8 handy? Bunch more lenses to choose from if you lower the bar an max aperture.
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
I shot one indoor concert, so I'm not talking from a lot of concert experience. I found the 24-70mm on my D600 was perfect. Plenty to back out for a wide shot and I could close in on a single person pretty well.

So doing the math, I think I would go with the 17-55mm on a D7100 due to crop factor.

On a side note, wow! Concerts can be a tough gig to shoot. Light then dark, focus can't focus, aaaahhhhhh!!! I found I shot a whole lot of crap to get a few golden nuggets. My hats off to you for continuing to put your hand back in the fire. :)
 
C

carguy

Senior Member
Eyelight said:
Sounds like if you are looking to use one lens, it would need to be the 24-70mm between those two. Although, the 70mm view is there in the middle of the 55mm. So, using the 7100 & 17-55mm gives more range to the extent you can crop the final image.

Do you usually end up shooting wide open, or could you get by with at f/3.5 for most of the shots and maybe keep the 50mm 1.8 handy? Bunch more lenses to choose from if you lower the bar an max aperture.
Click to expand...

I try to not crop my images if possible.

I've been shooting outdoor concerts at night at f2.8. While I have good ISO performance with the D7100, I still don't want to have to crank it up more than I need to.
 
C

carguy

Senior Member
Moab Man said:
I shot one indoor concert, so I'm not talking from a lot of concert experience. I found the 24-70mm on my D600 was perfect. Plenty to back out for a wide shot and I could close in on a single person pretty well.

So doing the math, I think I would go with the 17-55mm on a D7100 due to crop factor.

On a side note, wow! Concerts can be a tough gig to shoot. Light then dark, focus can't focus, aaaahhhhhh!!! I found I shot a whole lot of crap to get a few golden nuggets. My hats off to you for continuing to put your hand back in the fire. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks :)

I have missed the focus on a shot here and there recently, but for the most part I'm happy with my captures. I'm really trying to expand into more shows and events and would like to pursue this niche to start charging for my services. Hence the interest in stepping things up a little gear wise.
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
carguy said:
Thanks :)

Hence the interest in stepping things up a little gear wise.
Click to expand...

I wish I could merge the ISO/low light capability of my D600 with the AF of my D7100. Time and again the D7100 kicks my D600's proverbial AF butt. I can see it now, the love child offspring D7700.
 
B

Bill16

Senior Member
Congrats buddy! I think it's great that your finding a nitche your really liking! :D

carguy said:
Thanks :)

I have missed the focus on a shot here and there recently, but for the most part I'm happy with my captures. I'm really trying to expand into more shows and events and would like to pursue this niche to start charging for my services. Hence the interest in stepping things up a little gear wise.
Click to expand...
 
C

carguy

Senior Member
Looks like used 17-55 glass is $800+

Considering the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 EX DC OS HSM ($669 on sale now for $519) or Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR DI-II LD ($499)

Any reasons not to go with one of the 3rd party lenses above?
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
carguy said:
Looks like used 17-55 glass is $800+

Considering the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 EX DC OS HSM ($669 on sale now for $519) or Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 XR DI-II LD ($499)

Any reasons not to go with one of the 3rd party lenses above?
Click to expand...

The 3rd party lenses that you mentioned do not hold their resale value that well. Nikon lens is like a tank and built well. I only wish Nikon updates that lens although I am no longer concerned about it since I use better FX lenses.
 
C

carguy

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
What reasonings did you use with your previous lens purchase? Are you happy with your decision?
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It's been consistent. Just looking at the budget for the next lens and what I plan to do with it is all. There is a 17-55 for sale locally I'll check out this weekend.
 
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singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
I've already said that I like the 17-55, but after reviewing a bunch of concert and bar band shots, I find that almost all were taken with my old 80-200 or current 70-200. Very few shot with 17-55 or 24-70. Here's one from last year as an example.

JFS_0921.jpg
 
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