What len (s) for Event Photography: I was hired to photograph The Women of Note Christmas party and want to know what lens would be the best to use? I have a Canon 70D, 430 flash, 50...

toptrainer Loc: Wellington

I was hired to photograph The Women of Note Christmas party and want to know what lens would be the best to use? I have a Canon 70D, 430 flash, 50
mm 1.8, 28-135, 70-300DO Is Ums, 55-250 and an 18-55 lens. I will be doing some shots off stage and in the dressing room and then after that Santa Shots. I will be in the crowd shooting on stage in a low light setting. Any suggestions would be great, and suggestions on lenses I should get.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

For events with my crop sensored Nikon, the 17-55 was my go-to lens.
Constant 2.8 aperture and razor sharp.
Canon makes one with the same spec's.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I have also used the Sigma 18-35 1.8 at small events with a good bit of success. It depends on the size of the venue. Is this a resturant or ballroom?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

dsmeltz wrote:

I have also used the Sigma 18-35 1.8 at small events with a good bit of success. It depends on the size of the venue. Is this a resturant or ballroom?

That Sigma looks like another great option!

Cappy Loc: Wildwood, NJ

I would use the 18-55 and the 70-300. Sometimes you may want only a head shot with an expression or shoot from the back of the room and want it focused on the stage but with some of the attendees in the foreground.
A lot depends on the lighting on how fast a lens you need and if you can use a flash.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Cappy wrote:

I would use the 18-55 and the 70-300. Sometimes you may want only a head shot with an expression or shoot from the back of the room and want it focused on the stage but with some of the attendees in the foreground.
A lot depends on the lighting on how fast a lens you need and if you can use a flash.

If you use flash you can use a slower lens, but then you have to know what the room is like. Are there surfaces to bounce light from? A low dark ceiling or a high bright ceiling can eat the light from a flash and you might need to go off camera or a good diffusser. If there is a lot of ambient light, you can use a flash on camera and just pull it down a bit for fill only.

Do you know much about the room?

ASR666 Loc: Singapore

for the offstage and santa shots the 18-55 lens + 430 flash should be fine. Depending on available light iso 800 or 1600, shutter speed of 1/125 and f/stop of 5.6 or 7.1.

for the stage shots, the 28-135 sounds right unless the room is big in which case the 70-300. the lens is slow and the 430 is a smallish flash so you may need to crank the iso way up or position yourself close to the stage.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

toptrainer wrote:

I was hired to photograph The Women of Note Christmas party and want to know what lens would be the best to use? I have a Canon 70D, 430 flash, 50
mm 1.8, 28-135, 70-300DO Is Ums, 55-250 and an 18-55 lens. I will be doing some shots off stage and in the dressing room and then after that Santa Shots. I will be in the crowd shooting on stage in a low light setting. Any suggestions would be great, and suggestions on lenses I should get.

Sounds like it will have close tight quarters. If only one lens then the 18-55 appears to be the most useful. If a second lens is able to be taken the 28-135 would be my other choice or second choice the 70-300 if you anticipate being at a distance but from what you say it sounds mostly up close and personal and the 18-55 covers this. My small opinion.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Hard to say on longer lens without knowing layout, but best guess would be 28-135 for longer shots, 18-55 in / around dressing area OR just take the 50 and the 18-55 and leave the rest and be happy but a little more tired from moving around. lol

Aaron Braganza Loc: Sydney, Australia

GoofyNewfie wrote:

For events with my crop sensored Nikon, the 17-55 was my go-to lens.
Constant 2.8 aperture and razor sharp.
Canon makes one with the same spec's.

Same for me as well, best lens for a cropped sensor
Although on an fx camera , I would suggest 24-120m f4 is my choice