Choosing Lenses for Live Music Photography. Given the shooting constraints of concert photography, from song limits to bad lighting, the last thing you want to do is show up for a gig lenses that aren’t cut out for the job. If you’re just starting out with shooting live music, here are a few suggestions for lenses that are up to the low-light challenge of concert photography, including f/2.8 zooms and fast primes.
Lens Upgrade Path: Maybe you’ve shot a few shows with the kit lens or perhaps you’ve stuck it out for years and you’re looking for some new glass. Assuming your current lenses don’t cut it, here are a few standard lenses available in the most popular mounts, including Nikon and Canon, that are up to the task. 50mm f/1.4 – The Fast Prime: The ubiquitous 50mm lens gets around for a few reasons, not the least of which is its fast aperture. If your shooting conditions require something a little wider, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is also a great low-light solution. 17-55 mm f/2.8 – The Midrange Zoom: 70-200mm f/2.8 – The telephoto Zoom: