What camera settings work best for concert photography with a Canon 750D and 55-250mm lens?
Asked 8/4/2016
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I shoot concerts with a Canon 750D and usually need to work from different seating distances, so I use a 55-250mm lens for flexibility. My main concern is getting usable indoor concert shots when the lens is only around f/5.6 at the long end. I was considering Av mode, spot metering, and ISO 1600. Are there better settings or approaches for this kind of low-light concert photography with this camera and lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
9y ago
2 Answers
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The main issue is going to be getting a shutter speed high enough to "freeze" the action, when you're using a lens with an f/5.6 or f/6.5 maximum aperture. Most folks give up the capability to zoom and go for a longer prime lens, like the EF 85 f/1.8 USM, EF 100/2 USM. Because even at iso 3200 or 6400, you may still be pushing it at f/5.6, shutter speed-wise, depending on how much stage lighting you've got.
Also, FYI, due to a lot of folks using radio triggers for flashes and shutter releases, it's incredibly easy to find a Canon N3-to-2.5mm cable these days, so someone could probably change out the 2.5mm male to a 3.5mm female connector (or you could use a 2.5mm->3.5mm adapter and a 3.5mm-3.5mm coupler), so you could use your current bulb cable release on a higher-end Canon. Also, the XXD bodies starting with the 60D and later, use a 2.5mm port for cable release, just like the dRebels.
Originally by user27440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user27440
9y ago
0
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The biggest challenge is not the camera body, but getting a fast enough shutter speed to freeze performers in low light. With the 55-250mm at about f/5.6, you may struggle even at ISO 3200 or 6400, depending on the stage lighting.
Aperture priority can work, but for concerts the key is to watch shutter speed closely. If it drops too low, motion blur will be the main problem. Spot metering can help with bright stage lighting, but exposure may still vary a lot from scene to scene.
If your results are too dark or too blurry, the practical solution is usually a faster lens rather than different settings. Many concert shooters choose a fast prime instead of a zoom, such as an 85mm f/1.8 or 100mm f/2, because the wider aperture gives much better shutter speeds in the same light.
So: use the widest aperture available, be ready to raise ISO above 1600 if needed, and prioritize shutter speed enough to freeze movement. If you often shoot concerts, a fast prime will make a much bigger difference than changing from the 750D to another similar camera body.
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