And the redundant lens issssss...?

[Shacklebolt]

Music festival coming up. Some day shots, some night/indoor (aka "low light action portraiture ;-) ). High stages etc, but still in the pit. Have the following at my disposal, and blatantly thinking of leaving a specific one behind. Which do you think it is (or, which would you?)

70-200 2.8
24-70 2,8
17-55 2.8
85 1.4
50 1.4

 

[Shacklebolt]

Follow-up: Camera bodies are D300 and D80: no full frame awesomeness or psychotically low noise, but love em both. MYexperience puts max usable (in low light) ISO at 640 mayybe 800 for the D80, and 2000 mayyyybe (but please no) 2500 on the D300. Needed end res for shots is 800pix max.

I'd like to have a specific lens configuration in mind, and I've been loathsomely bad at planning in advance for this in the past.

What do you plan to put on each? (I.e. " Reserve [x] and [y] for D80, others for D300")

 

[stradale33]

My guess...

...based on next to no experience
(I'll be interested to see what others suggest and what your thinking is)

For the D300 chuck the 70-200 on, have the 17-55 handy if you want some wide angle.

On the D80 chuck on the 50mm 1.4, have the 85 1.4 handy. Fast lens allowing for lower ISO.

The 24-70 misses out leaving a hole in focal length from 56 - 69 which doesn't seem too significant - but then again I'm only really replying to remind myself to check the thread to see what others said.

 

[Bonch]

Keep the 17-55/2.8 and 85/1.4. Sell the rest.

 

[El Cabong]

I think the 24-70 is the most redundant, although it's a great lens.

I'd keep the 70-200 on the D300, possibly switch it out for the 85/50 if low light is really bothersome. 17-55 would stay on the D80 for the wide-angle shots. Possibly stick one of the 1.4's on it if you're not using the wide-angle and not using them on the D300. Prefer zooms in a crowd, and stage lighting will hopefully work for the 2.8.

 

[Shacklebolt]

I think the 24-70 is the most redundant, although it's a great lens.

I'd keep the 70-200 on the D300, possibly switch it out for the 85/50 if low light is really bothersome. 17-55 would stay on the D80 for the wide-angle shots. Possibly stick one of the 1.4's on it if you're not using the wide-angle and not using them on the D300. Prefer zooms in a crowd, and stage lighting will hopefully work for the 2.8.

This is pretty much what I was thinking, and yes, the 24-70 was the answer.

Like the sentiment with the sell everything else, but going to a festival without a 70-200 2.8 is like going to the top of everest without oxygen: you CAN, but it's a lousy idea.

 

[Bonch]

It's just big is all. The more nimble you are the more intimate your shots will be, imo. I'd choose a 16-35/2.8 and an 85/1.8 or a 135/2 (on 5D2). But that's me. Have a good time brother.