Most concerts I've shot have been with 400D w/ Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM and Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM. Recently I added Canon EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM and Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM.

I use the principal of "Use your pixels wisely". That means, I frame every frame as thightly as I can, so I use my pixels of the subject I want to show to my audience. The main reason for this is the noise my 400D is generating with high ISO (800/1600). I also get a much better/cleaner result by using this method when I've to use a noise-remover programs in post processing.


If you have the propper distance to the stage I would recommend 50mm f/1.2, if and only. ifyou are familiar with the lens.

Be conscious about the stage light and how they could help you to make a great shoot and a acceptable shutter-time. For example to get the performers hair back-lit.
When I shot my first concerts, I looked at band-videos on the web, to get familiar with the bands apperance and if they had any special individual-bandmember-shows, such as a wild/intense guitar or drumsolos.The reasonwas to visualize how I would try to capture such a event.

Be sure to know, If you only get the three first songs infront of the stage you have to be fast to get the "standard" pictures