Taylor Hawkins on drums and lead vocalist Dave Grohl perform with their band the Foo Fighters for a packed Air Canada Centre in Toronto on July 9, 2011. JENNIFER ROBERTS FOR THE GLOBE AND MAILJENNIFER ROBERTS/The Globe and Mail
To ask a question of one of our photographers or editors, leave a comment in this thread. Our photographers and editors will also answer comments elsewhere on Photo Desk and in future live chats. These questions and answers have been lightly edited.
My main interest is in shooting in a live music environment and also doing some photojournalism. My question is which lenses are best suited for these fields of photography?
-thomas363
A lot depends on where you will be shooting from and under what condition. Shooting concerts is going to require a fast lens. There are some that are well lit but those are few and far between. For us here at the Globe there are three lenses that are a must for concerts.
16-35mm 2.8
70-200mm 2.8
300mm 2.8
The 16-35mm is for when you are right up front and the artist is in your face. The 70-200 is another great lens for when you're up front but can't move around a lot so you need the extra length to shoot across the stage. And the 300 is for the times when you are sent way back to the sound board. You might need a 1.4 extender at times. This typically happens with larger or older acts.My advice would be to try and find fast used lenses for now and keep in mind the type of access you are going to get. There are places that will rent you lenses as well if you don't have what you need.
David Lucas: Assistant Photo Editor
I work at a small weekly newspaper. We need an affordable camera (preferably a Nikon, they're what I'm familiar with) that can take low light shots in places like hockey rinks, high school gyms and curling clubs. It needs to shoot at least 1600 iso, preferably 3200 or even higher because we'll have to use a slower, less expensive lens. It has to make printable shots without a flash that stops the action. Obviously we can't afford anything like a D3X and there are no camera shops around here to test drive any equipment.
-speakweek
Which Nikon cameras are you currently using ? There are a number of options available but it would help to know what kind of budget you have to work with. DX or FX sensor size ? Off the top of my head I would suggest the D700 but that might push the price bracket and it's very likely that new bodies *might* be announced early next year if you can wait.
Another path might be to update your lenses from the slow variable aperture zooms to a faster constant aperture lens like the 70-200 2.8. This lens won't be cheap but if you find yourself shooting in dim venues, it could make your life much easier and let you capture those key sports action photos. If this isn't an option, perhaps consider Sanjuro's advice and get a less expensive fast prime lens. The 50 1.4 or 85/2 on a DX body would do well for the sports you cover.
I understand the realities of working for small weeklies and the less than ideal budgets but having the right equipment is part of the equation to producing a better looking paper and providing your community with quality content.
Fred Lum: Staff Photojournalist
If you must cover an outdoor event and it is raining, how do you protect your camera?
If you possess equipment that the manufacturer claims is weather-sealed, how confident are you that you do not need to take any other precautions?
-Post Impressionism
There are a number of poncho like products out there that you can use if your worried about your equipment. The newer pro cameras are sealed against the rain to a point so my major concern would be the lenses. I have used everything from a ziplock bag to plain old plastic bag to keep water out. One of the other concerns if you are using a plastic bag is condensation inside your lens or camera. When you come in from the rain I would towel off the outside of the camera and lens and with caps on put them both in a bag of rice. The rice will absorb any moisture that remains.
David Lucas: Assistant Photo Editor