Camera rental recs for concert

July 2, 2023 12:50 PM

I'm going to a big concert and also have the pleasure of. being sent to review it and take photos during the first two songs. What camera/lens should I rent that will be easy and quick enough?

I have some professional skills but pretend I don't.


What camera/lens should I rent for the best, most foolproof photos? I'll be dealing with an outdoor venue in the evening and changing lights in addition to the usual motion of a band. I will probably be nervous in the moment and don't want to have to remember a lot of photo stuff.

I'll be renting this online from Borrow Lenses unless there's a better site.

posted by mermaidcafe to Technology (7 answers total)

I would rent whatever camera body/lenses your currently most familiar with (and if you’re not familiar with any that they stock, what I’d be doing in your shoes is using my cell camera if you have a current generation flagship phone or access to one).
posted by not just everyday big moggies at 2:15 PM on July 2, 2023

How far are you going to be from the stage? That dictates what kind of lens to get. Not knowing anything else about the situation, I'd probably rent a 70-200mm F2.8 lens, set the camera to auto everything, shoot some shots before the concert, and then see if you can make adjustments from there. Any camera you rent that takes that lens will be totally fine, but I'd stick with whatever you're most familiar with. If there's nothing you're familiar with I'd go for a Sony A7 III or IV for its size and resolution.


But really, at this point in the 21st century, the best most foolproof photos will probably come from your phone.
posted by jonathanhughes at 2:21 PM on July 2, 2023

A lot of venues won’t allow “professional” cameras in the crowd. If you make arrangements ahead of time, you might be able to get a press pass and access to closer areas. That means you can bring a shorter lens, too.
posted by bug138 at 2:25 PM on July 2, 2023 [2 favorites]

If you're going with a press pass I presume you'll be up against the stage past the security barrier (the usual arrangement in my experience). I'd get as fast of a lens as possible and stick the camera on aperture priority (P for Professional as the saying goes).

Depending on your shooting style, I'd go with a 24-70 2.8, or you can even do great things with a 50 1.8 though it's obviously less flexible.
posted by matrixclown at 7:40 PM on July 2, 2023

Apologies, misread that you already have press credentials.

If it were me I would rent a Canon R5 body and an RF 70-200mm f2.8.
I’d shoot it at f4-f8 and at least 1/1000 and let the iso float.
posted by bug138 at 7:57 PM on July 2, 2023

Definitely rent a brand you are familiar with. Modern SLR and mirrorless cameras are increasingly complicated.

Secondly, can you rent multiple lens? I'd want the fastest i.e. lowest aperture prime lens as possible to deal with low light situations and then I'd want a zoom lens in the neighborhood of what bug138 mentions.
posted by mmascolino at 5:52 AM on July 3, 2023

Response by poster: the past I’ve had a Canon (not sure which model), a Nikon DSLR (model from around 2010) and an entry level mirrorless Sony from 2016.

I think I’ll be shooting from the mixing board. Hoping to avoid swapping out lenses bc I’d rather eliminate any room for error.

Don’t want to use my phone; want to have more focal zoom.

I’m sure that this question is heresy to seasoned photographers , but are there any options that have pre-programmed modes that might work? If there is one that has a good balance of shutter speed and aperture, that’d be ideal.
posted by mermaidcafe at 9:11 AM on July 3, 2023