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Best Nikon Lenses for Concert Photography

best-nikon-lenses-for-concert-photography

Want to shoot concerts but don’t know what type of lenses to look for? That’s why we made this list of best Nikon lenses for concert photography, and what matters when buying one.

There’s usually not a lot of light at concerts, that’s why you need a fast lens that can let in a lot of light (f/2.8, f/2 and even bigger). You’re also not allowed to bring a flash, so this is another important reason why a fast lens is a must!

Having a lens with a big aperture allows you to use faster shutter speeds, making your shots sharper and clearer!

Your focal length is also important! If you’re relatively close to the stage, then anything between 24 and 85mm is perfect, but if shooting from far away then a telephoto such as the 70-200mm is a must.

All lenses below have amazing image quality, are fast and perfect for any low light situation, not just concerts, and offer a great value for the price.

Best prime lenses we recommend for concerts:
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S
Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S

Best zoom lenses we recommend:
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM

You automatically support us if you order anything through our Amazon links, and we highly recommend them because of their low prices, fast delivery and top support, especially when it comes to camera equipment.

Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX

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The Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX is small, optically great and also the most affordable Nikon lens out there.

Because of its large f/1.8 aperture, the lens gathers a lot of light and is perfect for low light situations (concerts, clubs, night photography etc.). This means less blurred shots and more high quality images when shooting in dark places.

Another reason why f/1.8 is so good is because it allows you to completely blur the background, making your subject stand out (called shallow depth of field). It’s the easiest and quickest way to make your shots look professional. You can always choose a smaller aperture though, and have more in focus on your shot (if you’re trying to get the whole band/group).

Who is this lens good for? Wedding, portrait, casual, low light, indoor photographers. The focal length is actually perfect for almost everything except for wildlife, and combined with the f/1.8 the quality of your shots will look absolutely stunning.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S

nikon-50mm-18Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S replaces the old, but best selling 50mm f/1.8D that couldn’t auto focus on bodies like the D5300 that have no AF motor. This new version however, works perfectly and will also auto focus on it without any issues.

Quality wise, it’s just like the 35mm above, and also features the same aperture size. Due to a slightly longer focal length, its bokeh (background blur) looks more pleasing and makes it more appropriate if you’re really into portraits or like having a shallow depth of field on your images.

It’s slightly heavier and bigger, takes 58mm filters but is still extremely compact! Perfect for those who travel and want 1, high quality prime lens.

Who is this lens good for? Everyone, from extreme low light, clubs, street photography, to portraits and weddings, sports, animals, products etc. Think of it as a slightly longer brother of the 35mm.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S

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The Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S is perfect for weddings, portraits, street and concert photography.

With superb image quality, beautiful colors and bokeh, this is one of the best lenses Nikon has ever made. The focal length makes it perfect for situations where you can’t or don’t want to get in front of your subject (typical for concerts and weddings). 85mm is also a great length for photographing faces as wider angles tend to distort faces, while longer lengths do work but often force you to get too far from your subject.

Like both prime lenses above, this one also features a large f/1.8 opening, so low light photography won’t be an issue at all. Combined with D500’s amazing low light performance, you can literally shoot in any condition!

Who is this lens for? Wedding, portrait, concert and street photographers. However, it can also be used for sports and many other types, don’t let the millimeters limit your creativity!

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Best Zooms for Concert Photography

Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

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The Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED is a huge, relatively heavy, amazingly sharp wideangle lens.

If you own an FX body and want as little distortion as possible, with great colors, contrast and overall performance, the 14-24mm is worth it.

It’s got a closest focusing distance of 0.9ft/0.28m, 2 ED elements for making sure there’s little to no chromatic aberration, and Nano coating for reduced ghosting and flares.

Since it’s got an f/2.8 aperture, you can use this lens for both indoor and outdoor situations, and if you own one of the latest FX DSLRs with great high ISO performance, you’re gonna love it.

Who is this lens for? Anyone looking for an extremely good wideangle zoom lens that will never need a replacement.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S

nikon-70-200mm-2.8-telephoto-lensThe Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II AF-S is one of the sharpest Nikon zooms available, with superb image quality and excellent overall performance. It’s perfect for both hobby and professional shooters who simply want the best there is, without ever needing to upgrade.

The 70-200mm range and f/2.8 aperture make it perfect for concerts, weddings, sports, reporters and animals, and its auto focus is super fast and accurate.

Who is this lens for? Sports, portraits, weddings, concerts, action, animals (200mm is too short for serious wildlife), landscape, traveling (although not as light as many other lenses), whenever high quality is a must.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSMsigma-18-35mm-1.8-zoom-lens

A couple of years ago, large apertures were only possible on prime lenses, but Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM changed that in 2013. You’re looking at an optically superb, wide-to-standard large aperture lens that could save you a lot of money and weight (1 zoom with f/1.8 instead of 3 primes with f/1.8).

Not familiar with Sigma’s terms? The lens features HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which means the lens is very quick and accurate at focusing. You can also expect beautiful background blur thanks to 9 diaphragm blades, especially when wide open.

Besides amazing quality in still photography, the lens is perfect for videos as well, thanks to its smooth focus and zoom rings.

Who is this lens for? If you like the quality and aperture of short prime lenses but don’t like their limited focal length, this lens solves your issue and gives you more freedom.

You can buy it at Amazon or read more reviews here.

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