good lens for nightlife/dark venues?

[barnesquared]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a good lens to take with me to bars/club venues. I have a Canon Digital Rebel XT with the kit lens. I plan to be in lowlight settings and taking shots of the venue and some group shots (also in low light).

I don't have a very large budget since I'm just starting out (and shooting in bars/clubs for a nightlife newsletter is a prospective "job" right now) so a lens more than $300 is out of the question. I know I won't have the best lens with a budget less than $300, but there has to be something out there that will suit my needs and do a decent job (fast lens, fast focusing), at least better than the rebel xt's kit lens.

how's the canon 50mm f1.8 for a job like this? any other suggestions?

thanks for all your help :)
barron

[Bluedog]

The 50mm might be OK for some shots but not everything. To stay within your budget your gonna need a something like a 20mm or 24mm Prime lens. Both Sigma and Canon make some that just might be your best bet.

The f/2.8 wide angle zooms run around an average of $475 and up.

[ReF]

the tamron 28-75 f2.8 xr di is about $379 online but i heard finding them in stock can be a problem. non USM lenses can be a bit noisy and might attract unwanted attention. non HSM sigmas are even louder. the tamron doesn't have a USM or HSM equivalent motor but i find it to be pretty quiet when focusing.

[Rex914]

If you can find one, the brand new Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is the way to go. I've only heard good things about this lens. Too bad it's so popular right now that it's sold out all over.