I have a Canon Rebel EOS with a standard 28-80mm lens... Is that good to use for indoor concerts and shows?

Im doing some photos for some different bands that im friends with. Is my camera and my lens a good one to use? ill be close them, but there will be moshing involved. I will be anywhere between, 5-25 feet away, and i'll be moving around the floor. also what shutter speed should i set it on? I usually like to have it on 2000.plz help

Concert photography is more about the ISO than the camera.

1. You'd want at least an SLR which you have.

2. Decide how much grain/noise you want with your photos.

3. If you want a flash, which you might depending on the ISO you pick, get a decent one and know how to use it and know what is where BEFORE the concert.

Good camera. Good lens. Shutter speed should be between 1/60th and 1 /250th or so. A good powerful flash would help too - if you can use one.

Taking photographs at concerts is certainly one of the most difficult tasks a photographer can do. Try get in close as you can because the more you have to zoom, the higher the aperture (less light can enter the lens). Also, this camera has a low noise level at high ISO ratings so set the ISO to 1600. That will allow a faster shutter speed. Don't let the shutter speed go any lower than 1/40 (1/20 if you're super steady). The aperture should be the lowest possible. set the camera on Shutter Priority and set the shutter speed allowing the camera to automatically set the aperture. If the photos are a little underexposed, they can be lightened up using the software that camera with your camera.
Also, experiment. Use slower shutter speeds and see what creative photos you can come up with.

Good luck :-)

This lens is good for general work (as long as your fairly close). If you're unsure of the shutter speed, keep it on Automatic.

You're going to have a pretty hard time with that lens. The standard kit lenses that Canon packages with their consumer cameras aren't great. They're OK for snapshot shooting in good light, but for challenging conditions, they're not the best choice.

Your lens has an aperture range of f3.5-5.6, which is pretty dark for indoor concert photography. If you've got the money, you'll have a lot better luck with a Canon "L-series" lens with the lowest aperture number you can afford. Canon zoom lenses are available with apertures down to about f2.8. If you know you'll be close enough not to need much zoom, you could use a prime lens (fixed focal length) with an even lower aperture, below f2.0.

You'll basically be shooting in the dark, so slow shutter speeds will be required to get a proper exposure. 1/2000th sec won't work. If you're standing among moshing spectators, it will be impossible. A lens with a built-in image stabilizer element would help (more money).

A large, powerful flash unit would help a lot too. Expect to spend $500 and up for a unit that can throw enough light to take good pictures at 25 feet.

Professional concert photographers use very high quality equipment and have access to areas where they can get up close without being jostled by spectators. Since you know the bands, maybe youll have that luxury. You may find that the concert venue won't allow photography; some don't without a special pass, especially if you have equipment that looks like you're taking photos for sale.

Keep in mind that you're very likely to have your camera and/or lens damaged if you take it into a mosh pit. People throw themselves around with great abandon, and they won't be looking out for your gear.

i have the same camera and it's really good to use anywhere. you probably should set on the shatter speed, but i set it on 500 maybe 2000 will work too.

John is right about needing a lens with a larger aperature. You can get a fixed focal length 50mm f/1.8 lens for around $100. Most other lenses with that wide an opening will cost at least several hundred dollars.

About flash. Depending on the situation flash photography may not be allowed or even desired. During concerts that have special lighting you will get better "feel" if you can capture the images using that lighting versus using a flash.

Look into that 50mm lens, you will be glad you did.