Event photographers, do you switch between multiple lenses and if yes, how do you decide when?

Yes, I switch. If I want a shot I can't get with my current lens I put a different one on, even if it's just for a few exposures (I tried taking several cameras instead of switching, it's just not for me though).

Changing lenses makes sense because I use lenses that go from fairly wide angle (17mm) to 200/300mm, and they serve very different purposes, In your case I'd probably not bother because the only difference the 50mm brings is a somewhat wider aperture. That's only useful if you find it's too dark for your camera to focus properly with the kit lens,but the more shallow depth of field you'd hardly be able to utilize. So, unless the optical quality of the 18-55mm is noticeably inferiour, putting on the 50mm will mainly just limit your shooting options.

Extending your range with a farther-reaching lens would make sense, but if you have little interest in telephoto-angles yourself aside from using them for others during events, you have to carefully evaluate if spending the money on them is worth it.

/r/photography Thread