Advice on concert photography

[captainslack]

I'm taking in a concert at a local club (The Cats Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC) tomorrow night. They allow cameras, so I'm thinking of bringing one of mine along to get some shots. This will be the first time I've ever attempted anything like this, so I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do or what gear to bring. Here are my choices:

Bessa-T
Zorki 6
Kiev 4am
Leica IIf
Nikon FE

There's also a Nikon D70s, but I don't want to bring that (too bulky and expensive). I'm leaning against the FE for reasons of bulk as well. My lens selection would be either an Industar 61, Jupiter 8, or a Elmar 3.5 in LTM or either a Helios 103 or Jupiter 12 if I brought the Kiev.

I'm leaning toward the Bessa as it has a built in meter. Both of my handhelds are selenium meters and probably won't work in the dim lighting I'm expecting to run into.

Speaking of lighting, anyone have a film to recommend? I normally shoot Ilford, so I was thinking of trying a roll of their 1600 B&W or being really daring and pushing Delta 400 to 1600. What do ya think?

 

[wtl]

Sounds like you already made up your mind so I won't comment on the camera.

Delta 400 is a contrasty film. Push to 1600 is fine but it might be very contrasty for the concert shots. Fuji Neopan 1600 is a beautiful film, if you can get some.

 

[ywenz]

A metered camera is probably not really that useful to shoot a control-lit environment. You can probably leave it at one setting and use it all night.

If I were you though, I'd probably use the D70s with a fast prime lens....

 

[furcafe]

Based on your list of RF equipment, I would go w/the Bessa T & Jupiter 8 (that's the 85/2, right?), assuming you have the right VF, because of its built-in meter & high magnification RF. Shooting concerts using available light is precisely when you want to use the fastest glass in your bag. For film, I heavily ditto the suggestion of Fuji Neopan 1600 for B&W. For color, I would go for Fuji's NPZ (nominal ISO 800) or Pro 800Z (which is now replacing NPZ), shot @ 640 (regular process) or 1250 (1-stop push). For a gritty, bluish look in E6, you can try Fuji Provia 400F @ 1250 or 1600 (2-stop push), but the super-contrasty lighting conditions typical of concert venues will be a challenge for a newbie. Also, despite its relative bulk, I wouldn't discount the D70s, especially if the band is "high energy" & you need autofocus or longer glass . . . Re: metering, I respectfully disagree w/ywenz in that IME stages are *not* uniformly lit because lights will be flashing on & off, varying in intensity, & performers usually move between different parts of the stage that also vary greatly in light intensity.

If you have any doubts about the lighting situation, visit the Cat's Cradle tonight or before the show tomorrow to meter the scene, check out the angles, & get an idea of what you'll be dealing with. You'll probably find the usual combination of pitch-black shadow areas & bright spotlighted areas. You need to remember not to blow out those spotlighted areas (e.g., where the lead singer usually is), as that's where most of the pictorial interest is, while still using the extra speed to capture detail in darker areas on stage (e.g., like where the drummer usually is).

 

[VinceC]

Many concerts change their lighting thoughout the show, which can be a pain with handheld metering. Through-the-lens metering is helpful, especially if the stage is appreciably brighter than the audience.

 

[Chaser]

I would avoid the kiev zorki and IIF if they have dimish finders as it can be hard enough to focus in a concert venue and you will need all of the brightness and clarity you can get. If it was me i would load up te T with neopan 1600 j8 combo and/or grab the D70s if i had a fast lens. My main kit for concerts is a canon 10d with 50mm f1.8 100mm f2 and a leica with a 35mm f1.2.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Bessa T with the Jupiter 8.

 

[simonankor]

Lighting will vary depending on the concert! I shoot jazz gigs a lot and they tend to just switch the lights on and leave them there, which makes picking the metering easy. That said, I do use in-camera metering.

Personally, I'd take the longest, fastest lens available to me, and whichever camera sits behind it most comfortably. And also something wider for atmosphere shots. It depends on the venue and how close you can get to the band, but I've only been to one gig where I could just shoot a 50mm and be happy with it 😉

 

[ch1]

I too would go with the D70 and a fast wide prime (remember that 1.5 lens factor) plus the Bessa/Jupiter 8. I'd try the D70 at 800ISO to keep the noise down and use NEF/RAW so you have plenty of pixels to work with in PS.

 

[ywenz]

it's a concert inside a club, so I assume there won't be a fancy lighting setup...

If you have a digital P&S, those can be great meters. Just shot and note the camera setting upon playback... I'd trust that more than any old meters you might use.

 

[FrankS]

How large is the venue? If it's an intimate setting then a 50mm lens would be fine, but if you may be back a bit, you may need the telephoto on the Kiev to get anything interesting.

 

[back alley]

the 85 and a 35 would work well.
delta 3200 @ 1600 would be another way to go.
it will likely be contrasty lighting, meter off the face if possible.

for concerts i always loved my t90 or eos 1 and the spot meter.

 

[FrankS]

I was also thinking that Diaphine would be a good low-contrast developer to use with TriX film @1000.

 

[broadie]

Cat's cradle is great. Pretty cozy atmosphere, so I'd say one could probably get away with a 50, but closer is probably always better.
So, who are you going to see play there?

 

[RayPA]

This might sound simplistic, but the only lighting I would suggest for you to bring is a small flashlight to check your cameras, even with the fancy ones, that light up, seeing controls can be tough in the dark. I just went through this about two weeks ago. I'm getting old and losing that youthful night vision. 😀



🙂

 

[ch1]

Just wondering why they "allow" cameras? Does this mean a lot of folks will be popping flashes all night from their P&S's (digi and film)?

Could be annoying in a club (as opposed to an arena or stadium) environment.

Well, whatever you bring, be sure to have a good time - remember, you're there to enjoy yourself - don't let the pic taking distract you from the music! 😱

 

[captainslack]

Well, whatever you bring, be sure to have a good time - remember, you're there to enjoy yourself - don't let the pic taking distract you from the music! 😱

Which is part of the reason I don't want to bring the D70s. It's huge and the only lens I have (a Sigma 24-70mm f/2) makes it even bigger. It would be the idea tool for the assignment otherwise, but this isn't an assigment. It's a night out with my wife & a friend.

Looks like the Bessa T & J-8 are getting the nod. Not sure where it came across that I had an 85mm lens. I don't, but wish I did. That would be nice to have. Except for the J-12 that's on my Kiev, I've only got 50's. Have to try and change that sometime this year.

Have to try and find a roll of the Neopan 1600. Seems to come widely recommended. Hope it plays will with DDX.

We're going to see Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins. She's the singer for a band called Rilo Kiley. My buddy is a big fan of hers. I've just listened to her album recently and her music is pretty cool. Should be an interesting time.

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Enjoy it man, looking forward to images.

 

[Uncle Bill]

I shot in a similar environment with Ilford Delta 3200

I shot in a similar environment with Ilford Delta 3200

I used a Kiev III with Jupiter 8 and 9 and packed one of my Gossen meters. The results below speak for themselves. Flash was a total pain so from now on I go with really fast film and love the grain.

Bill 😉

 

[furcafe]

Dude, many small clubs, bars, restaurants, etc. have "fancy" enough lighting that having TTL metering is a big help. It doesn't take sophisticated equipment to create lighting that varies in intensity over time & in various parts of the "stage."

it's a concert inside a club, so I assume there won't be a fancy lighting setup...