Advice on concert photography

[furcafe]

That was probably my fault. I'm not up on my Jupiter numbering, which is why asked whether the Jupiter 8 was "the 85/2, right?" Doing a Google, I see that it's the Jupiter 9 that's the 85/2, so my bad.

From broadie's post, I think you'll be OK w/the 50 as long as you can get right up to the stage. A 50mm can deliver fine results from that distance, e.g., some shots I took last month (though I cropped many of the shots to square, etc.):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/sets/72057594079291778/

Note these were all on Neopan 1600. My lab uses Xtol, but I've gotten similar results from another lab that uses Ilfotec.

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.

 

[wlewisiii]

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.

I think you have a good handle on the concert, but I just want to encourage you to get a J-9 at least. It's an exquisite lens and in Kiev mount it's almost always in usable condition. (LTM is a separate game... 🙄 ) The last real concert shoot I did was last May when we went to the concert here in Madison kicking off Garbage's current tour. I used a Kiev 5 with my Jupiter 8NM & Jupiter 9 and got good results. The metering of things like that is a big bit*h so be careful. Currently, I'd use my 7 & 50/1.8, but I don't think that would do all that well. Unfortunately I don't have a fast short tele right now (90/4 Elmar in that category. Glorious lens used in it's right place ... 😀 )

William

 

[ywenz]

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."

dude - maybe, maybe not. A lot of places just have a few cheap ass par's turned up with some gels and have it lit all night. If it's not a concert venue, don't expect them to invest in lighting. I also don't expect them to use cheesy dance club lights for a concert...

 

[furcafe]

But that's my point, you can't assume that every place is going to have constant, predictable lighting, & that fact has very little to do w/any "investment" in a sophisticated lighting system, e.g., I've shot in places where they've used bundles of flashing Xmas lights. You're also ignoring the fact that even if the light intensity is constant, the light on the performers often isn't, such as when they move around.

dude - maybe, maybe not. A lot of places just have a few cheap ass par's turned up with some gels and have it lit all night. If it's not a concert venue, don't expect them to invest in lighting. I also don't expect them to use cheesy dance club lights for a concert...

 

[bmattock]

dude - maybe, maybe not. A lot of places just have a few cheap ass par's turned up with some gels and have it lit all night. If it's not a concert venue, don't expect them to invest in lighting. I also don't expect them to use cheesy dance club lights for a concert...

Maybe they have flame pots?

Best Regards,

Bill "Not Morg Or Imorg" Mattocks

 

[dadsm3]

Well, after Furcafe's I'm a little leery of posting...astonished 3200 film could have so little grain, great stuff.
A neighbor told me his band was playing, so expecting some lighting (ANY lighting) I went down with the M3 and 50mm DR 'cron, and some Tmax400. Talk about dark...there was barely a light on the band. I couldn't get a lightmeter reading if I tried, so I just set it on 1/25th and opened her up to F2. I was kind of happy I got what I did....
Mike

 

[bmattock]

Tri-X @ 1250, Diafine.

I'm still working on it - I wanted better than this. But still...

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[dadsm3]

That 1st one looks like a mid 1930's shot......nice. Forgive the newbie question, but do you mean to say you shot 400 Tri-X as if it was ISO 1250, then developed the standard time?

 

[ywenz]

That 1st shot is indeed excellent.

 

[martin-f5]

Kodak Tri-X 800 ASA in Calbe A49

Kari

Ilford HP 5 800 ASA in Tetenal Ultrafin SF

Mariano

the mariano print is as sharp, as the kari print
only the scan is much older and made with a older scanner

 

[bmattock]

That 1st one looks like a mid 1930's shot......nice. Forgive the newbie question, but do you mean to say you shot 400 Tri-X as if it was ISO 1250, then developed the standard time?

Thanks for the compliment! I used Diafine to process the film - it treats T0ri-X as ISO 1600, according to the directions. It is a two-part developer, so there is no way to 'push' process using it - it just is what it is. However, I find that Tri-X comes out too thin if rated at 1600, so I rate it at 1250. Diafine is a speed-increasing developer, much information is online here at RFF - sorry, but I have to run to work this morning.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[captainslack]

Well, no pics I'm afraid! 😡

They stopped me at the door and wouldn't let me bring my camera in. The venue itself had no problems, but apparently the band did. However, that didn't stop anyone who had a pocketable digicam or a cellphone-cam, as there were flashes going off all through the show. :bang: Story of my life, I'm afraid. I spoke to one lady after the show who did bring in her Nikon SLR. She didn't use it, but said she got harrased the entire time about it. Why even let her in if you're going to give her grief about it? Why give her grief if you're not going to do anything about all the other people being obvious about taking pictures?

OK, rant's over.

Otherwise, it was a great show and we had a nice time. Guess my roll of Neopan 1600 will go into the freezer for another time. *sigh*

 

[bmattock]

Oh man, buddy, I'm really sorry to hear that! What a situation. I'd have been ticked, but what can you do? Hope you get another chance!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[furcafe]

That blows. Not that it's any help now, but in the future, I would recommend emailing the artist &/or their manager beforehand to get permission to photograph. IME, once you explain that you're just a fan (like all the people w/the point & shoots & cellphone cams) & not shooting for professional purposes, they're quite accomodating (I also provide a link to my work) & will sometimes put you on their guest list (which is useful in venues that only permit credentialed shooters to bring their cameras).

Well, no pics I'm afraid! 😡

They stopped me at the door and wouldn't let me bring my camera in. The venue itself had no problems, but apparently the band did. However, that didn't stop anyone who had a pocketable digicam or a cellphone-cam, as there were flashes going off all through the show. :bang: Story of my life, I'm afraid. I spoke to one lady after the show who did bring in her Nikon SLR. She didn't use it, but said she got harrased the entire time about it. Why even let her in if you're going to give her grief about it? Why give her grief if you're not going to do anything about all the other people being obvious about taking pictures?

OK, rant's over.

Otherwise, it was a great show and we had a nice time. Guess my roll of Neopan 1600 will go into the freezer for another time. *sigh*

 

[NoTx]

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. 😀



🙂

Well, for the future, if you get a flashlight, be nice to everyone else and use a red light in it or a red filter. Much less likely to suprise or damage night vision.

But man, that sucked. Had something happen similar happen to a friend of mine. Won a radio contest to get a photo pass to a concert. Well, seemed to change every five minutes. In the end he was disallowed to bring in his SLR or Rangefinder. Instead he was allowed to shot a "free" Fuji A30 digital point and shoot in absolutly terrible lighting. Then the band rep removed any shot that clearly showed members of the band. THe band was "A Perfect Circle"