Correct film to use for a concert

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Mikhi

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Hello 🙂

I will receive my canonet QL17 GIII within a few weeks. I'm a total n00b on the entire analog industry. I've looked around on this forum for a while and read a lot about this popular camera.

I'll be going to a concert over a few weeks and I want to take the canonet with me (is it even do-able?). I would love to take some b&w shots with it. But when it comes to choosing the correct film, I seriously wouldn't know.

Since I don't want to risk an entire film flop, I need your advice on this.
I haven't really seen many (close to none?) concert photos that has been shot with the canonet. Does anyone had a concert-experience with the canonet? Any tips?

The concert will be given in medium-sized place (max. 1500 people) and I will try my hardest to stand all the way in the front, so I believe there is enough light (and tons of people will probably use flash on their digi cam anyways).

So yeah, hope you guys can help me out on deciding whether I should take the canonet with me or just be happy with my digital camera.

Thank you! 😀
Mikhi

(p.s. if anyone comes from The Netherlands; does somebody know where I can get the (quality)films for a decent(cheap) price?)
 
Hi and welcome!

I assume you want black and white films?

You should search Flickr to see which of these films' characteristics you like the most.

Neopan 400 or 1600
TriX 400
Delta 400 or 3200

If you want, you can shoot the 400s rated at 800 or even 1600. I recommend shooting the Delta 3200 @ 1600.

If you wanted colour film recommendations, I am at a loss.
 
Problem here: the Canonet has a very limited meter. I believe it won't go beyond ISO 800. Hence, any film faster than that will require metering with a separate meter... which can be awkward in a concert situation.

However, you can do it. Just switch the camera to manual mode and use it as you see fit. With Neopan ISO 1600 you should do well. I personally like the look of Agfa APX 400 pushed two stops (at ISO 1600) instead of the Fuji's, but that's just my preference.

What's the concert? Classical? Rock? Country? Folk? 😕
 
I just re-read your post... and I must add I have NO experience on the matter. Why? Because unless you're doing some audience shots, the Canonet won't be too good, even if you sit on the very first row.

I don't think I'd take a Canonet to a concert... but heck, there has to be a first! 🙂
 
The lens of the Canonet will probably be too wide except for some shots. As for film, any of the fast ones named should give the relatively low contrast you'll want.
 
I just took some shots at a show in a club using TriX 400, shot at 3200 and push-processed accordingly. I developed it myself and it was the first time I'd done any push-processing, but I managed a few good shots. The contrast was quite high, largely because the stage was mostly lit by a few spotlights (although my development technique is also surely to blame). Got some interesting crowd shots -- glowing sea-of-faces effect.

I can post some when I finish scanning. If I were to shoot another show I'd be willing to give TriX another go. It's a very flexible film and can be shot at 800 without needing to push process.
 
Mikhi said:
Hello 🙂

I will receive my canonet QL17 GIII within a few weeks. I'm a total n00b on the entire analog industry. I've looked around on this forum for a while and read a lot about this popular camera.
Click to expand...

It is a very nice camera and I hope you'll come to really enjoy it.

I'll be going to a concert over a few weeks and I want to take the canonet with me (is it even do-able?).
Click to expand...

You may want to check with the venue or the band ahead of time. I do not know the laws where you are. In the USA, some venues allow cameras, some do not. Some artists allow their photos to be taken during concerts and some do not. You'd hate to get there and have to surrender your camera or film to get in, or have to trudge back to your vehicle to lock it up.

I would love to take some b&w shots with it. But when it comes to choosing the correct film, I seriously wouldn't know.
Click to expand...

FAST!!! The faster, the better, in a darkened venue.

Since I don't want to risk an entire film flop, I need your advice on this.
Click to expand...

I see others have already given some good advice on film choices.

I haven't really seen many (close to none?) concert photos that has been shot with the canonet. Does anyone had a concert-experience with the canonet? Any tips?
Click to expand...

It depends on the size of the audience, venue, and where you will be located. With the lens on a Canonet, you'll have to get close.

The concert will be given in medium-sized place (max. 1500 people) and I will try my hardest to stand all the way in the front, so I believe there is enough light (and tons of people will probably use flash on their digi cam anyways).
Click to expand...

Their flash won't help you much - a flash may appear to be viewable for some time, but that's a trick of the light - it usually lasts only a very small fraction of a second. The chances of you taking a photo precisely as someone else's flash goes off are slim (I have had it happen, but still, the chances are small).

So yeah, hope you guys can help me out on deciding whether I should take the canonet with me or just be happy with my digital camera.

Thank you! 😀
Mikhi
Click to expand...

Between the two, unless the digital camera had a nice high-ISO mode, I'd take the Canonet.

(p.s. if anyone comes from The Netherlands; does somebody know where I can get the (quality)films for a decent(cheap) price?)
Click to expand...

Sorry I can't help you there.
 
Oh wow, thank you all so much for responding to my questions, I really appreciate it! And thank you for the ones who welcome'd me 🙂

The concert is of the band 'OneRepublic', pop rock. I know that some artist/organisations don't allow cameras, but I am willing to take that risk (as long as I get both of my cameras back haha).

I am definitaly going to check all the recommended films out. I won't be using films that goes beyond the limits of the canonet since I am a newbie to the camera. I'll end up ruining every shot with my amateur skills. Definitaly hope to understand the camera like you guys do someday. Amazing how much passion and knowledge you guys show 🙂

Oh, DelDavis, I'd love to see the photo's you took in the club 😀

The concert will take place on 15 march, so hopefully I'll receive the camera soon so I can play/practise with it first. Once again thank you all! Will look into it!
 
A lot, really a lot depends on stage lights. For a well-lit stage you can get away with fairly slow films. The light tends to be contrasty, so I'd avoid Neopan and pushing if possible. Oldschool stuff like Tri-X or HP5 rated close to their real speeds would preserve highlights better.

In color I liked tungsten-balanced films. At a Kraftwerk concert I shot a roll of Fujichrome RTP64 II, at speeds around 1/5-1/10 - the colors are close to what I remember. The fastest available tungsten film would be probably around 160 ISO - digital might really have an edge here.
 
The Canonet should be able to do even better than my Oly XA since it has that 1.7 lens. Go for it, use Tmax400 @ 800 ISO, or Neopan 1600 @ 800 ISO (yes, it works fine, that Neopan is closer to 1000 than 1600 anyway).

Try the auto mode! Set the shutter at 1/60 (you need 1/60 or 1/125) and give it a try. IIRC, the Canonet refuses to expose if the light is too bad for the time you chose. That can be frustrating, but a second later the light might have changed, you press the shutter again and you have a good pic.

stones_xa1.jpg


One of my XA pics from Gothenburg last summer, the second "club" stage setup, distance to band max 10 m. No great pics, but who in that audience will have ANY pics to show from that concert in 20 years?🙄
Oly XA, Tmax400 @800, full negative, lo-res scan. On the full scan, I can read the setlist on Charlies plexi shield perfectly well.

BTW: practice shooting with camera above your head, aiming slightly downward, and with ONE hand. It´s hard in the beginning, but might prove useful. Also try to get as much "behind the stage" as possible - pics into the audience from band perspective can be great!


Cheers /Richard
 
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