Which camera would you take to a U2 concert?

"u should take a point and shoot mega giga a$$ zoom".

This will likely be the best solution - thanks all.

I'll be sure to post any decent shot I get.

Cool shot eavis.
 
Hi,
As a musician and official photographer at concerts, and with a spouse that works in an arts organization, I'd urge snap-happy people to consider the point of view of the artist and venue. People seem to think it a right to take photos at concerts, but it's just stealing the image of the performing artist. When I shoot an event, I'm given strict guidelines about when and from where to shoot, and what can be done with the photos. As a performing musician myself, I don't want people snapping during the concert. And I don't want them stealing my music if it's for sale. When one person has a camera or cell phone, everyone thinks they now have the right. Then it leads to audio recorders, video, and bootlegging. It's become a culture of entitlement--just ask any photographer trying to make a living and they'll tell you stories of how everyone wants-demands--something for free.

I say leave the camera at home and enjoy the concert.
 
I would imagine that cameras would be strictly prohibited at operas, unless you have a pass to shoot the show.

Katgut, I've read a little bit about concert photography since first posting this thread. Those with passes are limited to shooting the first 3 songs of a show 99 percent of the times. If I had a pass I'd make
I'd make sure to talk to the tour manager to see where the band would prefer me to shoot from. Its all about respecting others wishes. At a U2 show, the whole crowd has a camera. The band even encourages photos and videos to be taken and posted to their website. My goal is to get one decent, wide-angle shot from far where you can see the crowd, the atmosphere, and the energy of the show.

The more I read about concert photography, the more I want to get into it the right way. Respecting the band's wishes and abiding by their rules and the rules of the venue. I'm not thinking of stealing or taking anything by photographing a show as long as it is planned with the proper consent beforehand. I think the pictures are bound to come out better this way.
 
U2 has always allowed cameras at concerts as far back as I can remember, and I've been to a bunch of U2 shows. I took the Olympus E-P1 to the 1st Croke Park Dublin show in July. People next to me had a 5D. Basically if it's not a long lens, they did not care. I got some great shots with the E-P1. I was going to bring the M8 to the Giants concert but decided to keep it in the car. I could have easily brought it in, very little camera checks. Besides I just wanted to sit back and watch that show.

http://www.zoeicaimages.com/U2Dublin/

Chris
NOLA
 
Ranger Ray,
You're right--every concert I've shot has been limited to the first three songs. Sometimes you have to meet the tour manager, as I did a few weeks ago for Warren Haynes/Govt Mule. Since U2 encourages cameras, that's great, and based on my night shooting, I wouldn't have anything less than 800 speed. I've had fantastic results with a Mamiya M6 and both Kodak or Fuji. 35mm with Fuji 800, not so great. I've used mostly digital, though.

My comments were meant more for may that complain about being hassled by venue staffers.
Scott
 
I've been to the U2 show in Dublin, back in July. Because I was scared off by warnings on forums I didn't take my DSLR, I only had the GA645 and an old 2mpix Panasonic super-zoom (which crapped on me just before the show, it would just not start most of the time so I only got a few pics with it). The GA645 was too wide from where I was standing (seats, not grass). The panny would have been just great if it worked and if it had more pixels. The show starts when there's still plenty of daylight and indeed the stagelighting allows for decent speeds most of the time, even from a distance, and especially with a stabilized lens. Manged to get one decent, quite grainy BW converted print from the panny, with the entire band. The slides from the Fuji look great, but I don't have a scanner so I can't post. But, as someone else just said, I saw many people with DSLR's, some even with long zooms and nobody told them a thing. There was no security control at entrance AT ALL; I mean, nobody checked the bags, no body check, nothing, we just showed the tickets and went in. So, I regret not having the DSLR with me, but I'll know next time...

Now I suppose that if you show up with some behemoth telephoto someone will ask you to put it away, but otherwise it seemed to me that one could get away with SLR and long zooms no problem. Of course, that's just my experience at one show in Dublin, things may work out differently for you... but good luck anyway.
 
If the U2 concert where your going is anything like the one last weekend here in N Carolina take a camera with a long telephoto. On I 40 there was a 6 mile backup, no where to park because parking attendents were telling folks it was too early or there is no more spaces so people parked cars along the roadside. Many never made it inside to see the band. They were turned away because of the crowds being so huge, & people were pissed because they spent so much on tickets.
 
U2 Concert Photographed With Pana ZS-1 P&S

U2 Concert Photographed With Pana ZS-1 P&S

Awesome concert. Best sound quality I've heard at a live event. The only camera I took was a Panasonic Lumix ZS-1 (25-300 zoom). Here are some shots from a memorable Friday night in Tampa.
Ray
 

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Just uploaded 3 photos to gallery. I guess above 3 are only visible to those logged in.
 
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