Concert tips

[Dennis_H]

I'm going to a music festival this weekend and am looking for some tips. Last year I got OK shots with my Olympus C3000 from the front row, but this year I am all the way back in row 6 or so... I also now have a 300D with the 18-55 kit lens, 28-105 3.5, 100-300 4.5, and a 50 1.8. I'll be using a monopod and will shoot in raw. I'm guessing I can leave the 100-300 home. The show will be 10 bands over the weekend and most of the time fans are seated. It's all indoors also. Shouls I try to stick with the 50 for speed and crop for tighter pics, or go ahead and use the 28-105? With a 300D, can I get away with ISO1600, or 800 without too much noise? Let me hear your tips...

Dennis_H
Bedford

[LoungeLizard]

You will definitely get noise at 800 and 1600. Here's one example at 1600 (after Noiseware) and shot with the 75-300 IS



Full size can be seen at http://loungelizard.smugmug.com/photos/18299368-O.jpg so that you see what you'll be up against. I probably could do a better job with Noiseware, but that would involve reading the help!

I probably wouldn't print this particular photo any larger than 4x6 - maybe 5x7.

[cmalana]

All just depends on the lighting they use and when you take it. I like to bring a zoom because some of the best shots are fairly close up so you can see facial expressions. If it's not a lot of trouble, I'd bring the 100-300 also (sometimes that drummer is just a little bit too far away).

I have shot at 1600 and find it ok. Sometimes, the grainy feel isn't too bad (especially in black and white). I've even shot at 3200 with decent results (but definitely REALLY grainy...but better than nothing and not bad at 4x6 sizes).

For me though, I find that I have the most keepers from the 50/1.8! Just be carefuly on selecting your focus point since DOF will be pretty shallow near wide open.

[Jake]

I dont know much about shooting concerts, but here in one shot from the crowd at 200mm @ ISO 1600 with the 300d and croped a little. At 6 rows back I dont think 50mm is long enough, but it is fast so....I dont know.

ISO 1600 with Helicon noise filter


Here is the Full Size

[Dennis_H]

Thanks for the tips. I'll go ahead and bring all the lenses and see what i need. I'll shoot in RAW to give me a little more lattitude. Would it be better to shoot underexposed at 800 and bump it up a little post processing, or 1600 proper exposure? I've shot some at 1600 of my daughters gymnastics and it wasn't very good. I used picture cooler and it helped, but are some of the other noise processors better? I actually got pretty decent shots last year with my C3000 and I think it only goes to ISO 400 and JPG. I should have better luck this year if there are no heads bouncing in front of me.

[cmalana]

For me, i'd shoot at 1600. I know it looks grainy but it depends no how big you are going to blow it up. At 4x6, you'll be surprised how less grainy it looks on print (the monitor is able to show more contrast....so when you print, the noise goes away).