concerts+digital cameras

[artfuldodger]

Hi Spike,

I guess, I don't understand digital photography quite well. Most people only look at pixels, etc. when buying a digital camera. To me, the sensitivity of the lens is very important as well as the pixels. Is it? When I want 2 shoot during a concert, shouldn't I be shooting with a very sensitive lens like f. 2.0, or f 2.4 of f. 3.0 while zooming? But is that enough? Is there enough light then with this digit? Is the iso-comparison important?

Ciao, Ina

I think iso 800 will usually be OK. But not if the musicians are running around the stage, jumping up and down.... unless you want motion blur, which is not a bad thing. It all depends - how close will you be to the stage? How well lit is your subject - are the house lights dim or are they bright spot lights? Do you expect crystal clear detail, or is some amount of noise acceptable?

Spike

[Sebastian]

Hi Spike,

I guess, I don't understand digital photography quite well. Most people only look at pixels, etc. when buying a digital camera. To me, the sensitivity of the lens is very important as well as the pixels. Is it? When I want 2 shoot during a concert, shouldn't I be shooting with a very sensitive lens like f. 2.0, or f 2.4 of f. 3.0 while zooming? But is that enough? Is there enough light then with this digit? Is the iso-comparison important?

Ciao, Ina

Ina,

You're asking a question that is impossible to answer. ISO sensitivity on digitals is similar to film. But no one will be able to tell you what ISO/lens speed numbers are "right." The answer will always depend on the amount of light, and there is simply no way to say one setting is right for every location. Nor is there a minimum recommendation, there simply can't be due to the many variables. The only thing one can tell you is to get the fastest lens possible, with the fastest ISO equivalency possible, that way you're prepared for darker venues while still being able to turn down ISO or stop down a lens if there is more than adequate light.

[artfuldodger]

Ok, I understand. I'm used to making pictures with my Canon eos30 and different lenses, but during a concert with a lot of people people (2000 and/or more), i'm usually not allowed to take my camera in, so i take in a small compact with a 35 mm/f.3.5 lens. With 1600 asa the pictures are pretty ok. But there's no zoom. So I thought, what to do? Buy a new small compact with a bit of zoom and a sensitive lens, or buy a small digital with a sensitive lens? What do you recommend?
I only don't understand the digital technique. The zoomlenses are usually much smaller than a SLR/normal compact... When I see a lot of digital cameras with 400 asa, i think this is not enough because with my compact of 35mm/f.3.5 it wouldn't have been enough, only 1600 asa would be enough. You understand? So what 2 buy? What to think of?
What is important?

Thanks in advance?

Ina,

You're asking a question that is impossible to answer. ISO sensitivity on digitals is similar to film. But no one will be able to tell you what ISO/lens speed numbers are "right." The answer will always depend on the amount of light, and there is simply no way to say one setting is right for every location. Nor is there a minimum recommendation, there simply can't be due to the many variables. The only thing one can tell you is to get the fastest lens possible, with the fastest ISO equivalency possible, that way you're prepared for darker venues while still being able to turn down ISO or stop down a lens if there is more than adequate light.

[Photo-John]

Fast lenses are good. And since depth-of-field is greater with small digital camera sensors, they're actually very good with digital cameras, if depth-of-field is desirable. So I think investing in a camera with a fast lens is a good idea, if you want to do concert photography.