Concert shots

As a kid I loved shooting photos at concerts. I used a Kodak Retina 2A.
And later graduated to a Canon AE-1P. When my Wife, who also likes
photography, wanted a digital camera we looked at several models. We
ultimately ended up with a Sony F828. Its a very nice camera. The shots
we take during the day time and on cloudy days come out super. I like
imaging coins and have had some sucess with it also in macro
photography. What has not been as pleasurable is the shots at concerts.
I have tried the auto mode which really did not work well, the manual
mode with a high shutter speed to freeze the image but this comes out
way dark, and finally I moved to shutter priority mode and did get the
image quality I wanted. The images looked great on the LCD of the
camera. But during post processing (I figured out RAW is the most
flexable format) they started off with a white haze to them like a type
of noise. I can work the image but the noise remains to a lesser
degree. Has anyone experienced this? I am looking for advice I know
this camera should be able to shoot these shots of maybe I am in need
of a different camera for concert photos.

Dan

meos1 wrote:
As a kid I loved shooting photos at concerts. I used a Kodak Retina 2A.
And later graduated to a Canon AE-1P. When my Wife, who also likes
photography, wanted a digital camera we looked at several models. We
ultimately ended up with a Sony F828. Its a very nice camera. The shots
we take during the day time and on cloudy days come out super. I like
imaging coins and have had some sucess with it also in macro
photography. What has not been as pleasurable is the shots at concerts.
I have tried the auto mode which really did not work well, the manual
mode with a high shutter speed to freeze the image but this comes out
way dark, and finally I moved to shutter priority mode and did get the
image quality I wanted. The images looked great on the LCD of the
camera. But during post processing (I figured out RAW is the most
flexable format) they started off with a white haze to them like a type
of noise. I can work the image but the noise remains to a lesser
degree. Has anyone experienced this? I am looking for advice I know
this camera should be able to shoot these shots of maybe I am in need
of a different camera for concert photos.

Dan

I have a F828 and a 20D, I would take the 20D to the concert. Having
said if you are using the Sony make sure you have the aperture wide
open, I would shoot in manual mode. Set the ISO at 200, try very hard
not to go any higher then that, if you can get good photos at ISO 100
much better.

Scott

Any idea on what the policy is on flash or other photography these days at
Madison Square Garden or other venues? As I recall they never allowed
photography at concerts, but these days with all the camera phones I don't
see how they could stop people.

Eric B.

"Scott W" wrote in message
oups.com...
meos1 wrote:
As a kid I loved shooting photos at concerts. I used a Kodak Retina 2A.
And later graduated to a Canon AE-1P. When my Wife, who also likes
photography, wanted a digital camera we looked at several models. We
ultimately ended up with a Sony F828. Its a very nice camera. The shots
we take during the day time and on cloudy days come out super. I like
imaging coins and have had some sucess with it also in macro
photography. What has not been as pleasurable is the shots at concerts.
I have tried the auto mode which really did not work well, the manual
mode with a high shutter speed to freeze the image but this comes out
way dark, and finally I moved to shutter priority mode and did get the
image quality I wanted. The images looked great on the LCD of the
camera. But during post processing (I figured out RAW is the most
flexable format) they started off with a white haze to them like a type
of noise. I can work the image but the noise remains to a lesser
degree. Has anyone experienced this? I am looking for advice I know
this camera should be able to shoot these shots of maybe I am in need
of a different camera for concert photos.

Dan

I have a F828 and a 20D, I would take the 20D to the concert. Having
said if you are using the Sony make sure you have the aperture wide
open, I would shoot in manual mode. Set the ISO at 200, try very hard
not to go any higher then that, if you can get good photos at ISO 100
much better.

Scott

Eric B. wrote:
Any idea on what the policy is on flash or other photography these days at
Madison Square Garden or other venues? As I recall they never allowed
photography at concerts, but these days with all the camera phones I don't
see how they could stop people.

Eric B.

"Scott W" wrote in message
oups.com...

meos1 wrote:

As a kid I loved shooting photos at concerts. I used a Kodak Retina 2A.
And later graduated to a Canon AE-1P. When my Wife, who also likes
photography, wanted a digital camera we looked at several models. We
ultimately ended up with a Sony F828. Its a very nice camera. The shots
we take during the day time and on cloudy days come out super. I like
imaging coins and have had some sucess with it also in macro
photography. What has not been as pleasurable is the shots at concerts.
I have tried the auto mode which really did not work well, the manual
mode with a high shutter speed to freeze the image but this comes out
way dark, and finally I moved to shutter priority mode and did get the
image quality I wanted. The images looked great on the LCD of the
camera. But during post processing (I figured out RAW is the most
flexable format) they started off with a white haze to them like a type
of noise. I can work the image but the noise remains to a lesser
degree. Has anyone experienced this? I am looking for advice I know
this camera should be able to shoot these shots of maybe I am in need
of a different camera for concert photos.

Dan

I have a F828 and a 20D, I would take the 20D to the concert. Having
said if you are using the Sony make sure you have the aperture wide
open, I would shoot in manual mode. Set the ISO at 200, try very hard
not to go any higher then that, if you can get good photos at ISO 100
much better.

Scott




Don't know about MSG, but my tix to Queen at MCI Center, Washington DC
clearly state NO Cameras, NO Video, No Recording...I know I was bummed...

meos1 wrote:

As a kid I loved shooting photos at concerts. I used a Kodak Retina 2A.
And later graduated to a Canon AE-1P. When my Wife, who also likes
photography, wanted a digital camera we looked at several models. We
ultimately ended up with a Sony F828. Its a very nice camera. The shots
we take during the day time and on cloudy days come out super. I like
imaging coins and have had some sucess with it also in macro
photography. What has not been as pleasurable is the shots at concerts.
I have tried the auto mode which really did not work well, the manual
mode with a high shutter speed to freeze the image but this comes out
way dark, and finally I moved to shutter priority mode and did get the
image quality I wanted. The images looked great on the LCD of the
camera. But during post processing (I figured out RAW is the most
flexable format) they started off with a white haze to them like a type
of noise. I can work the image but the noise remains to a lesser
degree. Has anyone experienced this? I am looking for advice I know
this camera should be able to shoot these shots of maybe I am in need
of a different camera for concert photos.

Dan

In low light situations there are only a limited number of things you
can do to collect enough photons to get a decent picture.
1.) Use widest aperture available.
(Lets in more light at the expense of reduced Depth of field).
2.) Use Highest ISO rating available.
(Increases the amplifier gain in the camera's A/D converter at the
expense of increased noise in the image)
3.) Increase exposure time.
(Lets in more light at the expense of image blur caused by movement of
the subject or the photographer). A decent tripod can reduce this effect.

You will just have to play around with these adjustable parameters to
see which combination works best for your particular photo op.
The optimum parameters will vary, depending on the existing lighting
conditions and the nature of the image you are trying to capture.
Bob Williams

On 2006-01-02 14:28:04 -0500, "Eric B." said:

Any idea on what the policy is on flash or other photography these days
at Madison Square Garden or other venues? As I recall they never
allowed photography at concerts, but these days with all the camera
phones I don't see how they could stop people.


Nearly all, if not all, performance right contracts prohibit
unauthorized photography by anyone not explicity granted permission by
the rights holder. There may be an exception for official promotion,
but even that is likely to be supplied by the rights holder. This, by
the way, applies to little Suzie's school play as well if it is a
licensed script. Obviously, that is rarely enforced, but it has been
enforced at the community theater level and it certainly is on the
profressional level. In our 100 seat theater, per terms of the all
licensing and performance contracts, we have to state and enforce the
no photography terms of the contract at all performances Road acts,
whether music or theater also have terms in their contracts.

I can safely assume that any performance in the MSG venue's are covered
under one or more contracts limiting or prohibiting photography and
recording.



Jim


Eric B.

"Scott W" wrote in message
oups.com...
meos1 wrote:
As a kid I loved shooting photos at concerts. I used a Kodak Retina 2A.
And later graduated to a Canon AE-1P. When my Wife, who also likes
photography, wanted a digital camera we looked at several models. We
ultimately ended up with a Sony F828. Its a very nice camera. The shots
we take during the day time and on cloudy days come out super. I like
imaging coins and have had some sucess with it also in macro
photography. What has not been as pleasurable is the shots at concerts.
I have tried the auto mode which really did not work well, the manual
mode with a high shutter speed to freeze the image but this comes out
way dark, and finally I moved to shutter priority mode and did get the
image quality I wanted. The images looked great on the LCD of the
camera. But during post processing (I figured out RAW is the most
flexable format) they started off with a white haze to them like a type
of noise. I can work the image but the noise remains to a lesser
degree. Has anyone experienced this? I am looking for advice I know
this camera should be able to shoot these shots of maybe I am in need
of a different camera for concert photos.

Dan

I have a F828 and a 20D, I would take the 20D to the concert. Having
said if you are using the Sony make sure you have the aperture wide
open, I would shoot in manual mode. Set the ISO at 200, try very hard
not to go any higher then that, if you can get good photos at ISO 100
much better.

Scott


--
Jim

Jim wrote in message .. .
On 2006-01-02 14:28:04 -0500, "Eric B." said:

Nearly all, if not all, performance right contracts prohibit unauthorized
photography by anyone not explicity granted permission by the rights
holder. There may be an exception for official promotion, but even that
is likely to be supplied by the rights holder. This, by the way, applies
to little Suzie's school play as well if it is a licensed script.
Obviously, that is rarely enforced, but it has been enforced at the
community theater level and it certainly is on the profressional level.
In our 100 seat theater, per terms of the all licensing and performance
contracts, we have to state and enforce the no photography terms of the
contract at all performances Road acts, whether music or theater also
have terms in their contracts.

I can safely assume that any performance in the MSG venue's are covered
under one or more contracts limiting or prohibiting photography and
recording.

Jaywalking is also against the law. That doesn't mean it is obeyed or
enforced.

I am more curious as to whether in a 50,000 seat arena they will try to
enforce the perhaps 5,000 people with camera phones from taking a
photograph.

Eric B.

Thanks, I suspected the noise came from the ISO 800. I will back it
down next time. I do not like to slow the shutter as this often results
in trails of light. I have tried the manual mode and the camera seemed
sluggish in perfromance compared to the shutter priority mode. Has
anyone noticed the F828 has a noticable delay from the time you press
the button until the shoit is actually taken?

Dan

"meos1" wrote in message
ups.com...
Thanks, I suspected the noise came from the ISO 800. I will back it
down next time. I do not like to slow the shutter as this often results
in trails of light. I have tried the manual mode and the camera seemed
sluggish in perfromance compared to the shutter priority mode. Has
anyone noticed the F828 has a noticable delay from the time you press
the button until the shoit is actually taken?

Dan


Is that delay more noticable in lower light conditions? If so it's most
likely to be down to the camera taking longer to focus. You could try manual
focusing.

Martin

meos1 wrote:

Thanks, I suspected the noise came from the ISO 800. I will back it
down next time. I do not like to slow the shutter as this often results
in trails of light. I have tried the manual mode and the camera seemed
sluggish in perfromance compared to the shutter priority mode. Has
anyone noticed the F828 has a noticable delay from the time you press
the button until the shoit is actually taken?

Dan


If you try to reduce the noise by shooting at ISO 400 or less, you will
of necessity need to use a slower shutter speed. This will increase the
tendency to produce a blurred image. Your observation of "trails of light"
indicates that you are moving the camera during the exposure. Some P/S
Digicams are notorious for a considerable time lag between pressing the
shutter release and actually capturing the image. The problem only
worsens at low light levels. A tripod should help you a lot.
No "trails of light" .....guaranteed.
Bob Williams