changing camera. concert photo help

[pregnantcowlady]

i took a whole bunch of concert photos with my old powershot s3 IS and they came out pretty well, using some zoom (front row, but still some).

http://a349.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/66/l_5493e944eee08649a6e0622cc8171c7c.jpg

http://a515.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/85/l_4c71898eebc961a653d8b657557a0412.jpg


do you think since i've upgraded to the 30d with the 50mm prime that they will look relatively the same (with less noise im sure), or do you think i'm doomed without zoom? And does IS help with concert photography? Last, any tips on ISO and other settings?

Thanksss. :]

[shannyD]

your pictures will look a lot better with the 30d and 50mm. you should have a little bit less noise. but if you can get close to the stage you wont be doomed at all.

i crank my iso up to 1600 because the light blows at concerts most of the time.

[pregnantcowlady]

haha. yeah there's no way to get away from the bad lighting.
thanks again. :]]

[Bumgardnern]

I think with your new set up that you will be able to get crisper images with less noise. Use that 50mm at f1.4 or 1.8 and ISO 1600 and you will get some tack sharp photos. Also get close to the stage.

Good luck

[pregnantcowlady]

yeah, i love getting close, so that won't be a problem. i just don't want him (mr. canon) to get hurt

thanks much
:)

[bacchanal]

I started out with the 30D and just a 50 1.4...jumped to that from a Canon S30. Ahhh, the memories...that was about $4-5k ago.:lol:

You may miss the zoom at times, but the 50 1.4 gives you the speed that you need to shoot in low light, and it will force you to look for compositions that you may not have found otherwise. If I only had one lens for concert photography, I'd probably want a 50mm. Of course, cropping is okay too for those times when you just can't get the composition that you want.
The important part initially is to get the exposure down and then learn to cope with and take advantage of the narrow depth of field at f/1.4.

In time, you can think about adding a 28 1.8 (or Sigma 30 1.4) and an 85 1.8, for a very solid yet reasonable budget low light kit.

[narlus]

In time, you can think about adding a 28 1.8 (or Sigma 30 1.4) and an 85 1.8, for a very solid yet reasonable budget low light kit.

i'll echo bacchanal's wise words...my starting kit was an xt w/ 50 f/1.8, to which i gradually added a sigma 30 f/1.4, canon 85 f/1.8, and swapped the canon 50 to the f/1.4 version. fast primes are great, esp if you are just starting out in low-light venues and have no song restrictions.

[thelightofsound]

you can't even compare noise on a dslr and p/s. i shoot with the 20, but just bought a g9 for a point and shoot. even though the g9 is a much newer camera, it's noise at 400 is about the same as my 20d 1600. then add in a couple of stops for your fast glass and you will be sitting pretty.