Noob help with lighting?

[jetta-the-hut]

I'm going to see Five Finger Death Punch in a few weeks and want to practice low lighting pictures. What iso level and shutter speed should I be trying out?

It at the House of Blues in Mrytle Beach also, will they even let me in with a camera?

I have a canon S5is on the way as we speak, just bought it.

I know the A640 was a pain in the arss in low light concerts.

[Jim G]

The S5 you may well get into a gig even if they say no cameras, around here at least they're mainly on the lookout for SLRs.

Here's just one way of approaching it: No flash, you'll kill the ambient... unless you have to. Try to keep the shutter speed above around 1/50 or so at the least or else you'll start to get performer blur unless they're standing quite still or your timing is good. Set the aperture as wide as you can and the ISO as low as you can get away with to achieve that shutter speed.

[jetta-the-hut]

cool thanks for the help, Should I try and hide it or just walk in like a member of the press.

I bought vip tickets so we get to enter early and actually have seats no stand up the whole time in the back.

[bacchanal]

You generally can't walk in like a member of the press unless you have a photo pass/credentials...whatever you want to call it. There will be plenty of other folks trying to get cameras in and most of then won't be press.

Your options are:
1. Try to obtain a press pass
2. Hope the venue/performer has a lax photo policy
3. Attempt to sneak the camera in
4. Leave the camera home and enjoy the show

As for using the S5 in concert...I don't really know. But if it were me I would try to use my highest usable ISO (maybe ISO400, maybe 800). I would probably use AV mode set to the lowest available aperture value (with some -EC if the subject is against a black background). Also, keep in mind if you zoom in your maximum aperture gets smaller (f/number gets bigger). This effectively gives you a slower shutter speed. So if the light is really low, you may want to stick to shooting at the wide end.

[skifurthur]

I've heard that the HOB chain is pretty tough when it comes to credentials and access. Even when a band allows taping from a soundboard feed, HOB has a rider on the bands contract not allowing those recording to be distributed. With press photography I have heard of forced signings of very restrictive releases even when approved by the band's management.

Point and shoot cameras are everywhere these days and while they might look the other way, they might also revoke your ticket. Be very careful if you aren't credentialed.