Best Pocket Camera for Gigs?

magwai · 1st of April 2012 (Sun)

I own a 5d2 with some L lenses but when I go to concerts there are normally restrictions on taking bulky/pro camera gear inside.

So I normally take my p&s Panny lumix with a 10x zoom. It has given me some decent shots but only really when I have been lucky enough to have great seats so I am close to the band.

Any suggestions on the best pocket camera with a really long zoom and great low light IQ?

Would prefer Canon but since it won't fit my lenses it is not essential.

RichSoansPhotos · 1st of April 2012 (Sun)

Get a photo pass camera....

ImCBParker · 1st of April 2012 (Sun)

There are a few micro 4/3s out there that are fairly portable and offer decent high aperture lenses. Only issue is they will not have a great zoom on them, so you better be close.

Norkusa · 2nd of April 2012 (Mon)

I shot these a few weeks ago with a S95. I liked how they turned out but I wish the zoom was a little longer:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1161882

A friend was at the same show with a G11. Was about the same distance from the stage as me but he got much better shots. I say get a G12 or G1X.

RichSoansPhotos · 2nd of April 2012 (Mon)

Only joking, magwai

CosmoKid · 3rd of April 2012 (Tue)

You wont get a pocket cam that has good reach an a fast lens. Just like with SLRs, the longer and faster the lens, the bigger and heavier it will be.

With that said, there are a few cameras that fit the bill as long as you are not that far away.

Canon s95/s100
Canon G12/G1x
Panasonic Lx5

All of these have pretty fast lenses. The G series is a little slower but has a slightly longer zoom.

brokensocial · 7th of April 2012 (Sat)

I'd go with a Fujifilm X100. It looks like a point and shoot but it's so much more.

Norkusa · 7th of April 2012 (Sat)

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokensocial

I'd go with a Fujifilm X100. It looks like a point and shoot but it's so much more.

With a fixed 23mm lens? Unless he plans on being in the front row for every show, then the X100 wouldn't be that useful. The Fuji X10 would probably make more sense.

brokensocial · 7th of April 2012 (Sat)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norkusa

With a fixed 23mm lens? Unless he plans on being in the front row for every show, then the X100 wouldn't be that useful. The Fuji X10 would probably make more sense.

Yup, it does depend on where you're located.

magwai · 11th of April 2012 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 400dabuser

Only joking, magwai

I wish I could

magwai · 11th of April 2012 (Wed)

I am talking about big commercial gigs, not bands in pubs. Anything with less than 10x zoom is not worth getting out of your pocket.

There seem to be some people on the board who feel that a fast prime answers all questions

AngryCorgi · 11th of April 2012 (Wed)

It really depends on what you deem a "pocket" camera.

CosmoKid · 11th of April 2012 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by magwai

I am talking about big commercial gigs, not bands in pubs. Anything with less than 10x zoom is not worth getting out of your pocket.

There seem to be some people on the board who feel that a fast prime answers all questions

My G12 at Springsteen did okay. Izod Center. Not on the floor but 20 rows off the floor. Nothing publishable.

Both Cropped

Nismode · 11th of April 2012 (Wed)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norkusa

With a fixed 23mm lens? Unless he plans on being in the front row for every show, then the X100 wouldn't be that useful. The Fuji X10 would probably make more sense.

+1 I love my X10.

magwai · 16th of April 2012 (Mon)

Nice shots CosmoKid!

1st of April 2012 (Sun)	#1
magwai Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 811	Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? I own a 5d2 with some L lenses but when I go to concerts there are normally restrictions on taking bulky/pro camera gear inside. So I normally take my p&s Panny lumix with a 10x zoom. It has given me some decent shots but only really when I have been lucky enough to have great seats so I am close to the band. Any suggestions on the best pocket camera with a really long zoom and great low light IQ? Would prefer Canon but since it won't fit my lenses it is not essential.

1st of April 2012 (Sun)	#2
RichSoansPhotos Goldmember Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 4,931	Re: Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? Get a photo pass camera.... __________________ Bodies: Canon 50D, Canon 5DMKII Lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 85mm 1.8 USM, Canon 16-35mm 2.8L USM II Canon 24-70mm 2.8L USM, Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM II Compact: Canon G12

1st of April 2012 (Sun)	#3
ImCBParker Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 875	Re: Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? There are a few micro 4/3s out there that are fairly portable and offer decent high aperture lenses. Only issue is they will not have a great zoom on them, so you better be close. __________________ Canon 5DIII, 7D, 40D, 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f2.8L IS, 50L, 85 f1.8, 100L, 135L, 1.4 Extender, Tokina 11-16 f2.8, 16-28 f2.8, 100 2.8 macro, and too many lights and accessories to list.

2nd of April 2012 (Mon)	#4
Norkusa Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 427 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? I shot these a few weeks ago with a S95. I liked how they turned out but I wish the zoom was a little longer: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1161882 A friend was at the same show with a G11. Was about the same distance from the stage as me but he got much better shots. I say get a G12 or G1X. __________________ 5D Mk III • 600EX-RT x 2 24-70L •70-200L IS II • 100L • 35L EF 15mm Fisheye

2nd of April 2012 (Mon)	#5
RichSoansPhotos Goldmember Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 4,931	Re: Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? Only joking, magwai __________________ Bodies: Canon 50D, Canon 5DMKII Lenses: Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 85mm 1.8 USM, Canon 16-35mm 2.8L USM II Canon 24-70mm 2.8L USM, Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS USM II Compact: Canon G12

3rd of April 2012 (Tue)	#6
CosmoKid Goldmember Join Date: May 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 4,221 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? You wont get a pocket cam that has good reach an a fast lens. Just like with SLRs, the longer and faster the lens, the bigger and heavier it will be. With that said, there are a few cameras that fit the bill as long as you are not that far away. Canon s95/s100 Canon G12/G1x Panasonic Lx5 All of these have pretty fast lenses. The G series is a little slower but has a slightly longer zoom. __________________ Joe- 2 bodies, L 2.8 zoom trilogy and a couple of primes iRocktheShot.com - Portfolio Gear/Feedback Facebook "Fan" Page -

7th of April 2012 (Sat)	#7
brokensocial Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 480 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? I'd go with a Fujifilm X100. It looks like a point and shoot but it's so much more. __________________ [mike and frida] photography - we shoot stuff. chicago wedding photography \| chicago wedding photography blog

11th of April 2012 (Wed)	#11
magwai Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 811	Re: Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? I am talking about big commercial gigs, not bands in pubs. Anything with less than 10x zoom is not worth getting out of your pocket. There seem to be some people on the board who feel that a fast prime answers all questions

11th of April 2012 (Wed)	#12
AngryCorgi -Bouncing Boy- a POTN peion Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Surrounded by bunnies, squirrels and a couple of crazy corgis in NoVA... Posts: 11,531 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? It really depends on what you deem a "pocket" camera. __________________ AngryCorgi (aka Tom) ...Tools... ...Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is knowing not to include it in a fruit salad...

16th of April 2012 (Mon)	#15
magwai Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 811	Re: Best Pocket Camera for Gigs? Nice shots CosmoKid!

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