Which camera would you take to a U2 concert?

RangerRay · 10-02-2009

Looking for advice as to which camera you believe I would have a better chance of getting in to a U2 concert. My choices are either a Contax G2 or Fuji GA645Zi. I would be using 800 speed color print film. A few U2 fan web sites I've visited mention of only point and shoots being allowed. Some say that if the lens is removable it will not be allowed. There is also talk of security limiting lens length to 3 inches. Some say that DSLRs are not allowed but that some manage to sneak them in. I prefer to not hide anything and be straight up with all. I tried calling the stadium in order to obtain a press pass, but the stadium advised me to contact Live Nation, who is running the concert tour, for all press passes. So far I've had no luck reaching Live Nation staff. I took a disposable 800 speed camera to one of their shows back in 2001, but was only able to get 1 decent shot.
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Ray

charjohncarter · 10-02-2009

Nikonos......................

Al Kaplan · 10-02-2009

Enjoy the concert and leave the camera at home this time around. Check and find out what publications there are around town where you live. Staff photographers are pretty much a thing of the past, even on large dailies. Go talk with the editors. Show them your work.

You might end up shooting some gigs you don't want in order to get the ones you do, but when a publication wants press passes they usually get them. You might end up with a backstage pass, getting invited to the after concert party...it does happen.

35mmdelux · 10-02-2009

cell phone cameras rock!

ZeissFan · 10-02-2009

Here's what I've done. I've put the camera body under my shirt and around the back, so there was no bulge in the front.

Then I put a short telephoto into a sack and taped it to my ankle.

Yeah, sounds dumb, but it worked.

I'm going to a concert in two weeks, but I'll be close to the stage, so I'm going to bring a Contax T VS. Or I might bring my Contax IIa and a 50 and 135 taped to my ankles.

Chyn · 10-02-2009

Back in 2005, the security people allowed me to bring my Canon Powershot G2 (looks like a large film point and shoot) and I ended up with quite a few keepers despite pouring rain. If you get close enough to the stage, you ought to have enough lighting and can get away with shooting at iso400.

Not sure if they've changed the rules, but as long as you get close to the main stage, a point and shoot with flash can work pretty well, too.

wgerrard · 10-02-2009

Well, first of all, I'd take a camera I could afford to lose.

There's a U2 concert near here soon. If was going, I'd take my Ricoh GX200, which is not a p&s but looks like one. I would't want to deal with the hassle of trying to sneak a DSLR in.

Al's right. Just go and enjoy the show. The world is awash in concert photos. Your chances of getting a unique pic of Bono are essentially nil.

RangerRay · 10-02-2009

Al, You've given me good advice. I'll try local editors. If I can get an appointment, I'll get there a few minutes early, show them my best photojournalistic style work, be respectful and try to make a good impression. Who knows, I might just get my shot - even if it's for future events.

ZeissFan - too risky for me - I think I'll have a "Midnight Express" moment during the security check and my sweat and pounding heart will give me away.

wgerrard & Chyn- I've tried the disposable route before. Wanted to try with better equipment. My only digital is a Nikon D50. I think I'd be better off using film, but maybe I can borrow a good digital p&s.

35mmdelux - I tried my cellphone camera during their Vertigo tour - not even 1 decent shot - I'm better off with a high speed disposable.

Nikonos - I think they would definitely take away, but built like a tank so I'd probably recover it in the same condition - too bad I don't have one.

vidgamer · 10-02-2009

Light is way too low for a cellphone camera. A regular digital might do, as long as you're not looking for something to publish or blow up large. ISO 400 might not be enough, and ISO 800 is pretty bad on a lot of small-sensored digital cameras. If the rule is fixed lens, why not use a cheap rangefinder? I paid about $12 (plus shipping) for this Petri 7s and its f1.7 lens; I keep thinking that there's got to be a good use for that lens for something.

digitalintrigue · 10-02-2009

I once took an M4-2 and a 90 Tele Elmarit to a U2 concert, 1985. I wore some long socks and stuffed the lens in one, and the body in the other. I ran out of film about 3/4 of the way through the concert and bummed a couple of rolls off one of the tour photogs who was shooting near the stage. Stage spot lighting is usually plenty bright.

dimitris · 10-02-2009

Canon Ixus would be the most expensive camera I would bring. If you miss your rangefinder I would suggest a Kodak Instamatic so you remember back in the days...

Keith · 10-02-2009

One that was bono fide with a lens that I new would give my shots the edge I was looking for!

Al Kaplan · 10-02-2009

There's always the possibility that you could B.S. your way past security, not even have an admission ticket with you. "Oh WOW! You're kidding! My editor told me that I could pick up my press credentials when I got here!"

RangerRay · 10-03-2009

If you haven't seen the 360 stage, go to U2 dot com's main page, and keep hitting refresh on your browser to see a different picture. You don't even have to enter the site. They have 9 awesome 1024 X 768 shots from their present world tour.

RangerRay · 10-04-2009

I'm leaning towards the 645Zi with Fuji 800Z film. It could be considered a point & shoot, has a non-removable lens, and the lens is less than an inch when the camera is in the off position. Maybe a small piece of electrical tape carefully cut so that the edges are rounded, placed over the top of the camera where it says "professional" might help.

oldoc · 10-04-2009

I agree with Al...one paranoid roadie and your out a decent camera.
But the tour book, and avoid the cloak-and-dagger.
It's just not worth the pain in the a..

Chris101 · 10-04-2009

Or you could just skip it, scalp the tickets for twice what you paid, and go see a group whose singer is not all full of himself, who aren't corporate sellouts, whose music doesn't stink, and who will let you take their picture.

Imho that is.

eavis · 10-05-2009

A Leica-M will probably be allowed. I'd take some Tri-X and push it to 1600. I think you'd get away with a 90mm. Just make sure you drive -- and don't take public transport -- in case you have to take something they disallow back to the car.

I was just at the Giants' Stadium gig and took a CLE with a Nokton 40mm, loaded with TriX @ 400. I was way up, and only got one I was kinda happy with:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eavis/3976043788/

Merkin · 10-05-2009

I have a rather blasphemous suggestion. Consider getting a Diana camera. They make 35mm sprocket hole photography adapters, and a 110mm lens. They are kitschy looking and made of plastic, so no one is ever going to stop you going in with one. You can load it with 800 or 1600 iso film, which should give a decent exposure of the stage. the downside is that it would set you back an extortionary hundred bucks or so for the camera, the 35mm adapter, and the telephoto lens. You could do it without the 35mm adapter, but 110m is a good bit longer on 35mm than 120, and you wouldn't have to change rolls as often.

Pherdinand · 10-05-2009

None.

Well,if u wanna real hard to do it, u should take a point and shoot mega giga a$$ zoom.
Musicians will have lots of spotlights on them allowing for long lenses to be shot at short shutter times.

But why whould you do that, and worry about camera and shots when you are going to enjoy the music.

A small concert in a small room/pub stage/etc is different, as long as photography is allowed you can bring a very high performance low profile rangefinder or similar film camera.

RangerRay · 10-05-2009

"u should take a point and shoot mega giga a$$ zoom".

This will likely be the best solution - thanks all.

I'll be sure to post any decent shot I get.

Cool shot eavis.

dee · 10-07-2009

Hmm ... and what about at the opera .... ?

katgut@earthlink.net · 10-07-2009

Hi,
As a musician and official photographer at concerts, and with a spouse that works in an arts organization, I'd urge snap-happy people to consider the point of view of the artist and venue. People seem to think it a right to take photos at concerts, but it's just stealing the image of the performing artist. When I shoot an event, I'm given strict guidelines about when and from where to shoot, and what can be done with the photos. As a performing musician myself, I don't want people snapping during the concert. And I don't want them stealing my music if it's for sale. When one person has a camera or cell phone, everyone thinks they now have the right. Then it leads to audio recorders, video, and bootlegging. It's become a culture of entitlement--just ask any photographer trying to make a living and they'll tell you stories of how everyone wants-demands--something for free.

I say leave the camera at home and enjoy the concert.

MCTuomey · 10-07-2009

what camera to bring to a U2 concert?

wouldn't that have to be an M2 ...

RangerRay · 10-07-2009

I would imagine that cameras would be strictly prohibited at operas, unless you have a pass to shoot the show.

Katgut, I've read a little bit about concert photography since first posting this thread. Those with passes are limited to shooting the first 3 songs of a show 99 percent of the times. If I had a pass I'd make
I'd make sure to talk to the tour manager to see where the band would prefer me to shoot from. Its all about respecting others wishes. At a U2 show, the whole crowd has a camera. The band even encourages photos and videos to be taken and posted to their website. My goal is to get one decent, wide-angle shot from far where you can see the crowd, the atmosphere, and the energy of the show.

The more I read about concert photography, the more I want to get into it the right way. Respecting the band's wishes and abiding by their rules and the rules of the venue. I'm not thinking of stealing or taking anything by photographing a show as long as it is planned with the proper consent beforehand. I think the pictures are bound to come out better this way.