Need best aperture/setting for concert...?

Question

I'm going to a theatre concert tonight, and I just wanted to know what settings I should have. I figure just AE lock and 800 speed film...but tell me if you've got anything better for me.

Answer 1

as wide an aperture as possible is probably best. Mostly, stage lighting is really poor. 800 speed film is good. When you say AE lock... you are going to set an exposure before hand?? I would advise bringing a light meter. anyway, take a fast and long lens, in case you are in the cheap seats. sorry if I rambling... f/1.4 is great f/2.8 is fine f/4 is OK f/5.6 is marginal f/6.1 is too slow.

Answer 2

Just so you know depending on the concert a lot of places do not allow cameras and can be confiscated....

First you will be shooting under low light conditions and a stage that will have spot lights and colored gels. You should be able to shoot this using 400asa color print film, you can also use 800asa film if you want (the exposure latitude is greater than working with slide film). I would put the camera on "M" (manual) for best control of your images. You will also have to somewhat meter your exposure which you will want to try and get to "0" or what ever it is on the cameras meter.

You never mentioned the type of lenses you have and how fast they are. But I would use them at the largest aperture you have (f~1.7, 2.8, 3.5 etc) this will allow more light and you can work with a faster shutter speed. (You might be able to use flash but as I stated if you sneak the camera in they may take it). If you can use the flash set your shutter at a lower speed like 1/15th this will allow the camera to stay open a little longer to let in some of the ambient light (if you use your flash at a higher shutter speed you just get a plain picture of a guy standing on stage and no colored lights etc unless that is what you want). You need to practice hand holding the camera at low shutter speeds with out shaking to much. Pull your arms in as close to the body as you can with your left hand under lens and camera as support and push your elbow into your stomach this will serve as a "mono pod". Watch your breathing and press the shutter smoothly.

You can also lean your camera on a railing or back of a chair if this will allow you to shoot and see the stage.

Hope this helps,
Kevin

Answer 3

First, are you sure cameras are allowed? If they aren't and they catch you they will confiscate your camera. You may never see it again. Bye bye camera.

Second, Try Aperture Preferred. Watch the shutter speed to keep it at at least the reciprocal of the focal length of your lens. If you're using a 200mm lens, your shutter speed should be 1/250 minimum. If you are really steady you might get by at 1/125.

Good luck