Cameras at concerts...?

LeeRatters

LeeRatters

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Has anyone 'got away' with getting into a concert with an X100f or equivalent?

I'm specifically referring to the Principality Stadium. Where the rules, as most places, say no professional video or audio equipment.

TBH, I don't really want to take any video or (maybe just a few) photos of the concert anyway, it's more for the day out in Cardiff we'll be having around the concert for me, the missus and my kids. But obviously it'll be with me so would need to be taken inside.

I'm not a great fan of phone photography. My mate took a Canon G7x Mk2 (is that right?) in recently but that is smaller and actually pocketable. Would you risk taking it? Or just make do with phone shots?
 
It's a bit of a lottery. Basically photography isn't typically allowed, but many get away with it. I've taken my EOS-M into a few gigs and have had no issues on entry or whilst taking the odd photo, but I've seen people get told to stop using their phones to photograph/video during concerts. If you can put it in your pocket and are discrete using it, you might be OK but it is a risk.
 
I think you need to look at the specific concert - just saying that as a blanket term means you're going to get lots of different answers.

Some acts are happy to let people take their own images, some it's an absolute no. And often these demands fall outside the venue's official policy.

For example I've taken my 5DIII and a 70-200 L lens into Pub in the Park before and had no issues. Equally, I've been to two similar shows at Wembley arena. I didn't take a camera either time, but once we were just politely asked not to take pictures, and the other time all our phones were taken from us and placed into locked bags. Which were then given back to us. So we kept our own devices, but couldn't use them. Weirdly, there were zones where you could unlock the bag to use your phone for calls or send texts, but these were outside the main arena and the phone had to go back in the bag before being let back in.

Personally, I think many (non-tog) people would look at the X100F and assume it's a less capable/less professional camera than an entry-level DSLR with a detachable lens. But it depends on who you get on the day as to whether or not they look at the camera and think it's OK. Or not.

The biggest question I'd have would be "If I took my camera for the day out, but they didn't let it in to the Principality, what happens then?"

Do they refuse you entry? Is there somewhere (safe) to leave it while you go in? If it's the latter, would you agree to it?
 
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We went to Barcelona a few weeks back and we decided to go to a FC Barcelona game (v Rayo Vallecano).

We went up to Montjuic and the Olympic Stadium a few days before the game to have a look around and while there I asked in the office if it would be ok to bring my EOS M6 MkII with the 24-105 fitted. They looked at it and said no. So I showed them my Panny TZ90 and they said that would be fine.

Considering the Panny would zoom out further than the 105 it seems I was onto a winner really. I took that in on the day but was still too far away for anything decent.

It was more for the experience rather than taking photo's anyway.
 
I took my X100VI to Wembley the other day to watch TS.

Someone did ask someone else on entry if mine was allowed, the main thing is you can't have an interchangeable lens. I got in fine with it. (but 5 years ago I took my X-T1 in there and got in fine too, perhaps not now though)

NBwNmVI.jpg
 
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This comes up here quite often, and there doesn't seem to ba a simple consistent answer.

Couple of months ago my daughter went to see Hozier with Canon film camera and 35-85 lens, not problem, then about a month ago she went to see Dir En Grey and had to leave the same camera in a locker.

What happens if she can't take it in, and they have no lockers? Take the film out, take the lens off and stamp on the camera :) Of course, give them the pieces and video it. My camera, my instruction to her so that she doesn't worry about it.

She does spend quite a time trying to find out the specific policies for each venue/event, but that is hard to do, and it depends on the staff on duty, seems that most of them don't know the difference between an elephant and a camera, so unless they give clear guidance that can not be mis-interpreted, she takes it and takes the chance.
 
I'd try and check beforehand. I've just been to the IOW festival and didn't take my camera the first day. At the entry there is a checklist and cameras were allowed, so I took it after that.

In past years I did risk it but this was using an Olympus body and relatively small lenses. At the time, I think the rules were, no 'professional' cameras. I didn't risk it at all when I went to Wembley recently.

I've just realised you're on your way. Enjoy the gig!
 
Every venue and artist is different , there is no hard and fast rule. I've been to gigs and festivals with a 1Dmk4 and 70-200 L not an issue others where even a phone is frowned upon.
 
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Probably a dozen times at the O2 arena and the Royal Albert Hall I have taken point and shoot 1in sensor size cameras. This size camera have always been perfect for my own memories, plus they slip into my pocket.
If you want more professional images you may have to ask the place you are going to what their rules on cameras are.

Canon g7x any excuse to show this snap from 9 years ago. ELO at the o2
ELO by Skyline:), on Flickr
 
LeeRatters said:
Has anyone 'got away' with getting into a concert with an X100f or equivalent?

I'm specifically referring to the Principality Stadium. Where the rules, as most places, say no professional video or audio equipment.

TBH, I don't really want to take any video or (maybe just a few) photos of the concert anyway, it's more for the day out in Cardiff we'll be having around the concert for me, the missus and my kids. But obviously it'll be with me so would need to be taken inside.

I'm not a great fan of phone photography. My mate took a Canon G7x Mk2 (is that right?) in recently but that is smaller and actually pocketable. Would you risk taking it? Or just make do with phone shots?
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It had nothing to do with what camera you have.

Some people take photos (regardless of what camera they use), and do that for personal reasons, like having a photo in the family album, to remember the good times of going out and attending a concert. That's acceptable.

It is more about what you do with the photographs you took.

Some people take photos, again regardless of camera, and they sell the photos. Then they are in trouble.

At concerts, the rules is usually about what you can or can't do with the photographs you took.

Someone could take great photos on a smartphone and sell them, while someone else could take great photos on a proper camera, with the aim of printing it out and frame it in their living room wall.

Yet, concert staff, specially security guys, often thinks if you have a proper camera, you're a photographer planning to taking photos and selling to newspapers.

Well, that's the way I see it.
 
As some one who used to shoot gigs, I think what Major Easy says above is pretty much right, added to that many acts are making togs sign contracts that limit what can be used, others want to approve any photos that could be used.

Security staff can be very varied in the way they 'police' camera policies at the venues I've been to.
 
Major Eazy said:
It had nothing to do with what camera you have.

Some people take photos (regardless of what camera they use), and do that for personal reasons, like having a photo in the family album, to remember the good times of going out and attending a concert. That's acceptable.

It is more about what you do with the photographs you took.

Some people take photos, again regardless of camera, and they sell the photos. Then they are in trouble.

At concerts, the rules is usually about what you can or can't do with the photographs you took.

Someone could take great photos on a smartphone and sell them, while someone else could take great photos on a proper camera, with the aim of printing it out and frame it in their living room wall.

Yet, concert staff, specially security guys, often thinks if you have a proper camera, you're a photographer planning to taking photos and selling to newspapers.

Well, that's the way I see it.
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Well, apparently it does, because some type of cameras are allowed and others aren't. That's the rules of the stadium not the band or concert staff.
 
I went to the O2 Arena two summers ago for a schools event and the rules at the time specified that you weren't allowed any lenses longer than 35mm.
At the moment, the O2 website suggests that the camera rules change depending on the event.

Last weekend, seeing the Foo Fighters at London Stadium, there were pretty tight on bag sizes (no bigger than A4) and no cameras.
I wouldn't have wanted my camera in the front pit, but if I had been at the back of the stadium, I would have wanted a longer lens to get a half reasonable shot of the band. And I'm only talking about photos for myself, a memory of the event.
 
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