Canon 350D for gigs?

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rIKmAN

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Hi,

Am new here and am looking at getting a Canon 350D upon a bit of research and help / advice from another forum.

However, half of the reason I would be getting this camera would be to take pictures at gigs I go to.
Most are venues such as Manchester Academy, and smaller venues in town like Roadhouse, Life Cafe etc

Now I go to a fair few gigs and I know most people take pictures, but usually on a mobile or small digital camera that fits into their jeans pocket.
I`m just worried that the "look" of a 350D would make me stand out a bit and be an obvious target for the stewards to stop me taking pictures, and leave the rest alone cos I`m the only person with a big lens on me camera!

I was wondering if anyone had any experience of using a 350D or similar size/look camera at gigs, or anything where your not meant to take pictures.

If I`ll blatantly get stopped cos it looks so "professional" it kind of defeats the point of me buying one.

Cheers!
 
Generally venues will take exception to a DSLR unless you have a photo pass. That's the case in Nottingham Rock City anyway, smaller venues there tends to be less of a problem as the bands are smaller.

Have you tried contacting the venues to ask them? Some are really quite amenable.
 
I can't really add to the discussion except to say that perhaps it'll be dependent on what lens you mount on the XT. An XT with a 50 f1.8 is pretty low-key. An XT with a 70-200 f2.8 L is not. That's one of the reasons why I'll continue to keep my 50 f1.8 despite having a better lens. It's there if I ever need to go low key.
 
Venues are all different, so you should ask before going along with a 350D. Someplaces are very strict and won't allow any camera with detatcable lens, but others are more leniant.

It's also dependant on the band/artist performing, sometimes the venue has little or say and it's down to the PRs and officials for said band/artist.

I know for a fact that some artists specifically prohibit photography at their evens. Not that it stops people as it's almost impossible to enforce at big venues :D

With a small lens (like Theo Moore said, a 50mm for example) attatched, the 350D dosen't look too odvious. It's not a particularly lage DSLR.
 
Hi Rikman. Thought of a Canon G9? Little bit more manoeuvrable.
 
Hey BertRoot - internet a small place ;)

No I havent mate as I have been recommended a 350D by everyone over at DF and took that as given as they know a lot more about photography than me.

I shall have a look on Google though...any good links? :)
 
I'm actually thinking of getting a G9 to take to festivals which won't allow me to take my 40D.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong9/

One good thing about the G9 (amonst many of it's awesome features) is that it has a hotshoe on the top so you can use any flashgun with it just like you would on a DSLR.

The G9 is basically a compact DSLR, it has most of the controls that at 350D or any canon DSLR has.
 
The G9 would be a great idea but unfortunately its out of your price range mate, cheapest ive seen it for is £275, and you cant find them 2nd hand.
 
rIKmAN said:
Hi,

Am new here and am looking at getting a Canon 350D upon a bit of research and help / advice from another forum.

However, half of the reason I would be getting this camera would be to take pictures at gigs I go to.
Most are venues such as Manchester Academy, and smaller venues in town like Roadhouse, Life Cafe etc

Now I go to a fair few gigs and I know most people take pictures, but usually on a mobile or small digital camera that fits into their jeans pocket.
I`m just worried that the "look" of a 350D would make me stand out a bit and be an obvious target for the stewards to stop me taking pictures, and leave the rest alone cos I`m the only person with a big lens on me camera!

I was wondering if anyone had any experience of using a 350D or similar size/look camera at gigs, or anything where your not meant to take pictures.

If I`ll blatantly get stopped cos it looks so "professional" it kind of defeats the point of me buying one.

Cheers!
Click to expand...
Just ask the venue. I take pics at gigs quite often and I use a 350D. If you can't get in to the bigger venues, just take your camera to the smaller ones. Just as rewarding as a big place
 
I dread to think what would happen if you bought a ticket and then got refused entry with large camera..were could you leave the camera, we got patted down for two bottles of water at a meatloaf concert once, which wasn't to bad, so they would be unlikely to miss a dslr...I am going to see the zutons in June in Delamere forrest and am really tempted to take a decent camera.
 
@8utters
What is a flashgun? (excuse noobness)

@Dappa
Well if its the difference between me getting to take pictures at a gig and not, then I don`t mind pushing my budget a little for the right deal. I`d kind of decided on a 350D but now I`m unsure again hehe.

@Badger
I usually find asking the venue is the cue for them to say no, not asking and at least they have to catch you. Like I say people take pics with mobiles and digital cameras all over the place, but I think I`d be an easy target and look too professional maybe with a big lens.
I only really go to small gigs also, simply for the reason you mention.
I have some footage from Nizlopi gig where they came down into the bar bit (only about 100 max there) and were stood next to me singing and playin - amazin experience you`d never get at the MEN or O2 Arena.

@paulc
They would usually refuse to keep it safe for you too, just to be total (unts (its happened to me).
I don`t really go to massive gigs, but there are security staff but I got into my last gig with 2 bottles of vodka, one in my back pocket one down my sock.
However, I`m guessing you`d have to take a 350D in a bag cos of the size....not sure it`d even get past the door staff, never mind inside.

Hmmm, what a dilemma!

Gonna go check out the G9, see if I can find some photos etc with it.
Can anyone tell me what the big differences, pros cons would be between a G9 and a 350D setup?
 
rIKmAN said:
@8utters
What is a flashgun? (excuse noobness)

canon_580ex_mark_ii-2_flashgun.jpg


@Dappa
Well if its the difference between me getting to take pictures at a gig and not, then I don`t mind pushing my budget a little for the right deal. I`d kind of decided on a 350D but now I`m unsure again hehe.

There are plenty of cameras out there, but not all of them are up to the job. The 350D would ideally be the best bet, but its hardly discreet. The Sony H3 has 10x optical zoom and is quite small, and very sharp, might be worth looking at.

@Badger
I usually find asking the venue is the cue for them to say no, not asking and at least they have to catch you. Like I say people take pics with mobiles and digital cameras all over the place, but I think I`d be an easy target and look too professional maybe with a big lens.
I only really go to small gigs also, simply for the reason you mention.
I have some footage from Nizlopi gig where they came down into the bar bit (only about 100 max there) and were stood next to me singing and playin - amazin experience you`d never get at the MEN or O2 Arena.

Is it worth getting kicked out of a gig?
And also, you'll probably need a big lens to get the most from it.

@paulc
They would usually refuse to keep it safe for you too, just to be total (unts (its happened to me).
I don`t really go to massive gigs, but there are security staff but I got into my last gig with 2 bottles of vodka, one in my back pocket one down my sock.
However, I`m guessing you`d have to take a 350D in a bag cos of the size....not sure it`d even get past the door staff, never mind inside.

Hmmm, what a dilemma!

Gonna go check out the G9, see if I can find some photos etc with it.
Can anyone tell me what the big differences, pros cons would be between a G9 and a 350D setup?

Basically, the 350D will produce better shots, but the G9 is a lot smaller and more suited to the task of taking good but inconspicuous shots.
Click to expand...

answers in the text :p
 
A nikon D40 would be good because of the size (I saw one for the first time in tescos the other day and cant believe how tiddly it was, I mean tiny), but dont think it would work with a 50mm 1.4 0r 1.8 lens, because of the autofocus thingy.
 
rIKmAN said:
@8utters

@paulc
They would usually refuse to keep it safe for you too, just to be total (its happened to me).
Click to expand...

It is not their responsibilty to look after your equipment which you brought to the venue in contadiction to the conditions of entry.

I have seen the bands/artists personal security just grab cameras and recording equipment from punters and just break it. Then leave the venue to sort the s**t out when it was not even their staff that was involved.
At most venues the standard is not proffesional types of camera or recording equipmentt allowed. This is basically to avoid problems with promoters / artists.
I have been at one venue where they used to allow both cameras and recording kit and when the act turned up that night and found out they justr walked out and cancelled the show. The doors were allready open.

I speak as both a punter and security. I have been going to gigs for about 30 years and working as security, both venue and personal for about 18years.
 
Try contacting the bands mangement. I'm taking my mum to the SECC in may and would love a chance to take some pics in a large venue (particularly as it's a band I don't really like, so instead of getting distracted by the music, I'll actually be able to concentrate on what I'm doing ;)).

I rang the SECC and they said that unless I have a press card (which I can't get yet :bang:) then I can't take a camera in at all, but if I have permission from the bands management then I can take whatever I like.

Obviously there's no guarantee that they'll let you (and most will probably won't) but for all the time it takes to send a quick email it's worth a try. The worst thing that can happen is they say no :shrug:
 
andrewc said:
Dunno if its been mentioned, but gate monkeys look for cameras with removable lenses, so good compacts and bridges get through, but a dSLR may not.
Click to expand...

Thats the same policy which wembley stadium have. I have taken in a d80 and a d40x in with no trouble. If they ask if you can remove the lens just say no and look puzzled! That works a treat. Obviously done take any extra lenses with you though.
 
I took my wife to a Pet Shop Boys concert as a surprise and took the camera. Knowing they may have had problems I took my compact and discreet 28-300 hyperzoom and but had to up the ISO quite a lot to compensate for the f6.3 max aperture. Lugging my alternative 100-300 f4 around would have attracted more attention.
 
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