jonnyboy Posted March 9, 2015 Share #1 Posted March 9, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) So... next Saturday I'm going to a gig and I got myself a press pass: long story short a friend of mine know the promoter and he hook me up...I'm just doin it for myself (as I really like the artist) so there is no request and no rules from the promoter. I would love to go down and shoot a couple of rolls, I have with me a Voigtlander 35mm 1.4 and Im planning to actually buy one of those Leica flash...does anyone have any experience or story to share which could help me preparing? I will bring down my M8 too - it just gives me a bit more security to be able to watch a picture while I'm shooting... My main worry would be the focus - I wont be shooting at 1.4 but it wont be a static performance, that's for sure! How powerful are those SF20 unit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 9, 2015 Posted March 9, 2015 Hi jonnyboy, Take a look here Shooting Live Gig with my M4-2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
250swb Posted March 9, 2015 Share #2 Posted March 9, 2015 The SF20? Like a torch in the vastness of the universe. Ideal would be CineStil 800 ISO tungsten film for colour or Ilford Delta 3200 (rated at 1600 ISO) for B&W and forget about flash altogether. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 9, 2015 Share #3 Posted March 9, 2015 The band/venue may not want you to use flash, I'd check up on that first. Agree with going for fast film (Delta 3200 perhaps, or pushed HP5 or Tri-X) and working with whatever lighting is there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy Posted March 9, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted March 9, 2015 I will shoot BW....I may get some Delta 3200 then :confused: Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSB Posted March 9, 2015 Share #5 Posted March 9, 2015 (edited) I'm not a professional by any means but I've I like to take pictures when I am at gigs (and it is possible). If the gig is well ligthed you can get away with your favourite ISO 400 film, althought a more high speed film could be preferable.I try to work with the existing light so I have no experience of using a flash at those situations. The first picture below was taken at a gig yeaterday with my Leica M5, Kentmere 400 and the Voigtländer Nokton 35/1,4. The light wasen't good, exposure was around 1/50 and f/1,4. The gig was pretty static, mostly because the stage was so small so there was hardly any room for the musicians to move in. The second picture is from a very dynamic gig last summer, but the artist as to sing sometimes so I tried to get a good position and pre set the focus on the microphone. The light wasen't strong but pretty even. Leica M6, Voigtländer Nokton 35/1,4; Kentmere 400, E.I 800, expsoure was around f/1,4-2; 1/60-125. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited March 9, 2015 by Markus B 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242088-shooting-live-gig-with-my-m4-2/?do=findComment&comment=2777770'>More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted March 10, 2015 Share #6 Posted March 10, 2015 General rules at gigs - usually 3 songs, NO FLASH. You may get lucky and be able to shoot the whole gig - depends on the promoter and artist. My standard film shooting set up for gigs is something like HP5 shot at ASA 1600 (and later developed in XTOL 1:1 using the standard Kodak published times on the XTOL fact sheet) - 1/60th sec at F4 pretty much does everything unless it's very dark or very bright. The 2 stop B&W film latitude allows you just to concentrate on shooting, as the lighting often changes too quickly for your to meter every shot. As for lens choice, it depends on how close you'll be and what sort of shot you want. Research the venue. Most venues will have pics online. If you're in the pit, anything from a 21 to 90 would work depending on the performers (single or band) and how close you'll be. (PS these are shot digitally, although some of the pics on my website are shot with film) 15 mm Right at the front Charlie Chan | Gregory Porter @ Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2014 | Chip Crawford & Aaron James with Gregory Porter @ Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2014 L1011879 21 mm right at the front Charlie Chan | Wilko Johnson - Still Kickin' - Cambridge Junction | Wilko Johnson - Still Kickin' 50mm at the front Charlie Chan | Youssou N'Dour @ WOMAD 2014 | Youssou N'Dour @ WOMAD 2014 75 mm equivalent at the front Charlie Chan | Kacey Musgraves @ Cornbury 2014 | Kacey Musgraves @ Cornbury 2014 Hope that helps. Good luck and enjoy it! Charlie 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted March 10, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks very much for all the helpful reply....and much appreciated for the pics too which gives me a better understanding of what's achievable. Let me start sayin I have absolute total freedom if I want to use the flash or if I want to take pics all night - as I said I approached a promoter which gave me the green light to go and have some fun taking picture. He would love a couple of good flicks - which is absolutely understandable. It's a rap gig - so there wont be any great expectations on lights or anything...and I'm sure I'm free to roam wherever I want. Here's a shot of the venue: I have been there couple of times already...it seems decently lit and hopefully it should be fine Film-wise: I am an amateur/newbie with film...so at the moment I dont develop myself and I dont have a clear understanding of "pushing" film. Should I just grab a couple of Delta 3200 to be safe? Ideally I would like to be around f2.8 and 1/125th shutter? I will get one of those 2nd hand Leica SF20...even if you guys says is not really powerful I'm sure it will add something, especially if I can get close 2-3 M from the subject..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted March 10, 2015 Share #8 Posted March 10, 2015 Jonny, OK, I've shot in the pit at Koko in Camden before. It's a great venue. The pit is quite small, but perfectly ok. Personally I would not shoot a gig with flash. Artistically, the flash will just flatten the light and make it rather uninteresting. Also, the lighting will be way more powerful than a tiny flashgun, like the SF-20. Although the promoter may be ok, the rap artist will hate it if you fire a flash gun 6-9ft from his face. Save your money and buy more film. If you're free to shoot the whole gig, and you only have the M4-2, take at least 10 rolls with you. Ilford 3200 isn't really a 3200 film. Depending on how bright the stage is lit, shoot something like HP5 or TriX. 1/60th at F4 will allow you a bit more focussing laxity and will be fine with something as long as a 75, let alone your 35. If the stage is very bright, you will be able to process it at box speed i.e. 400, uneven lighting as an ASA 800 film (i.e. pushed one stop), or if it's dark as ASA 1600 (pushed two stops). The first shot is Wilko Johnson shot at Koko from the pit using my DMR and 50 (i.e. equivalent of about 70mm with the 1.37 crop factor). The metadata says 1/90th at F4 at ISO 400. The stage was really well lit for that gig. The second shot is a film shot of Wilko at a festival - the pit and stage were similar to Koko, but the lights weren't as bright. This is HP5 rated at 1600 shot at 1/60th F4. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/242088-shooting-live-gig-with-my-m4-2/?do=findComment&comment=2778477'>More sharing options...
Broadside Posted March 11, 2015 Share #9 Posted March 11, 2015 So jealous Doc that you was at Wilko's Cambridge Junction benefit gig for Addenbrooke’s I couldn't get a ticket - they sold out in hours. But I suppose if anyone deserved a ticket - you did Bet it was good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted March 11, 2015 Share #10 Posted March 11, 2015 So jealous Doc that you was at Wilko's Cambridge Junction benefit gig for Addenbrooke’s I couldn't get a ticket - they sold out in hours. But I suppose if anyone deserved a ticket - you did Bet it was good. Paul, Thanks. The gig was an amazing celebration for everyone - Wilko, Norm, Dylan, the docs and staff at Addenbrookes and the crowd. You should get a ticket to see him somewhere! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted March 11, 2015 Charlie... Thanks very much for the suggestions, that gives me much more confidence. Those shots are nice and I would love to achieve that. I got myself an old Olympus flash which was really cheap...and yes I will buy 10 rolls....so yeah I will go for the HP5....I would love to go just with films so I can stay fully focus on that but is too much of a risk for me to dont get any decent shots...therefore I will bring down my M8 or eventually the Ricoh GR. Is a shame I cannot find any place in London where to hire an extra lens for my Leica...therefore I'm stuck on 35mm. I have to say I'm impressed how sharp the subject came out at 1/60th...I dont usually get it that sharp at that shutter speed! I will have to offer you a coffee when I will be around Cheltenham Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted March 11, 2015 Share #12 Posted March 11, 2015 Jonny, Take your M8 as well. You'll be able to shoot more with that. The RAW files will be ok post processed in Lightroom. The M8 is younger than my DMRs, which still turn out great images at gigs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share #13 Posted March 19, 2015 (edited) topoxforddoc thanks very much for the precious advices. Shooting with a Leica was really challenging but I managed to get some nice shots - and that's all I wanted! I stuck to the setting you said, f4 1/60th with no flash - love it. And the M8 did amazing! Here's a flick Edited March 19, 2015 by jonnyboy pic attached Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSB Posted March 19, 2015 Share #14 Posted March 19, 2015 Nice one! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted March 19, 2015 Share #15 Posted March 19, 2015 Jonny, Glad it went well. The shot looks great. Best wishes, Charlie 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted March 20, 2015 Share #16 Posted March 20, 2015 (edited) I don't know if you have shot much Tri-X or not, but I would consider shooting Tri-X rated at either ISO 800 or 1600. Even at ISO 1600, Tri-X does very well; you will lose just a hint of contrast in my experience, but the harsh stage lighting should compensate for that. Tri-X has respectable sized grain for a traditional (non-tabular grain) emulsion; it has a long exposure curve, which will be a great help in unpredictable and constantly changing concert lighting. Ilford HP5+ is fairly similar to Tri-X, although it is a little lower contrast than Tri-X. I have found that I prefer the blacks and dark tones that Tri-X produces. Tri-X also does not block up in the shadows and blacks, but retains texture and detail. It's about impossible go wrong with Tri-X, in my experience - particularly if you do your own developing. Concert lighting will be a challenge; when the stage lights and spotlights on the performers are at their most intense, you will have to stop way down and jack up your shutter speed to avoid blown highlights. When a slow or moody set is being performed, the lights will be low and you will be shooting wide open or close to it with slower shutter speeds. A monopod is a must-have for this kind of low light shooting, particularly when shooting film and you are limited to one ISO rating for the entire roll. I would not count on being able to use flash, either; if flash will be permitted, great. If not, don't try to use it anyway. That could get you removed from the venue in a heartbeat. Edited March 20, 2015 by Carlos Danger 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wk Posted March 20, 2015 Share #17 Posted March 20, 2015 I also use Tri-x at 1600 for concert shots. You can also push Portra 400 to 800 or even 1600. Portra holds up quite well to this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnyboy Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share #18 Posted May 26, 2015 Last week I was shooting another gig - this one in the JazzCafe in Camden. I packed my M4-2...bunch of rolls - but also my M8, just in case!Shooting film is a though business especially if you need to come out with results...the concert starts, I quickly set the camera...click, click, click start shooting. The stage was lit quite poorly...basically a spotlight was hitting the middle of the stage while the artist was performing all left or all right - I knew I was overexposing some stuff and under exposing others after almost 20 shots, the camera stop working: I couldnt wind the film for whatever reason the handle wasnt moving I got a bit stressed, it was dark and not the ideal for me to figure out how to fix it....therefore I put my hands on my M8 which saved my night. When I went back home strangely enough the film was winding normally, I guess something went wrong on the spot... Gutted I barely shot 1 roll of film, I was so disappointed I havent even processed the roll yet M8 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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