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I shoot classical concerts and musicians, and dance.

TBH, I found it easier initially with an Olympus OMD EM5ii and now with a SL, though I still have a M.

 

The problem with a rangefinder is the difficulty using the longer lenses that you sometimes want. I prefer to use 90mm upwards. I liked using the Olympus 75mm (150 equivalent), and now, for close-ups in concerts, the SL 90-280. A lot depends on how close you are to the stage and how much you want close-ups.

 

The problem with the M is that I found its ISO range is not quite good enough: I couldn't quite get a motion-stopping shutter speed with low enough noise. I expect the next M to be better. For dance in particular you need 1/250 or 1/500 or faster.

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I use M cameras all the time for concerts and musicians (check http://www.ctribble.co.uk/performance.html and http://www.archive.ctribble.co.uk/text/photoPerform_2010_11.htm). It's the perfect tool for situations where you can work close.  If you have to go beyond the reach of a 90mm lens you need to use another tool.  On assignment I take 2 M240s + a range of lenses from 21 through to 90 + a Canon 5D2 with 70-200 IS f2.8 L. Occasionally I'll use a Canon 300 f2.8 L.  

As ever - horses for courses.

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The problem with the M is that I found its ISO range is not quite good enough: I couldn't quite get a motion-stopping shutter speed with low enough noise. I expect the next M to be better. For dance in particular you need 1/250 or 1/500 or faster.

For dance - yes, this could be an issue, but I've never had a problem with high ISO shots from the M240.  

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For dance - yes, this could be an issue, but I've never had a problem with high ISO shots from the M240.  

Chris, I've seen some of your shots and agree you have succeeded, particularly where you have been close to your subjects.

From my recollection, I had trouble dealing with noise above ISO 1600, f/2 and 1/60 - perhaps because I could not get close enough, and so was obliged to crop.

If the next M is as good or better than the SL at high ISO, then I'm sure it would be easier.

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@Chris: Which version of the 90mm lens are you using on the M240?

90 Apo-Summicron (perhaps my least used lens). To be honest, when I need this focal length for performance work I usually switch to the DSLR...  I have been tempted by a Leica SL for longer lenses, but frankly, the quality I get from the Canon 70-200 is outstanding and I don't use it enough to justify the investment in a new body.  Now, if the new M has a decent EVF it might be a different story.

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Chris, I've seen some of your shots and agree you have succeeded, particularly where you have been close to your subjects.

From my recollection, I had trouble dealing with noise above ISO 1600, f/2 and 1/60 - perhaps because I could not get close enough, and so was obliged to crop.

If the next M is as good or better than the SL at high ISO, then I'm sure it would be easier.

Focusing above 50mm with rapidly moving subjects (and this can include musicians) is tough - generally I find the RF is not my preferred tool for this kind of work.  I should also say that almost all of my work in music has been done during sound check or rehearsal.  If you're stuck at the back of the hall then it's a case of 300mm (or longer) and an SLR...

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Yes, I have used the M240 for a concert. For longer shots I use the 135mm with goggles and I also used an old Tamron 300mm F2.8 which I use with an adaptor. The concert was for a 'crooner' type of singer so there was not too much movement.

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I must be the odd one out here - i love my M240 for concerts.

If i am shooting from the "pit" between stage and crowd barrier i alternate between the M and 2x 1DX (70-200 and 24-70)

I normally prefer the M pics, and most of the time they get published over the pics from the work issued 1DX

 

Depending on the size of stage etc - i will use either my 50 summarit or 90 M rokkor (both relatively slow lenses - f2.5 and f4)

 

 

 

Shooting from the sound desk typically means a 1DX and wither 400f2.8 or 600f4

 

I will post some M pics when i get a chance

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Heres a few concert pictures from the M240

 

Jebediah - not sure on lens, not coded into EXIF, so probably the Rokkor 

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Troye Sivan - 90 M Rokkor - the LED lighting was really tricky at this gig and has affected his hair.
I hate LED stage lights, they always look different to the camera, kind a weird oversaturated look unless they are underexposed quite heavily

 

Toni Braxton - 50 Summarit

 

San Cisco - 50 Summarit

 

Foo Fighters (i do use the M from the sound desk sometimes - for a wider shot of the stage)

50 summarit

Edited by Echo63
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I must be the odd one out here - i love my M240 for concerts.

If i am shooting from the "pit" between stage and crowd barrier i alternate between the M and 2x 1DX (70-200 and 24-70)

I normally prefer the M pics, and most of the time they get published over the pics from the work issued 1DX

 

Depending on the size of stage etc - i will use either my 50 summarit or 90 M rokkor (both relatively slow lenses - f2.5 and f4)

 

 

 

Shooting from the sound desk typically means a 1DX and wither 400f2.8 or 600f4

 

I will post some M pics when i get a chance

I suspect your concerts operate at a higher decibel level than mine! I can't use an M or SL that close to the stage because of shutter noise, except, as Chris says, for rehearsals and sound checks. And at classical concerts waving around a camera with a silent shutter (e.g. Olympus OMD EM5ii) at the front of the stage is not popular.

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@Echo63
wow! great concert shots! I am also thinking about doing concert photography with my M-P240. Most of the time I will shoot from the pit (medium and big size stages). I will try to avoid using a DSLR with 70-200 because all other people using it and most of the shots looking the same. I would like to try out "something different" but I think I will have to get a 90mm too. :( At the moment I am using 28, 35 and 50. I know that some close-ups are not possible with this combo.

Have you ever run into issues with ISO on your M240 while shooting concerts? Some people complain about weak ISO performance but from my point of view I do not care much about noise in concert photography.

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M240 + 35mm is always my first choice, then it's up to me to get close enough, though obviously it isn't always possible.

 

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Edited by Peter H
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My favorite gear for rock concerts is also the M240 + 35 FLE.  I like to shoot the crowds as much as the stage and backstage.  The LED lights are a real challenge with their mixed colors and swift motion that can play havoc on the light meter. In some concerts the spotlight on the artists' face is so strong that it's tough to get good overall exposure.

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Ahh! (The groan of a 'retired') theatrical shooter. In my hey day I shot Hasselblad originally, but switched to Leica m6's and typically shot and changed 13 rolls of 36 (in the dark) at a full dress rehearsal. The clue is do the rehearsal. A live performance is a pain to shoot with audience 'interference'.

 

I always shot FujiPress 800 C/N (it worked better under stage lights) and rarely had exposure problems. The critical thing is how much light their is. I am talking pre digital style lights. The current crop of lights used have heaps of light for exposure. The problem is the way they flash and wave around. My best solution, having upgraded to M8's and M9 was to set exposure manually and anticipate the lights position and frequency of 'wave'. Practice makes it work. It's all in your reflexes!

 

I used lenses ranging from 15mm to 90mm, 50mm & 35mm being the most frequent used. I always had free access to the stage ( a great advantage) and the total trust of performers, with respect to their space.

 

Here are a couple of teasers from 1993. The play was Hedda Gabler.

 

My brief was always to produce approx 30 - 16"x20" display prints for foyer display the following (opening) night.

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@Echo63
wow! great concert shots! I am also thinking about doing concert photography with my M-P240. Most of the time I will shoot from the pit (medium and big size stages). I will try to avoid using a DSLR with 70-200 because all other people using it and most of the shots looking the same. I would like to try out "something different" but I think I will have to get a 90mm too.  :( At the moment I am using 28, 35 and 50. I know that some close-ups are not possible with this combo.

Have you ever run into issues with ISO on your M240 while shooting concerts? Some people complain about weak ISO performance but from my point of view I do not care much about noise in concert photography.

 

I haven't had any issues yet, but the gigs i shoot are generally well lit - the Toni Braxton shot above was ridiculously bright - from memory it was 1/250 f4 @ 400 ISO

normally i am at 1/250, f4 3200 ISO

No issues with noise yet.

 


I suspect your concerts operate at a higher decibel level than mine! I can't use an M or SL that close to the stage because of shutter noise, except, as Chris says, for rehearsals and sound checks. And at classical concerts waving around a camera with a silent shutter (e.g. Olympus OMD EM5ii) at the front of the stage is not popular.

 

 

Yes, Earplugs are a must !

 

 

My favorite gear for rock concerts is also the M240 + 35 FLE.  I like to shoot the crowds as much as the stage and backstage.  The LED lights are a real challenge with their mixed colors and swift motion that can play havoc on the light meter. In some concerts the spotlight on the artists' face is so strong that it's tough to get good overall exposure.

I dislike the LED lights too !

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