First concert photos with G11

One of the main reasons I purchased the G11 was to have a P&S camera that I could take to concerts where I wouldn't be allowed to bring my Canon 40D. The rule most bands have about "no professional cameras with detachable lenses" prevents me from bringing my 40D to most concerts I attend. I have been using a 3 year old Canon SD700 IS at concerts. Under the right lighting conditions the SD700 can take some pretty decent concert photos, but a majority come out blurry and grainy. I really needed a camera that gives me more control over ISO and exposure. And low noise at higher ISO's. When I read about the G11, it seemed to the fit the bill. I have two U2 concerts next week that I'll be taking photos with my G11 from the GA floor close proximity to the band. Last night was my trial run at using the G11 in a concert setting, getting used to the camera and finding the best settings. Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame was in town last night playing at the Marquee Theater in Tempe AZ, a small venue with a capacity of around 1000. So the stage lighting was nowhere near what I'd normally see at an arena or stadium show like U2. Still, the G11 performed very well and thrilled with the results. I shot in RAW+JPEG. I've uploaded the JPEG's from the camera to Smugmug. Once I have time to start processing the RAW files, I'll start replacing the better shots with ones from DPP.

http://desertsky.smugmug.com/Music/Daughtry-2009-10-13

For most of the concert, I shot in Manual mode at ISO 800, 1/100 & 1/80, spot metering. I was really happy with how fast the G11 was able to focus in on the band members. Having Servo AF and Continuous AF turned on definitely helps.

a few samples..











-- http://desertsky.smugmug.com

Forgot to mention... The articulating LCD screen rocks for concert photos! Definitely comes in handy when you have to hold the camera high above the heads in front of you.
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http://desertsky.smugmug.com

I agree with you, John...Not expecting miracles from a small sensor..Looks pretty clean for iso800..Nice job!

How fast was the focusing and continous shooting?

Bp

Focusing speed was surprisingly good with Servo AF and continuous AF turned on. My old SD700 IS would struggle finding focus in low-light. The G11 manual states the battery will drain a little quicker with continuous AF switched on, but after a nearly 1.5 hour concert I still had plenty of juice left in the battery. I carry a spare battery with me anyway just in case. As far as continuous shooting, it's not as fast as I'd like. It'd be nice if it could shoot as quickly as my 40D, but I wasn't expecting it. Shooting in RAW mode probably slows it down a bit.

-- http://desertsky.smugmug.com

I took this shot Friday night at The Sounds concert in Tempe AZ. I'm continued to be impressed what this little camera can do in dim lighting. I'll be shooting Tuesday night and Friday at U2 where the stage lighting will be much better.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43591578@N00/4018951775/

ISO 800, F2.8, 1/125



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http://desertsky.smugmug.com

John Telleria said:

I took this shot Friday night at The Sounds concert in Tempe AZ.

Click to expand...

I bet she works out.

I'll say it again (pablotalbot o flickr). That's one helluva shot. I'd be curious to see what the raw version could do.
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Paul

Great photos by the way.

I used to have a G5, but from samples i've seen the G11 is a million miles away from it in every way - perhaps the f2.0 lens aside.

I took my sons Powershot A540 to U2 at Sheffield don Valley stadium (fits into a jean pocket easily enough)

All taken on manual exposure. No IS so got a few blurry shots, but some are ok for viewing on screen.

U2 were great, but not the best Ive seen them - that would have to be Zoo TV tour Roundhay Park in Leeds back in 1993. I took a roll of film on a LOMO camera from the front, got some great pics but have since lost the photos, ah well.

Enjoy the concert and post the pics

Cheers









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Canon EOS400D - 17-85mm - 80-200mm - Pentacon 50mm via Adaptor.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/99305109@N00/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77538932@N00/

Nice shots! Were you inside the circle or outside rail? I have GA tickets for both Tuesday and Friday U2 shows and plan on waiting in the queue both days to get good spots on the floor for photos. I was on the outside rail for Chicago 1 last month and got some really nice shots of the band when they were on the catwalk.

http://desertsky.smugmug.com/Music/U2-2009-09-12-Chicago

I wish the G11 had come out a month earlier or more of my shots in Chicago would have come out cleaner. I'm definitely doing the outside rail again tomorrow night. I'm debating whether to go for the front row in Vegas. I know the stage is pretty high. Being only 5'5", I might not have a very good view from the front.

-- http://desertsky.smugmug.com

John,

We were up against the walkway outside the inner area, which is great because you are near enough to see the band, but also the stage show. Ive seen lots of gigs over the years and its and either been up the front jumping around or sat half way back , I guess it depends on the band as to which is best.

You were in a great position for the u2 pics on your site. I agree with you that the G11 will be sharper and have a bit more bite, iso 400 1/125 on shutter Prriority with IS should be ok. Even though I only had the A540 I set the Shutter to 1/60 iso 200 and let the camera under expose a little if needed, I was trying just to get sharp pictures, you can always push them later.

Post some shots when youve been to the show.

Cheers

Canon EOS400D - 17-85mm - 80-200mm - Pentacon 50mm via Adaptor.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/99305109@N00/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/77538932@N00/

John Telleria said:

Servo AF and continuous AF turned on.

Click to expand...

My s90 has both these features and I'm unfamiliar with Servo AF except for what I've read briefly in the manual. I'm curious as to why you use Servo and Continuous AF at the same time. What are the benefits in real life?

Great pix.

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gail ~ http://www.pbase.com/gailb

s90 BLOG: http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-logs/canon-s90/canon-s90-first-impressions/

With Servo AF on, when you press the shutter button halfway, the camera will obtain focus and maintain focus on the subject if it's moving. Sports mode uses this. And if you have Continuous AF on, the camera will contantly be focusing, even when the shutter button isn't pressed down halfway. This way the camera is ready to take next shot even before you press the shutter button. But as the manual states, Continous AF puts extra strain on the battery, so don't turn it on unless you really need it or have spare batteries ready to go.

-- http://desertsky.smugmug.com

they are lookin great john. canon hit a home run with the g11 and s90 i think in terms of low light. the photographer helps too john. thks for sharing, rude

I used to shoot concerts professionally with a DSLR, so I'm always disappointed with the results from a point and shoot. However, there's an expectable level of disappointment and then there's images that are just next to useless.

I used my G9 at a Moby concert in LA last week (well, I say "my", but my wife insists it's hers!). I shot at ISO 800, but the lighting really needed ISO 1600 achieve reasonable shutter speeds. Even at ISO 800 the noise is almost unbearable.

Your G11 photos look much better I show that even at ISO 1600 it should produce usable images (I say that partly based on the ISO 1600 images I've seen from the camera). This is a big improvement.

Maybe if I don't go for a MFT camera like the GF-1, I'll pick one up just for the reduced noise.