Taking a camera in the O2 Arena, UK

Hi Guys

I am heading off to a concert at the O2 Arena tomorrow night and I am wondering what sort of camera I can get away with taking in with me!!! I have amazing seats, 4 rows from the front and I was hoping if I could take a good camera with me I could get some really great shots.

According to the O2 Arena website -- a 35mm camera, or anything with a detachable lens they will consider a 'professional' camera and not allow. However, I own a Panasonic FZ38 which is a 27mm..... would this be shaky ground?

Does anybody else have experience at the O2 Arena with cameras? ..... if not I will have to take my pocket sized Casio Exilim

It is a bit "big" so too "conspicous".
A compact may be more "friendly"

However, if that is the only one you own if you can always argue that it does NOT have interchangeable lens capability, if indeed they have set out such a rule.

But on a whole, no official would bother anyone taking pictures with any camera unless you are making a nuisance in interfering with other audiance.

I took my Fuji F31FD to the O2 when i saw The War of the worlds tour a few years ago.
Second row, dead centre. It was amazing and i really wished i had taken my DSLR.

This is from that concert



Ive never been searched going in (been there around 6 times now) other than when i went to see Prince, and we all know how strict he was about cameras.

when i got my TZ7 last year i was hoping to shoot a lot of gigs but haven't been to any lol.

Ive also just got a FZ38 and am also wondering if it will be easy getting it in to places like this. Its too bulky to fit in a pocket although maybe a cost pocket might conceal it.
I think you will be fine but i also think its pot luck on the night.

--
Dave.

Gallery @
http://davepearce.smugmug.com
S90 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157622647970370/
FZ38 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157623847343904/

Videos @ http://www.vimeo.com/user464364/videos

As I'm a girl, I've got the advantage of having a large handbag that I can put my camera in so that does help with the FZ being so bulky as it fits in there fine and I can smile rather angelically and innocently at people....but I am a bit worried about going through security or having a bag search.

The concert is for Michael Buble (nobody laugh!!!) so I'm not sure how tight on security they are likely to be.

I'm worried if I get too greedy and try and take the FZ in, instead of just a normal bog standard pocket sized camera, I won't be able to get any shots at all if they don't allow me to use it.

mini2 said:

I'm worried if I get too greedy and try and take the FZ in, instead of just a normal bog standard pocket sized camera, I won't be able to get any shots at all if they don't allow me to use it.

Click to expand...

Result lol.

I think you will be ok. Yes, its bigger but if you can put it in your handbag i think either they wont see it, or the fact thats its in their will show its not a pro camera.

I guess you could give them a call and ask for clarification.

Funny enough my band are playing a wedding tomorrow and we have to play Everything as their first dance
--
Dave.

Gallery @
http://davepearce.smugmug.com
S90 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157622647970370/
FZ38 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157623847343904/

Videos @ http://www.vimeo.com/user464364/videos

I've sent their customer services an email to see what they say... then at least if they say it is alright then I can print it out and take it along as evidence ... They should just be grateful I'm not trying to take my Canon 550D in with me!

Wish me luck )

... that is so cute about the wedding tomorrow by the way. Michael Buble is a legend. Rock on!!!!!!!

Just my 2 cents worth,

If you have a choice, you might look for something with better low light capabilities. From what I read the FZ's are not the best in this area, although I am sure that if the lighting is good you will have no problems.
Enjoy.....

If it helps, have a look here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/freddy-g/sets/72157623061903810/

This all set was taken at the O2 arena with an LX3....

hi,

just my 2 Cents, you can get in, if you

1. put your FZ in a non professional looking bag, which should be very small!
2. forget any DSLR, you won't get in
3. shoot with minimum shutter speed of 1/60Sek., or even 1/125Sek. at ISO400
4. you will get a lot of blury pictures, if there is too much movement
5. good luck!

p12 said:

hi,

just my 2 Cents, you can get in, if you

1. put your FZ in a non professional looking bag, which should be very small!
2. forget any DSLR, you won't get in
3. shoot with minimum shutter speed of 1/60Sek., or even 1/125Sek. at ISO400
4. you will get a lot of blury pictures, if there is too much movement
5. good luck!

Click to expand...

I agree with all that but i would go to ISO800, to get a faster shutter speed and shoot Raw.

I know noise will be quite strong but if shooting raw it can be tamed. I wouldn't normally go near ISO800 on my FZ38 but if its between a blurry shot or a noisy shot, at least the latter can be improved upon.

If there is a lot of light on the artist/band then you could well get shutter speeds of 1/100+ at ISO400. It may be low light shooting but you can get an awful lot of light on stage at these big gigs.

Shoot loads and experiment if possible with exposure. You may even find you need a lot of -EV to stop faces getting blown out.

EDIT: I just realised its too late lol. Oh well, hope the gig was good and the OP got some good shots.
--
Dave.

Gallery @
http://davepearce.smugmug.com
S90 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157622647970370/
FZ38 Shots @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/davebass5/sets/72157623847343904/

Videos @ http://www.vimeo.com/user464364/videos