A camera to sneak into concerts with

Mark A Stephens · Apr 21, 2018

Most concerts allow compact cameras, while others only allow cell phone cameras. Most performers welcome the increased social media activity and photos during concerts. I am looking for the highest quality compact camera with the most detail in the pixel after you download the photo and zoom in. We have tried so many $500 range cameras and most just cant stay up with the low light and the motion indoors to get good performance shots. I am not worried about price, just a small camera that has top quality high resolution without pixelation loss at low light. If it had a nice easy to use movie mode it would be a plus too! Thanks for the help.

MarshallG · Apr 22, 2018

BrownieVet said:
If you are SNEAKING a camera into a concert, that means cameras are not allowed.
I've seen people arrested and thrown out of the venue for attempting to take photos where signs prohibiting cameras, including cell phones with camera are prominently displayed.

Oh, please! I used to sneak tape decks into concerts and when the Grateful Dead finally allowed tapers to set up microphone stands and record all they wanted... ticket sales exploded. They couldn’t find arenas big enough, even on a tour schedule.

The DON’T rule is:

DONT FIRE A FLASH IN AN INDOOR CONCERT!

Chris Wolfgram · Apr 22, 2018

Mark A Stephens said:
Most concerts allow compact cameras, while others only allow cell phone cameras. Most performers welcome the increased social media activity and photos during concerts. I am looking for the highest quality compact camera with the most detail in the pixel after you download the photo and zoom in. We have tried so many $500 range cameras and most just cant stay up with the low light and the motion indoors to get good performance shots. I am not worried about price, just a small camera that has top quality high resolution without pixelation loss at low light. If it had a nice easy to use movie mode it would be a plus too! Thanks for the help.

I would say if your "sneaking in anywhere" with a camera, the best camera for that, would be one which you wouldn't be so hurt by, if it gets confiscated !

I've actually had to consider this when "sneaking onto private farm ponds" for fishing. I definitely never brought my best pole

lol

--
Photos are my paintings. The camera is my brush.
DPreview gallery; http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/5075216809
No time or attention given for negativity or trolls.

FrancoD · Apr 22, 2018

Fishchris said:
Mark A Stephens said:

Most concerts allow compact cameras, while others only allow cell phone cameras. Most performers welcome the increased social media activity and photos during concerts. I am looking for the highest quality compact camera with the most detail in the pixel after you download the photo and zoom in. We have tried so many $500 range cameras and most just cant stay up with the low light and the motion indoors to get good performance shots. I am not worried about price, just a small camera that has top quality high resolution without pixelation loss at low light. If it had a nice easy to use movie mode it would be a plus too! Thanks for the help.

Click to expand...

I would say if your "sneaking in anywhere" with a camera, the best camera for that, would be one which you wouldn't be so hurt by, if it gets confiscated !

I've actually had to consider this when "sneaking onto private farm ponds" for fishing. I definitely never brought my best pole lol

riveredger · Apr 22, 2018

MarshallG said:
BrownieVet said:

If you are SNEAKING a camera into a concert, that means cameras are not allowed.
I've seen people arrested and thrown out of the venue for attempting to take photos where signs prohibiting cameras, including cell phones with camera are prominently displayed.

Click to expand...

Oh, please! I used to sneak tape decks into concerts and when the Grateful Dead finally allowed tapers to set up microphone stands and record all they wanted... ticket sales exploded. They couldn’t find arenas big enough, even on a tour schedule.

The DON’T rule is:

DONT FIRE A FLASH IN AN INDOOR CONCERT!

Sneaky people lack integrity.

tbcass · Apr 22, 2018

Night sample

Daylight Sample

--
Tom
Look at the picture, not the pixels

Tuonov2 · Apr 22, 2018

All the concerts I've been to lately have the rule 'no professional camera's'. When queried that supposedly means no interchangeable lens cameras. I took my Nikon V3 with 30-110 lens attached to the last one and it was allowed in when security checked it. Unfortunately I can't comment on it's performance as I'm an idiot and forgot to put a memory card in prior to leaving home :-(

MarshallG · Apr 22, 2018

riveredger said:
MarshallG said:

BrownieVet said:

If you are SNEAKING a camera into a concert, that means cameras are not allowed.
I've seen people arrested and thrown out of the venue for attempting to take photos where signs prohibiting cameras, including cell phones with camera are prominently displayed.

Click to expand...

Oh, please! I used to sneak tape decks into concerts and when the Grateful Dead finally allowed tapers to set up microphone stands and record all they wanted... ticket sales exploded. They couldn’t find arenas big enough, even on a tour schedule.

The DON’T rule is:

DONT FIRE A FLASH IN AN INDOOR CONCERT!

Click to expand...

Sneaky people lack integrity.

I bet to disagree with your inappropriate attack on my moral character:

“Integrity:

the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”

Sneaking a camera into a concert is not dishonest. In order to be dishonest, I would need to first promise that I was not bringing a camera into the concert. So no dishonesty exists, except, perhaps, with the morally dishonest “shrink wrap” agreement of ticket holder terms.

Sneaking a camera into a concert is not an immoral act. In fact, musicians I know WANT me to photograph their shows.

Concert promoters create all sorts of stupid, senseless and unfair rules. Performers at Coachella can’t play shows within 1,000 miles of the festival for six months.

I’m a photographer. I shoot. I don’t ask trees, shrubs, mountains or rock stars for permission and I sure don’t need you faux morality in my life.

MarshallG · Apr 22, 2018

tko said:
As a general rule, the smaller the camera, the worse the low light performance AND the more telephoto/zoom, the worse the low light performance. A tiny camera with zoom is going to suck, no magic here, its pretty much physics--just like you found out.

You want a wide angle pocket camera with good low light, doable.

”the thing” is that, no matter what you’ve got, if you aren’t in rows 1-3, you aren’t likely getting much, depending on the venue. If you’re in a balcony, enjoy the show.

Martin.au · Apr 22, 2018

khunpapa said:
Mark A Stephens said:

I am not worried about price, just a small camera that has top quality high resolution without pixelation loss at low light. If it had a nice easy to use movie mode it would be a plus too! Thanks for the help.

Click to expand...

I think of only the Trojan Horse Panasonic GX-85 + the Olympus 15mm f/8 lens. It's "small size" often mis-identified as a-bit-big compact.

The real killer is the 35-100mm f/2.8 lens. Small & light enough to be put in the pocket. Once inside the concert, swap the 15mm with this little beast. You may be able to keep the 15mm in your wallet!

Pana GM serie is smaller. Less "efficacy" than the GX, but more stealth. Wish your sneaking impossible mission legally success.

InkedMarie · Apr 22, 2018

tbcass said:
Night sample

Daylight Sample

--
Tom
Look at the picture, not the pixels

I recognize Brad Paisley; who’s the girl?

Marie

khunpapa · Apr 22, 2018

Martin.au said:
khunpapa said:

The real killer is the 35-100mm f/2.8 lens. Small & light enough to be put in the pocket. Once inside the concert, swap the 15mm with this little beast. You may be able to keep the 15mm in your wallet!

Click to expand...

75mm f1.8 is also a good candidate. Smaller and lighter than the 35-100, but with an extra stop and a bit of aperture.

Hard to decide dilemma. The 75 has +1 stop but the 35-100 has 1.3x TC equivalent plus the 35mm to shoot the surround.

BTW, consider small size & light weight, if I were the OP, I'd bring the Pana 14/2.5 or 12-32 kits instead of that lens cap.

Son of Thunder · Apr 22, 2018

Panasonic GX850 with a 40-150 or can you find the Olympus that attaches to the phone

riveredger · Apr 22, 2018

MarshallG said:
riveredger said:

MarshallG said:

BrownieVet said:

If you are SNEAKING a camera into a concert, that means cameras are not allowed.
I've seen people arrested and thrown out of the venue for attempting to take photos where signs prohibiting cameras, including cell phones with camera are prominently displayed.

Click to expand...

Oh, please! I used to sneak tape decks into concerts and when the Grateful Dead finally allowed tapers to set up microphone stands and record all they wanted... ticket sales exploded. They couldn’t find arenas big enough, even on a tour schedule.

The DON’T rule is:

DONT FIRE A FLASH IN AN INDOOR CONCERT!

Click to expand...

Sneaky people lack integrity.

Click to expand...

I bet to disagree with your inappropriate attack on my moral character:

“Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”

Sneaking a camera into a concert is not dishonest. In order to be dishonest, I would need to first promise that I was not bringing a camera into the concert. So no dishonesty exists, except, perhaps, with the morally dishonest “shrink wrap” agreement of ticket holder terms.

Sneaking a camera into a concert is not an immoral act. In fact, musicians I know WANT me to photograph their shows.

Concert promoters create all sorts of stupid, senseless and unfair rules. Performers at Coachella can’t play shows within 1,000 miles of the festival for six months.

I’m a photographer. I shoot. I don’t ask trees, shrubs, mountains or rock stars for permission and I sure don’t need you faux morality in my life.

You know there is truth to what I posted. The fact that you are "sneaking" your gear is evidence enough of dishonesty.

MarshallG · Apr 22, 2018

riveredger said:
MarshallG said:

riveredger said:

MarshallG said:

BrownieVet said:

If you are SNEAKING a camera into a concert, that means cameras are not allowed.
I've seen people arrested and thrown out of the venue for attempting to take photos where signs prohibiting cameras, including cell phones with camera are prominently displayed.

Click to expand...

Oh, please! I used to sneak tape decks into concerts and when the Grateful Dead finally allowed tapers to set up microphone stands and record all they wanted... ticket sales exploded. They couldn’t find arenas big enough, even on a tour schedule.

The DON’T rule is:

DONT FIRE A FLASH IN AN INDOOR CONCERT!

Click to expand...

Sneaky people lack integrity.

Click to expand...

I bet to disagree with your inappropriate attack on my moral character:

“Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.”

Sneaking a camera into a concert is not dishonest. In order to be dishonest, I would need to first promise that I was not bringing a camera into the concert. So no dishonesty exists, except, perhaps, with the morally dishonest “shrink wrap” agreement of ticket holder terms.

Sneaking a camera into a concert is not an immoral act. In fact, musicians I know WANT me to photograph their shows.

Concert promoters create all sorts of stupid, senseless and unfair rules. Performers at Coachella can’t play shows within 1,000 miles of the festival for six months.

I’m a photographer. I shoot. I don’t ask trees, shrubs, mountains or rock stars for permission and I sure don’t need you faux morality in my life.

Click to expand...

You know there is truth to what I posted. The fact that you are "sneaking" your gear is evidence enough of dishonesty.

My conscience is exceedingly clear, Boy Scout. My photographs help bands. It steals absolutely nothing from anyone. However, these days, I know most of the bands I work with and I rarely need or bother to sneak equipment into shows.

tbcass · Apr 23, 2018

InkedMarie said:
tbcass said:

Night sample

Daylight Sample

Click to expand...

I recognize Brad Paisley; who’s the girl?

Marie

Jana Kramer. I was able to get close to the stage for a few shots before they told me to go back to my seat.

--
Tom
Look at the picture, not the pixels

Bradrobb · Apr 23, 2018

Hi

I know some places do not allow inter changeable lens cameras in to venues.

Some venues restrict the focal length on cameras this is usually no more then a kit lens zoom.

I found the best way around this is to shoot jpeg with my Sony cameras and they have clear image zoom that doubles the focal length of the lens and works most of the time.

Most times I just take my Sony RX100 because it is small and fits in my pocket. I like to enjoy the show. The RX100 is also silent.

Brad

MarshallG · Apr 23, 2018

DOReview has a nice list of cameras under $1,000. Some will do ok, and some won’t:

https://www.dpreview.com/products/c...tax_k70&products=sony_a6300&sortDir=ascending

The features to look for:

1) No viewfinder hump (probably the most important thing)

2) All-black.

3) Small as possible

4) Largest possible sensor

5) Long-ish lens

6) Fast lens

7) Good High ISO performance

8) Focis tracking

Nobody makes such a camera yet. Many shows will let you bring a “non-professional” camera in. So you can carry in the Sony RX-100 and shoot all day. I have a friend who brings in a compact Leica and it’s perfectly fine. The new Canon M6 is promising — big, fast sensor, and no viewfinder hump. Paired with a small prime lens, this would be compact and fast enough to be formidable. Unfortunately, they have no fast primes in EF-M Mount, so you need to use an adapter, which adds bulk. Next choice would be SonyA6300. Sony makes a 50mm f/1.8 lens for this camera. Lastly, if you want to be really safe, there’s the Sony RX100, but I’ve never been happy with my results from its 1” sensor. Others I know like it, though

liopleurodon · Apr 23, 2018

Mark A Stephens said:
Most concerts allow compact cameras, while others only allow cell phone cameras. Most performers welcome the increased social media activity and photos during concerts. I am looking for the highest quality compact camera with the most detail in the pixel after you download the photo and zoom in. We have tried so many $500 range cameras and most just cant stay up with the low light and the motion indoors to get good performance shots. I am not worried about price, just a small camera that has top quality high resolution without pixelation loss at low light. If it had a nice easy to use movie mode it would be a plus too! Thanks for the help.

A Canon G7x I or G7x 2 might be the ticket. They have the longest fast lens in any compact camera. Price no object a Sony RX100 V would be the ultimate choice for this purchase.

Also what type of smartphone do you have? Moment's telephoto lens (or its competitors) might work for you.

liopleurodon · Apr 23, 2018

richiebee said:
Mark A Stephens said:

Most concerts allow compact cameras, while others only allow cell phone cameras. Most performers welcome the increased social media activity and photos during concerts.

Click to expand...

If they allow and welcome it, why do you need to "sneak"?

I interpreted that as "How can I take a camera with high image quality in when rules are designed to allow only basic cameras".

I think the public's association of image quality with DSLR shaped things works in the clever photographers favor. The same place that will make you put your T6 + 18-55 back in your car will likely allow a G1X mark III with no issue.

InkedMarie · Apr 23, 2018

I saw her December 2013, opened for Craig Morgan. Not great pics and shared from my FB.

A camera to sneak into concerts with

Member

Forum Pro

Veteran Member

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Forum Pro

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts