Limburger
Veteran Member
Currently got a 7D but is limiting.
Would the 6D AF cut the mustard?
Would the 6D AF cut the mustard?
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6D for concert photography?
- Thread starter Limburger
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- canon eos 6d canon eos 7d
Limburger
Veteran Member
Sorry I got a 7D and never even touched a 6D let alone used it.
peter zuehlke
Active member
Yes, use it all the time. I just use the center AF point. But the AF is very sensitive in low light and the 6D image quality in the very low environments of stages (especially with all the LED luminaires now) is much better than the half-frame cameras.
lots more concert, stage shots in my other picasa galleries.
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lots more concert, stage shots in my other picasa galleries.
That's kind of a troll-ish response. What value did this add to the discussion?
Yes, definitely. I've used a 40mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.8, and 24-105mm f/4 with success in very dark environments. The center focus point works best, but I can achieve focus lock with the others if there are areas of high contrast. I was pleasantly surprised that the f/4 aperture wasn't much of an impediment. Below is an example of the low light levels I'm talking about, although I'm not sure that dpreview compression will show how sharp the guitarist really is...
Limburger
Veteran Member
Peter & Stevil,
Those are cool shots and thanks for the feedback.
I am a bit in an internal struggle to either put fast glass on the 7D or get a FF (6D Canon or A7 Sony).
They seem great cameras but I do know nothing about the AF in these FF cameras.
My 7D does pull off a once in a while a cool shot but more occasionally than...the AF is great but the sensor is behind. In good light it still is a great camera though.
You get my point.
Thinking of getting a FF in the next three months or so.
Taking photos and live music is awesome!
Got this out of my 7D which is not that bad I guess (no NR in or out camera).
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Cheers Mike
Those are cool shots and thanks for the feedback.
I am a bit in an internal struggle to either put fast glass on the 7D or get a FF (6D Canon or A7 Sony).
They seem great cameras but I do know nothing about the AF in these FF cameras.
My 7D does pull off a once in a while a cool shot but more occasionally than...the AF is great but the sensor is behind. In good light it still is a great camera though.
You get my point.
Thinking of getting a FF in the next three months or so.
Taking photos and live music is awesome!
Got this out of my 7D which is not that bad I guess (no NR in or out camera).
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Cheers Mike
peter zuehlke
Active member
I used to have a 60D (mostly for video) which had a similar sensor to the 7d (mark I) and I much prefer the full frame. I'd go full frame and fast glass. I really like my Canon 35mm F/2.0 IS. The IS can help in those mosh pits ;-)
Limburger
Veteran Member
I doubt you've heard of David Bromberg, but he's a Bluegrass legend here in the states, well known to a small group of fans. I photographed him last May with my 7D and a 50mm f/1.4. As you can see, the results were so sharp that you can tell he wears trifocals. I also shot some video that evening which came out extremely well.
My answer to you is that I would prefer a 6D to just about any camera for concert photography. Instead, I upgraded to the 7D Mark II, although the shot below is from my 7D "classic." Getting up close helps so much. Concert lighting is always very uneven and there's no camera that can help when you have extremely bright lights next to complete darkness. As you can see, the stage behind him is completely black.
The 7D Mark II has so far been vastly better. It's able to focus in nearly total darkness, it's high ISO performance is vastly better, and its autofocus is lightning fast. But if concert photography was my main thing, I would most likely prefer the 6D, especially since it's lighter and cheaper. And I'd especially love to pair it with the 85mm f/1.2... since we can all dream.
David Bromberg, May 8, 2015
My answer to you is that I would prefer a 6D to just about any camera for concert photography. Instead, I upgraded to the 7D Mark II, although the shot below is from my 7D "classic." Getting up close helps so much. Concert lighting is always very uneven and there's no camera that can help when you have extremely bright lights next to complete darkness. As you can see, the stage behind him is completely black.
The 7D Mark II has so far been vastly better. It's able to focus in nearly total darkness, it's high ISO performance is vastly better, and its autofocus is lightning fast. But if concert photography was my main thing, I would most likely prefer the 6D, especially since it's lighter and cheaper. And I'd especially love to pair it with the 85mm f/1.2... since we can all dream.
David Bromberg, May 8, 2015
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That's a great shot with your 7D, but at 1/30s, you're going to get a lot of blurry shots. The thing about many concerts is that the shadows are really black, and don't need to be lifted in post, while the areas that are lit are lit quite well, so using a super-high ISO can work. I routinely use ISO 12800 with my 6D, and only see significant noise if I lift the shadows. Gritty noise works fine for photos of rock concerts, but might not be acceptable for other types of music, of course.
There are a few tricks for concert photography that can increase your keeper rate, no matter what camera you are using:
1. If you are shooting at a shutter speed too low to guarantee sharp pictures, shoot in burst mode (I find that slow burst mode works best.) I almost always get one picture per burst that is nicely in focus.
2. If the subject of your photo is moving around a lot, pre-focus and shoot a burst when he/she moves close to the focal plane.
3. I'll take a some shots that are completely out of focus, then layer them on top of other photos to mask out areas that are out of focus or look too busy because they are in focus. It's surprisingly effective. Below is an example of the technique with two blurry photos.
There are a few tricks for concert photography that can increase your keeper rate, no matter what camera you are using:
1. If you are shooting at a shutter speed too low to guarantee sharp pictures, shoot in burst mode (I find that slow burst mode works best.) I almost always get one picture per burst that is nicely in focus.
2. If the subject of your photo is moving around a lot, pre-focus and shoot a burst when he/she moves close to the focal plane.
3. I'll take a some shots that are completely out of focus, then layer them on top of other photos to mask out areas that are out of focus or look too busy because they are in focus. It's surprisingly effective. Below is an example of the technique with two blurry photos.
SirPalomid
Leading Member
6D is really good for concert photography. Maybe it's the only reason I still keep 6D for now (mainly shooting with mirrorless) - concerts.
Central AF point is very sensitive in bad lightning conditions, and pretty snappy. Only downside that it's only center point, so if you don't want to place your subject in the center of the frame, you must focus and recompose, that's not always an option with musicians moving fast on the stage (for ex. heavy metal band members).
Central AF point is very sensitive in bad lightning conditions, and pretty snappy. Only downside that it's only center point, so if you don't want to place your subject in the center of the frame, you must focus and recompose, that's not always an option with musicians moving fast on the stage (for ex. heavy metal band members).
Loose_Canon
Leading Member
The 6D is wonderful for concert shots. Exposure is tricky - i either use center point focus and exposure or dial down exposure compensation. The performers often have much brighter lighting than the background, so you have to experiment. and get CLOSE, if they let you 
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Limburger
Veteran Member
Sounds good to me.
The venue I've been shooting is relaxed, I even had stage access from a band that played there.
Was to meet the band backstage to introduce myself and explain my goals. So we had a smoke and a beer together, talked about photography, music , some BS and wrapped up the concert afterwards
Here is one from stage and one backstage. (thanks to Joy Division Undercover)
Here a shot currently used by the BeNeLux & Germany promotor/manager of the Mitch Laddie Band.
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Cheers Mike
The venue I've been shooting is relaxed, I even had stage access from a band that played there.
Was to meet the band backstage to introduce myself and explain my goals. So we had a smoke and a beer together, talked about photography, music , some BS and wrapped up the concert afterwards
Here is one from stage and one backstage. (thanks to Joy Division Undercover)
Here a shot currently used by the BeNeLux & Germany promotor/manager of the Mitch Laddie Band.
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Cheers Mike
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Limburger
Veteran Member
Thanks,
Kinda proud of that shot, one of my best so far.
#1 I did figure that also, but it works well when you know the music well. If there is a good band playing music you're unfamiliar with it is a lot tougher.
#2 Got back button focus but am a bit unexperienced with using it but it's a great idea.
#3 Never thought of that but I could do that with Elements.
Thanks for the tips.
Kinda proud of that shot, one of my best so far.
#1 I did figure that also, but it works well when you know the music well. If there is a good band playing music you're unfamiliar with it is a lot tougher.
#2 Got back button focus but am a bit unexperienced with using it but it's a great idea.
#3 Never thought of that but I could do that with Elements.
Thanks for the tips.
Limburger
Veteran Member
Thats a cool shot!
No not heard of David Bromberg but I checked him on youtube. Sounds very Robert Johnson influenced, nice.
In your shot you get some stage lighting from front. In the venue here it is all over the place, from good to terrible.
A shot during Mitch Laddie Band with probably the best light available. It was a stuggle this gig.
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Cheers Mike
No not heard of David Bromberg but I checked him on youtube. Sounds very Robert Johnson influenced, nice.
In your shot you get some stage lighting from front. In the venue here it is all over the place, from good to terrible.
A shot during Mitch Laddie Band with probably the best light available. It was a stuggle this gig.
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Cheers Mike
Hats can be a big problem when they cast a shadow across the face.
I think you have two problems. Firstly, if I'd photographed David the way you shot that photo, results would be similar. The lighting was uneven, so I got in close.
Second, you've got a big problem with that hat. It cuts a shadow right across his face. I've asked musicians to remove hats and sunglasses before, just for a song or two. If it's a small gig and they want photos, they'll do it. Photography Lesson One: If you act like a professional, they'll think you're a professional. If the act is somewhat local, once you send them a few photos, they'll remember you and help you get better photos. And you can let them know to wave you off if you intrude on their concentration, although I haven't had a musician do that.
If you want to know more about our friend David Bromberg, he was a student of the Reverend Gary Davis. David was a student at Columbia Univeristy in the 1960's, and he somehow befriended the elderly and blind Reverend Davis, and offered to help him in exchange for guitar lessons.
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Limburger
Veteran Member
Yes hats, mikestands all kinds of clutter...
peter zuehlke
Active member
Oh, no the hipster, singer songwriter hat. Outdoor sunlight gigs, the worst. Sometimes they will take them off for you.
SirPalomid
Leading Member
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