concert photography with my d3000

[BCordeiroPhotography]

hello everyone i have a d3000 and a 50mm lens 1.8af-s lens i was wondering if anyone suggest a external flash and yes i can use a external flash but i was wondering if that lens will do the job and what kind of settings will i need to get great pictures of the singer

 

[jaomul]

Are you allowed flash the singer? The lens is a good low light lens but how close will you be?
If you are close and can flash the lens will be fine, obvious flash choices are the Nikon sb-800, but if on a budget ebay do yongnuo yn 465 ttl flashguns, I have one and its quite good

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

i was thinking about sb 700 also can you do this photography with a flash and i will be very close to the stage i got a photography pass so i can be as close as i want thank you so much for helping me out buddy i would like not to use a flash if its possible

 

[jaomul]

You might be better off with a fast telephoto lens. If you could possibly rent a 70-200 f2.8 and shoot with it at large aperture and say an ISO of 1600, depending on light. I think a flash might not work so good in this situation. If you can use a lower ISO your picture quality will be better but I would take a little noise over blurred shots anyday

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

i got a 55-200mm do you think that will work and i will not use a flash and just use a high ISO correct

 

[jaomul]

If you can bring both lenses and a flash do. I think that 55-200 is f4/f5.6. It may be a bit slow but if you can get a good shutter speed so your shots are not blurred at a respectable ISO so they are not to noisy. I know its not fully an answer but the limitations will only present themselves with the lighting of the venue. Its better to use flash than get no shot, but if its well lit flash may not even be necessary. I would say dont be to afraid of pushing up the ISO, the folowing were taken with ISO 6400 or 12800, no flash, they are not great but the noise doesn't take from them either in my opinion

Hugh Dillon Blues Band Kellys bar cobh 23rd sept 2012 (18) by jaomul, on Flickr


Cobh Blues experience Featuring Colin Woolway and Gavin O Donovan Ryans bar 23rd sept 2012 by jaomul, on Flickr

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

wow great pictures need to use these pictures that i am taking for a website so i need them super good and big

 

[12sndsgood]

If I was still using my D3000 and had to do concert photography and it was important to get a quality shot I would probalby rent a better camera. something with really good low light capabilities. the D3000 starts getting bad above ISO800 and even then it wasn't stellar.

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

what camera do you suggest if you dont mind me asking i was looking at D5100

 

[Mach0]

what camera do you suggest if you dont mind me asking i was looking at D5100

That would be much better. I had a d3000 before and 800 and above sucked. Fast glass or not.

 

[jaomul]

I wouldn't jump the gun on buying a new camera. Check out the flickr d3000 groups, there are many good concert shots taken with this camera in poor light. Just practice on how to get the best out of it.

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

i have looked at ton of flickr pictures and they all look great i dont know if i should spend more money on a new camera and just give this gig a shot and see where it takes me if i dont like it then next gig i will get a better camera

 

[jaomul]

i have looked at ton of flickr pictures and they all look great i dont know if i should spend more money on a new camera and just give this gig a shot and see where it takes me if i dont like it then next gig i will get a better camera

If this is your first go use it as a learning experience. You will improve as you go. Maybe you need a new camera and maybe not. If I were(and this is only my angle) you i would use flash as little as possible, try to expose to the right without blowing highlights and shoot raw giving you headroom to tweak exposure and deal with noise as you feel appropriate. I would try learn to get these right before blowing money on a camera. Let us know how you get on and post some examples

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

i will i also got a flickr i will post the pictures on there Flickr: BCPhotography401

 

[BCordeiroPhotography]

Hey everyone Pictures came out a mess i am def going for a D5100