What camera features matter most for photographing live bands in low light?
Asked 8/3/2010
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I’m choosing a DSLR mainly for shooting live bands in dimly lit bars. Subjects can move quickly, especially drummers, and light levels are often poor. Which camera features should I prioritize for this kind of low-light concert photography, and are lenses just as important?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
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The most important body features are:
The max ISO levels (and the noise levels at high ISO)
Low light shooting is much easier at high ISO settings, but many lower end cameras have trouble with noise as you increase the iso. A good indication of the high ISO performance can be found at www.dxomark.com by looking at their "Sports (ISO)" rating for the camera.
The camera's low light AF performance.
Some cameras simply do not handle autofocus in low light as well as others.
The camera's continuous shooting fps.
To get the right shot, many use continuous shooting to take a series of shots with the idea that at least one in the series will be sharp.
Moving away from the body, also keep in mind that a fast lens (nifty fifty or similar) will help both the exposure and the camera's ability to auto focus. Also, In some situations you may want to use a flash. An off-camera flashgun is a good candidate to avoid the direct glare on the cymbals/guitars, but this is often not possible since it distracts from the show.
Originally by user67. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For this use, prioritize these features:
- strong high-ISO performance — this is usually the biggest factor. You’ll often need high ISO in dark venues, so look for a camera that keeps noise under control at higher settings.
- good low-light autofocus — some cameras focus much better than others in dim light, which matters for moving performers.
- decent continuous shooting speed — burst shooting can improve your odds of getting a sharp frame at the right moment.
Lenses are just as important as the camera body. Fast lenses with wide maximum apertures help both exposure and autofocus performance. A 50mm f/1.4 or similar fast prime is a common recommendation; if you’re farther from the stage, you may need a telephoto lens instead.
For drummers, you may not always want the fastest shutter speed: a moderate shutter speed can keep the player mostly sharp while still showing some motion blur in the sticks/hands for a more natural concert look. If flash is allowed and you use it, rear-curtain sync can work well.
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