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Photo Forum / General Photo Topics / General Topics / February 2008Need comnpact camera to take good crsip stage shots
Hi, I'm looking for a good small pocket camera, (not the SLR style)which will take good crisp reasonably hi resolution stage shots of shows. Naturally good portrait shots as well. Another concern is battery charging (I like the usb + power idea) good size storage card to hold a few hi res shots) I am in Sydney Australia so will buy here or going to Singapore,Europe,US soon so maybe buy there if much cheaper than Sydney. Thanks for the help rock > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > rock I like the Canon 'A' series of point-and-shoots. Almost any of the various models fit your requirements, with the exception of the A460 -- stay away from that one. My favorite is the Powershot A720 IS. It has a 6X image stabilized optical zoom that results in a 35 to 210mm equivalent telephoto, with the added boost of a 4X digital zoom that yields quite good results in certain circumstances. Counting the digital zoom you have a whopping 35 - to 840 telephoto zoom with f-stops of 2.8 to 4.8 -- quite respectable. Also, you get full manual control in addition to a large number of automatic and scene modes. The VGA video modes work well also. ISO settings run from 80 to 1600, and noise is quite acceptable up to the 800 range for up to medium sized enlargements (up to ISO 400 for larger prints). Even smaller prints at ISO 1600 are not bad. The LCD gains up for low light situations, which would probably be important for stage shots. The ccd sensor is of high quality and 8Megs in size. It does a good job of rendering colours naturally, and it's auto colour balance works flawlessly. And, just in case you encounter a scenario where the lights are so weird the cameras processor can't figure it out, you can set a custom white balance to ensure accurate colour reproduction. As for storage, SD cards of up to 4Gigs work, so you can get over 1000 shots at large size (roughly 3500 X 2400) with lower compression ratios (super-fine detail setting). Given that I am legally blind, with only about 2% vision, and I'm able to produce some respectable shots in low light conditions, I think that that says something about the versatility of this camera. Good Luck, Dudley >> Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > Good Luck, > Dudley Wow Dudley. Thank you for that. It has helped me a lot and I will go an take a look at the Powershot A720 IS which sounds good, and other similar models. Have a great day. rock >> Hi, >> [quoted text clipped - 49 lines] > Good Luck, > Dudley Hi again Dudley, Well I have looked at some Canon and came up with these three. Have any thoughts on the 'best' amongst these? I did not mention this before but for what I need it for, but one that will do fast shots of a movement would be beneficial as some of the best shots are done when stopping movement. Canon PowerShot A720 IS Canon PowerShot SD950 IS Canon PowerShot S5 IS Thanks Rock >>> Hi, >>> [quoted text clipped - 67 lines] > > Rock Are you going to be shooting during actual performances? Or, mainly in rehersals? I ask this because I'm wondering whether you will be doing mainly existing light, or whether flash-fill will be used. Also, how far away will you be? Ie. on stage? Front rows? Backstage? Rear of auditorium? Balconies? Other factors to consider: Are you going to be printing large prints? Just for web? Will the prints be reproduced lithographically? For instance, will they be used in a program? Will they be retouched? (Photoshopped or hand painted) Do you want to shoot video clips in addition to stills? Do you want to carry it in a shirt / jacket pocket, or will it be kept in a bag? Are you comfortable shooting from the LCD, or do you want an accurate optical finder? When you say you need one that is good at stopping fast movement, do you mean you want one that will shoot a series of shots continuously, or do you mean you simply want a fast shutter speed to freeze action in stage light conditions? Some of these conciderations might not seem to important, but I used to shoot a lot of concerts, and climbing around all the cables and stacks back stage and in the wings often had me cursing at the large bag of stuff I initially toted around. Take Care, Dudley >>>> Hi, >>>> [quoted text clipped - 96 lines] > Take Care, > Dudley Firstly I know what you mean about the cables and stuff!! I guess the main concern and the shots we will use would mainly be the actual show. The lighting is virtually always excellent with floods or follow spot etc. I will go thru the Q's below.. Mainly reasonably close to the stage, not at the back of the hall or along way away. Prints used will need to be preferably res 600 although minimum res 300 for the print places we use such as a program, fliers,posters. Retouched only if they have to be. Don't care about video as we have a 3CCD Panasonic GS400 which does us fine. Series of shots to freeze a movement on stage. Zapzapzap stuff! LCD is fine as long as it can be seen. Hopefully small enough in a pocket even it it bulges. Not a regular size SLR for example but maybe a small one they have these days. Thanks.. rock >> Are you going to be shooting during actual performances? Or, mainly in >> rehersals? [quoted text clipped - 56 lines] > > rock Greetings Rock, My first reaction is to stick with recommending the A720 for the following reasons: The SD950 has 12 megapixels, so it's a bit slow. Continuous shooting will not be very good for those sequences you want (although, the A720 is only marginally better). The only way to get something like 3 frames per second is to go to a DSLR. Also, this camera doesn't give you any manual control, so you're stuck with whatever the programmed scene modes give you. The plus is that it will fit in your pocket better than the other two, and the prints should be good as long as you avoid the top ISO speed. As for the S5, it's the best of the thre, for most purposes, but I think it will be a bit bulky for your intentions. It would be better to lug it around in a bag than in a pocket. However, it's going to give you the most versatility. It definitely has the best lens, and it will give you slightly better action stopping ability or depth of field in most situations. As mentioned above, the A720 gets the initial thumbs up because I think it will be the best match to what you want. But, if you like, I can check into the other two more thoroughly, if you've got the time. Take Care, Dudley >>> Are you going to be shooting during actual performances? Or, mainly in >>> rehersals? [quoted text clipped - 84 lines] > Take Care, > Dudley Thank you again, I would appreciate it if you did check into those other 2, as I'd hate to go for one when i really could have gotten a better one. You know what I mean? I will go and look at the S5 in a shop if I can today to see if it really would be a pain to carry. I know i';m used to an old Mamiya Sekor SLR I love and lugged around since new in 168, and it is still a great camera, but film. The video cam is a pain as well so anything smaller would be a bonus, even if it was not small pocket size. It is more if you have the time, not I, so please only do what you can with ease. I appreciate it. Regards, roc >> My first reaction is to stick with recommending the A720 for the >> following reasons: [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > > roc Hey, Rock, no problem. I should qualify my above recommendations based on your statement that you have lugged an older SLR around. The S5 is probably a fair bit smaller than your old SLR, so if you wouldn't mind lugging that one around, the S5 should be easier. It's just that it won't fit into a pocket. And, it's getting close to the Digital Rebel sans big telephoto lens. I really like the lens on the S5. It's a bit more than double the zoom of the A720, and it's got a bit better aperture. It's also got more lens elements arranged in more groups, so image quality is excellent. In either case, you will probably like the face detect mode which will almost ensure that you don't end up focusing on an overhead mike, footlight, etc. I think you will definitely find the S5 a faster camera to use, with nearly 2 shots per second if the LCD is turned off and you are framing shots through the optical viewfinder. I think that is closer to what you want, but the Digital Rebel will do 3 per second and isn't that much bulkier (providing you don't have some huge telephoto lens mounted). The thing I like about the S5 the most is that you can attach an external flash to its hotshoe, which isn't a big deal during a performance, but you mentioned earlier that you also wanted to use it for portraits. This camera can use some pretty high-powered ETTL flashes -- either mounted to the shoe or cabled as remotes. This camera is really a mini version of many DSLR's. I would have loved to shoot concerts with it back when I was lugging two SLR's with different lens and film combos during a concerrt. As for image quality, any of the cameras will produce something you will like, and which should provide professional quality appearance. I'll check out the S5 a bit more carefully tomorrow when my dealer is open, but, if you don't mind the extra bulk (it's nearly double the size of the A720) the S5 could be the better choice. Take Care, Dudley > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > rock You might also want to check copyright laws since it is illegal to photgraph many stage performances. > > Hi, > > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > You might also want to check copyright laws since it is illegal to > photgraph many stage performances. There may be some kind of rule, permission, guideline etc. but there shouldn't be no LAW to be illegal. Example - Rule or Guideline - no flash to some sport which may cause problem to players (like baseball, tennis etc.), fighters (like martial arts) - Permission - no running around during performance, no professional equipment. Other than that there should be no law to be illegal. Or it depends on the one who runs the show, not by LAW. >> > Hi, >> > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Other than that there should be no law to be illegal. Or it depends on > the one who runs the show, not by LAW. All right - I guess we have a matter of semantics. For example, a publishing house can legally prohibit photos during presentation of any plays for which they provide performance contracts. > >> > Hi, > >> > [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > publishing house can legally prohibit photos during presentation of any > plays for which they provide performance contracts. That is possible, just like I can prohibit people not just to photograph inside my house but to step inside my house. But that is privacy not law. >> >> > Hi, >> >> > [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > That is possible, just like I can prohibit people not just to photograph > inside my house but to step inside my house. But that is privacy not law. Ah, but Joel, it IS law. If somebody goes into your house without your permission, they could be charged with illegal entry, break and entry, forced entry, trespassing, etc. The actual charge depends on the circumstances, but the idea is the same. In order to protect your privacy, we have laws that make it illegal for anybody to enter your home without your permission. Take Care, Dudley >> >> > Hi, >> >> > [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > That is possible, just like I can prohibit people not just to photograph > inside my house but to step inside my house. But that is privacy not law. ------------------------------- Enforcement of the copyright LAW will prevent you from displaying photos in anyway deemed inappropriate by the venue. That does not mean only in cases of selling the photos for a profit. If they don't want the photos displayed, and you don't have signed release forms, you are in violation of LAW. As for the taking of the photos in the first place, I believe (but could be wrong) that it is also a violation of LAW if the prohibition of photography is clearly stated (at least, it is in the U.S.). Also, there are plenty of privacy laws -- the two are not mutually exclusive. >> >> > Hi, >> >> > [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > That is possible, just like I can prohibit people not just to photograph > inside my house but to step inside my house. But that is privacy not law. I don't know what country you are from, but in the US any performance has an automatic copyright, usually belonging to the producer. Although at some performances you are permitted to take a photo, you may not use the image for most commercial purposes without permission of the holder of the copyright. For the very same reason you may not take a picture of me and use it for commercial purposes without my permission. However, if I was a "public figure" and the image was to be used for newsworthy purposes, the rule might be slightly different. I would prefer not to get into a complex explanation of copyright law however, the rule of thumb as sketched above is a practical rule to follow. As for your privacy statement, there is no Constitutional right to privacy. Privacy rights, to the extent they exist, are judicial rules that can vary in different jurisdictions.  SignaturePeter <snip> > > That is possible, just like I can prohibit people not just to photograph > > inside my house but to step inside my house. But that is privacy not law. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Constitutional right to privacy. Privacy rights, to the extent they exist, > are judicial rules that can vary in different jurisdictions. It sounds like your US is differtent than our US <bg> and whatever you say above has nothing to do with what I said. >I don't know what country you are from, but in the US any performance >has an automatic copyright, usually belonging to the producer. Although >at some performances you are permitted to take a photo, you may not use >the image for most commercial purposes without permission of the holder >of the copyright. This is generally correct where the performance is in private. IE a football stadium where you buy tickets to get in or generally if the performance is on private property. In some places this includes ground owned by the town council... ie the "public land" might count as private for this purpose. For street performers generally I don't think the rules apply as they are "in public". >For the very same reason you may not take a picture of me and use it >for commercial purposes without my permission. That is debatable. Taking pictures of crowds or street scenes where you are not the primary subject is OK in some countries but not in others. Taking pictures of crowds can get you in trouble anyway some times. > However, if I was a "public figure" and the image was to be used for >newsworthy purposes, the rule might be slightly different. Again it depends... some countries have laws that say for example the head of state, singers, film stars etc can be photographed on "official duties" but not when "off duty". The rules are changing in many areas due to the paparazzi. > I would prefer not to get into a complex explanation of copyright law Absolutely as the rules vary, some times fundamentally and some times very subtly between countries and within a country over time > however, the rule of thumb as sketched above is a practical rule to >follow. The best option is to ask the local press assn or photographic club etc. they usually know what is required for your location >As for your privacy statement, there is no Constitutional right to >privacy. Yes there is in some countries... > Privacy rights, to the extent they exist, are judicial rules that can >vary in different jurisdictions. Precisely. Signature\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills Staffs England /\/\/\/\/ /\/\/ chris@phaedsys.org www.phaedsys.org \/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ > All right - I guess we have a matter of semantics. For example, a > publishing house can legally prohibit photos during presentation of any > plays for which they provide performance contracts. Not quite. They can put a clause in the contract. But if you break that clause they can't phone the cops and have you run in for not keeping to your contract, all they can do is drag you through the courts at great expense to both them and you. SignatureWilliam Black I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach Time for tea. >> All right - I guess we have a matter of semantics. For example, a >> publishing house can legally prohibit photos during presentation of any [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > for not keeping to your contract, all they can do is drag you through the > courts at great expense to both them and you. Wow that's some discussion.. We only need to photograph and video our own shows so none of the above applies to us although we do have those considerations to anyone else. Many live shows will allow still photographs but no video. It is all getting too hard to police it because of the small phone camera. Not a perfect world I'm afraid. > Wow that's some discussion.. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > getting too hard to police it because of the small phone camera. Not a > perfect world I'm afraid. So, have you had a chance to look at the 'A' series cameras yet? If so, what did you think. Also, if you want something similar to the 'A' series but smaller, the Canon ELF series is very pocketable, and quite comprable to the bigger point-and-shoots. Good Luck, Dudley >> Wow that's some discussion.. >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Good Luck, > Dudley No unfortunately Dudley I have been snowed under at work and hardly had time to breathe. I had a quick look at one website review but hopefully in the next few days will get a better look. I don't really need it for about 3 weeks anyway. I appreciate all you guys, gals for the help and your time. I will get back once I get to decide what I'll get, or with more q's.. I'll take a look at the ELF series as well. Someone sent me an email about a Samsung NV15 10.1 pixel as it was on a Special price, but after a quick look, I think I can do better. Thanks rock > Wow that's some discussion.. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > getting too hard to police it because of the small phone camera. Not a > perfect world I'm afraid. For your own shows you may be so busy that you will not have the time to take proper photographs of the performances. You may very well be able to find a photographer, who would be willing to take your shots for no charge because he/she would like to build a portfolio. SignaturePeter >> Wow that's some discussion.. >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >able to find a photographer, who would be willing to take your shots >for no charge because he/she would like to build a portfolio. That's a damned good idea. Offer free tickets (& back stage passes) to photographer and partner + couple of friends. The photographer is going to be working and not able to look after partner. You get photos from some one who is focused on taking the pictures. BTW don't get a big fan as they will concentrate on the show rather than the photos :-) They get to add to the portfolio. Everyone wins. You might even get some new fans :-) Signature\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills Staffs England /\/\/\/\/ /\/\/ chris@phaedsys.org www.phaedsys.org \/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ >> All right - I guess we have a matter of semantics. For example, a >> publishing house can legally prohibit photos during presentation of any [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > for not keeping to your contract, all they can do is drag you through the > courts at great expense to both them and you. They also have the right to eject you from the performance. If you refuse to leave they have a right to ask the police for assistance. SignaturePeter >>> All right - I guess we have a matter of semantics. For example, a >>> publishing house can legally prohibit photos during presentation of any [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > They also have the right to eject you from the performance. If you refuse > to leave they have a right to ask the police for assistance. No, the people who rent you the right to perform can't do that. They have no free access to your premises. You can... However... Calling the police for assistance may not be that popular with the police, on, for example, a Saturday night in Macclesfield... "Hello, police?" "Yes sir" "There's a man taking photographs in our theatre" "So" "We want to throw him out but he won't leave" "So" "We require police assistance to eject him" "Look sir, we've a fight at the 'Grob and Ducket', one of our officers has been glassed at the 'Owl and Weasel' , the Muslim community is about to riot because MI-5 caught a local kid with a copy of the Anarchist's Cookbook and sent him to jail for a decade and the Chief Constable is inspecting the station tomorrow." "But this is the law officer" "Look sonny, if you don't get off the line I'm going to come around there myself, probably a week next Tuesday the way things are tonight, and arrest you myself for wasting police time. Now piss off and let me stop all these mad buggers from burning down my police station." SignatureWilliam Black I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach Time for tea. >>>> All right - I guess we have a matter of semantics. For example, a >>>> publishing house can legally prohibit photos during presentation of any [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] >you myself for wasting police time. Now piss off and let me stop all these >mad buggers from burning down my police station." Shirely not... not in the UK :-) Last time I had to do 999 for a situation of a small gang smashing up property didn't get any response at all! To the case at hand:- Usually the venue has security staff, or you have to rent your own. In reality the police tend to overlook the use of reasonable force by registered security staff to eject trouble makers. This is because it saves them a lot more trouble in the long run The problem is that the modern mobile phone has 2-6MP camera/video however the phones are not set up to take photos in that sort of situation and the punters are not exactly skilled photographers. If you look at the size of the lens and the sort of stuff that turns up on uTube. You don't have much to worry about other than free advertising. PS it's your own fault if you go in the Grob and Duket on a Saturday night. That's just asking for trouble. Signature\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \/\/\/\/\ Chris Hills Staffs England /\/\/\/\/ /\/\/ chris@phaedsys.org www.phaedsys.org \/\/\ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ |
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