DSLR vs. Point and shoot: issues with taking pictures at concerts?

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Question:

I've been reading reviews on point and shoot cameras for a couple hours, and I need some help!.

I go to concerts a few times a year!.
Just so you get an idea of what kind of concerts I'm talking about, the concerts are of bands like The Academy Is!.!.!., Escape The Fate, Alesana, Mayday Parade, and so on, at venues like the House of Blues, Jannus Landing, Ford Amphitheater, and tours like Warped Tour!.

Anyway, so the point of this question!.

I know you are not allowed to take cameras with detachable lenses into most of the venues bands play at!.
However, since I've been in my Photography class in school and are becomming more educated as far as what it takes to make a good picture, I would like something better than the typical point and shoot camera quality pictures!.

I own a Canon A470 at the moment, and it's great, as long as the sun is out!. However concerts in low lighting, which most tend to be, the quality is reduced significantly!.
Images are often blurry or grainy, especially when I have to up the ISO, and the effects of using the zoom (due to not being very close to the stage) are horrible!.

I would like a camera that is possibly under 500 bucks, that doesn't reduce picture quality in low-light, moving situations!.
I don't really care about how many megapixels a camera has!. I'm more concerned with the optical zoom, as against-the-stage positions at concerts are rare!.

Are any type of DSLR cameras that allowed into venues!?
Are there any DSLR cameras without detachable lenses!?
What DSLR cameras would you recommend for this kind of situation!?
What are your recommendations for point and shoot cameras as far as quality of pictures in various types of conditions!?

Any other info you are willing to provide is greatly appreciated!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

First I will answer these questions:

Are any type of DSLR cameras that allowed into venues!?
Not unless you have press credentials and a venue pass!.

Are there any DSLR cameras without detachable lenses!?
No, by definition a DSLR has interchangeable lenses!.

What DSLR cameras would you recommend for this kind of situation!?
I shoot concerts using both Nikon D3 and D300 bodies!. My favorite lenses for shooting concerts are the 24-70 mm f/2!.8 and 70-200 mm f/2!.8!. Starting out, you will find a Nikon D40 with 18-200 mm VR lens will do what you need to produce images of the quality you seem to want!.

What are your recommendations for point and shoot cameras as far as quality of pictures in various types of conditions!?

There are very few DSLR's that shoot really well in low light without objectionable noise, the problem is exacerbated when a P&S camera with a tiny sensor that is more than 15 times smaller than a typical DSLR camera!.

Now to a solution to your problem!.

First you will need to take a least one class in photography to get the rudiments of exposure, control and build some kind of camera system!. Then when you have the skills and tools:

* You need to get some kind of press credentials!. Try your local newspaper, alternative papers, even your local community college paper!.
* Start building a book of tear sheets from your published work
* When you have enough experience and a good relationship with your photo editor, ask them to assign you to a few concerts and try to get an "All Access" venue pass!.

Then with the experience, proof of your skills, and your passion for shooting concerts, approach your local promotors and ask for introductions to some of the "warm-up" bands managers and get special venue onstage passes to shoot them and then hang around to shoot the headliners!.

I will not assume to tell you how to shoot the concerts, because you will by the time you reach this level, your photographic skills and camera system will be just right to shoot concerts !.!.!. creatively and with passion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I would sneak in a film SLR with a 300mm lens in a trench coat if I were you!. 800 ASA film, maybe!. As for the interchangeable lenses, that's not exactly true what was said!. A single-lens reflex camera definitively has a mirror and prism box which allows you to see the composed image through the lens!. Yes, there are a few select models which have fixed lenses!. Such as the Fuji IS-1:
http://www!.fujifilmusa!.com/products/digi!.!.!.
Having said that, I don't believe they will accept it inside!. I don't think they care whether or not you can remove the lens; I think they care more whether you get good pictures from the event without paying money for them later in the form of prints or posters!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I won't be able to answer your question re: which camera is allowed and so on!.

But if you are going to get a dSLR, the kit lens is not going to be 'fast' enough!. You need something with a large aperture!. Something like this (so you can use it without flash)!.

Canon 135 mm f 2

http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/little_pook!.!.!.
http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/little_pook!.!.!.

if you can get close enough, Canon 50 mm f 1!.8
http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/little_pook!.!.!.

Canon 100 mm f 2
http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/little_pook!.!.!.

Canon 24-70 mm f 2!.8
http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/little_pook!.!.!.
http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/little_pook!.!.!.

and so on!.

Www@QuestionHome@Com