hi, i just started gettin into B&W recently and have been using TMAX 400, in a couple weeks i will be attending a concert of a band in a smaller venue. To get best results ie. no blurs, good contrast, what speed should i use, by the way im using a nikon n90 with a 50mm 1.4f l

-- Mike Henry (addictd2ja@aol.com), November 03, 1999

Answers

Go to a higher speed film such as Fuji's Neopan 1600, T-Max 3200, or Ilford 3200'

I use Neopan 1600 a lot. I expose it at ISO 1000 and develop it for ISO 1600.

T-Max 3200 - shot and developed at ISO 1600 in T-Max developer, is very nice. As you shooter at higher ISO's, i.e. 3200, etc it becomes much grainier - which is not always a bad thing.

I have only used one roll of Ilford 3200 & did not particulary care for it. But a lot of people seem to like it - perhaps somebody will write in with their recommendations.

One thing you should try and avoid, and that is going into a new situation with a film with which you are not familiar.

Since you are already using T-Max 400, and I suppose have T-Max developer, I would go with the T-Max 3200 & perhaps shoot a few rolls at 1600 and a few at 3200.

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), November 03, 1999.

It depends on how much light is available. Your question suggests that you currently use T-Max 400 for concerts. If you really want to guarantee that there are no blurs, you might need to shoot at 1/250 or faster. Depending on the lighting at the other venue, ISO 400 may be fast enough. You will get an extra stop, or maybe two, by using one of the '3200' films (I reckon these films are realy about ISO 800). I photograph in a particularly dark venue, where I need all the speed I can get, and personally prefer the Ilford film.

-- Alan Gibson (Alan.Gibson@technologist.com), November 03, 1999.

I've shot concerts for over 20 years and stage spotlights are almost always shot with 1600 film at 1/250th at f2.8. For color prints use Fuji Pro 800 pushed one stop and for black and white use Kodak P3200.

-- Joe Cole (jcole@apha.com), November 03, 1999.

Here's my 2 cents worth on this. I've shot a lot theatrical productions and I guess the light must be about the same. I use HP-5 and shoot f4 @ 1/60. Yea, I use a tripod cause I don't have to deal with the same environment that a concert would have. I also use medium format, generally a Mamiya 645 with a 150mm lens.

-- chuck k (kleesattel@webtv.com), November 03, 1999.

I have shot many concerts. It is an art in and of its self. Dont expect all of the shots to be perfect. If you can get 1/2 of them to be good you are doing well. I usually use tmax pushed to 1600. I dont belive in using only one shutter speed. It depends on the atmosphere of the band. Depending on the depth of lighiing you may want to play with apature to adjust depth of field. This is somtimes already done for you by the lighting setup. DONT USE A FLASH. I cant tell you how many times I have seen professsionals come in and pop of a few with a strobe. They have a great print, but have completly negated the setting. Some of the best b&W band shots I have taken Have been undr the worst conditions. I have used a varity of cameras from a cannon ftb to a nikon f4 the only time a new camera with advanced metering is nice is somtimes when shooting color, although I trust my eye better. If youhave any more question let me know. I havent done much in the past three yers, but still remember alot. Onle last thing. Just because the negative looks unprintable, give it a try you may be suprised. I have number of excelet prints of chuck berry that I thought wold not print. After a litttl tlc they were excelent.

-- Matt Kuhl (mkuhl@socket.net), December 08, 1999.