Photographing show at House of Blues without flash

[pokerplayer269]

'Allo! This upcoming Sunday I'm seeing one of my favorite musical artists Matt & Kim) at the House of Blues in Boston. No cameras are allowed but I'm hoping to sneak my Zorki 4 in to take some photos. Obviously, I won't be able to use a flash so I'll be shooting Fuji Superia 1600. Unfortunately, my old selenium light meter is pretty much non-functioning so any reading I got from it at the show would probably be completely off. Does anybody here know what the lighting is like at the House of Blues? What kind of shutter speed(s) should I be using? As I said earlier, the film is ISO 1600 and the lens' max. aperture is f/2. Would 1/125 be suitable? I suppose I have some room for error as it's print film, but I'd like to get it as accurate as I can. Thanks.

 

[eddym]

Ya know, if they say No cameras allowed, they might just mean it.

 

[removed account4]

hi

harvard square?
good luck with that ..
they aren't too keen with happy snappies ..
but i guess everyone and their cousin may be using
a numeric phone so who knows ...

i have a black cat exposure guide
that i got years ago as a gift ... they work great!
it says you should shoot f2, and 1/15thS for a dim night club.

i took photographs at an ice-show around new years
and shot wide open ( 1.8 ) at 1/15thS with asa 1600 film
and it was pretty much on the money.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

and something on the ice is below ...

 

[ntenny]

Considering how over-the-top I've seen security be at some club gigs, I wouldn't risk a camera I cared about by taking it to one. Security may let you get away with it; if not, they may just take the film; on the other hand, they may break the camera (or you) to make sure their point is absolutely clear.

But assuming you take it anyway, my experience is about the same as what others have mentioned. I've shot lit stages at f/4, 1/15, 3200 ASA, and wished I had one more stop.

-NT

 

[Chan Tran]

This is an analog forum but I think a digital camera would be a better choice because you can test exposure, and the camera is disposable in case you get caught.

 

[mabman]

I was at the HoB in Las Vegas a couple of years ago (saw George Thoroughgood and the Destroyers - great show, BTW).

A couple of things:

- at the LV location they had many security guards with wands checking everyone before they came in, and they were checking jacket pockets and purses. A Zorki 4 is very metallic, I doubt you could get by with one.

- despite the no-camera rule, people tried to take cell phone pics. Inside they were more security guards, who seemed to be watching for this. If they saw someone trying, they would shine a flashlight on their camera, and when they looked up they were given a stern look. I think the guards approached a couple of persistent offenders to scold them, but I don't think anyone was ejected for that specifically.

I wouldn't risk it, personally. The only mostly-plastic film cameras that I'm aware of are fixed lens and/or no-focus - even with a high-speed film I doubt you'll get in close enough.

I'm not familiar with Matt & Kim, but if they're still small enough, why not ask their management if you can take pics "officially", and get an official pass for the event/venue? Then you wouldn't have to worry about getting caught.