I sometimes receive consultations about equipment rentals.
The question is: "Can I go as a 'Cameco' (concert photographer) with this lens?"
First of all, I'm very happy to receive these consultations. It means someone looked at my photos and thought, "Maybe I should ask this person," so I'm genuinely pleased every time.
That said, I always hesitate a bit with the answer.
This is because the line for "being able to go" varies quite a bit from person to person.
Today, I'll try to write about that as honestly as possible.
I Recommend Renting for the First Step
The equipment used by people doing concert photography exists in a world where the sense of money is beyond common sense.
Commonly used camera bodies alone cost at least about 300,000 yen, and high-end ones can cost nearly 1 million yen. Lenses go even higher. The top-tier prime lenses, known as "Yon-ni-ppa" (400mm F2.8) or "Roku-yon" (600mm F4), are in the 2 million yen class for a single lens. I can't quite reach that far myself, but I use a Nikon 400mm F4.5 (commonly called 445), which still costs about 400,000 to 500,000 yen.
Nikon's most reasonable option, the 180-600mm, costs about 200,000 yen. The scary part is that you start feeling like "200,000 yen is super cheap."
In large venues like those for Ikonoijoy (=LOVE, ≠ME, ≒JOY), the reality is that this level of specs is required.
However, and because of that... I never recommend that beginners buy equipment from the start.
A course costing hundreds of thousands of yen right from the first time is simply too heavy.
Start with a rental. You can rent a body and lens set for 10,000 to 20,000 yen a day, or 30,000 yen at most. It's not cheap, but I think it's the most realistic option as a step to "see if you get hooked."
Equipment is a "Batting Average"
Now, here's the main point. If I were to sum up what equipment brings to photography in general, not just concert photography, I think it's "improving your batting average."
Anyone who has done concert photography even once will agree: no matter how experienced you are, if you take 1,000 photos, all 1,000 won't be usable. Some shots will be blurry, and as a Nikon user, there are moments when I think, "Don't miss the autofocus!" If you're shooting in bursts, there will naturally be half-closed eyes, and there are times when the timing of posing or lighting is difficult. Also, as the stage gets larger, there are scenes that are out of reach distance-wise. If you force a crop, the resolution won't be enough, and the photo won't be usable.
Good equipment helps here.
For example, equipment called high-resolution cameras (roughly 40 million pixels or more) has high cropping tolerance and the image is less likely to break down. Flagship models are less likely to miss focus, and the continuous shooting speed increases, which increases the number of good moments you can capture.
In other words, the "batting average" for producing a usable shot changes visibly.
Of course, even if you shoot with a 2 million yen class 400mm F2.8 or 600mm F4, it's normal to end up with photos that are completely unusable.
So, Can't You Shoot with Cheap Gear?
Conclusion: You can.
For example, combining a Nikon entry-level Z5II (full-frame, selling for about 220,000 yen) that I originally used with a rented 445 lens. You can take perfectly good photos with this. If asked, "Can't I shoot with an APS-C camera?", you can take good photos with APS-C when the conditions are right.
So, in terms of "can you go or not," you can.
However, many people who want to start concert photography see incredibly beautiful photos on SNS and start because they want to "be able to take photos like that" (I was the same, and I'm still full of the feeling of wanting to take good photos...).
The probability of a shot of that level appearing at your "first venue" with "modest equipment" is low.
So when asked "Can I go?", my honest impression is:
You can go, but depending on the level of photography you're aiming for, it might be difficult with that gear. But you probably have a budget limit, and you just want to try it out first, etc....
Things I'd Appreciate You Telling Me When Consulting
So, before asking "Can I go with this?", if you could organize which of the following three levels your purpose falls into, I can give a more specific answer!
What is your level of expectation?
- I want to experience concert photography for the first time. I'm not that concerned about quality, but I want gear that doesn't look out of place in the photography area.
- My budget is limited, but if I'm going to do it, I want to take the best photos possible. I want to know if this gear "works" to increase that batting average.
- I want to take photos at the same level as the incredibly sharp photos I saw on SNS.
The correct equipment for 1 and 3 is completely different. For 1, a rental in the several thousand yen range is enough to enjoy it. For 3, you'll need appropriate equipment. Rental prices vary greatly depending on the item, so just having your "budget" and "the photos you want to take" as a set will instantly improve the accuracy of the advice I can give.
▼ A recent question that was easy to answer
https://x.com/rink_cameco/status/2092081881265410301
Finally
Entering the camera seat costs about 10,000 yen for the ticket and about 10,000 yen for the rental, totaling at least 20,000 yen. Since it's 20,000 yen, I want you to enjoy it to the fullest with equipment that suits your purpose.
So, when consulting with me or anyone else, please try asking, "My budget is about this much, and I want to take these kinds of photos. Can I go with this gear?"
Consultations are always welcome.
