Best bag to bring to a concert?
 

Don't know if this is the right place to post this, but since they're touring and I'll be going to my first show soon, I wondered if you all knew some tips and tricks to smuggle a camera in a bag?

Here's my camera:

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/3402/3017921802.jpg

What I was thinking of doing was bringing a small enough bag that I could fit my camera in the bottom and have my wallet cover it. I don't know how tight the security is at the Allstate Arena :shrug: (maybe someone who's been there can share? I haven't been to a concert there in a long time!)

Or maybe some recommendations on different bags people have brought, experiences with security, that sort of thing?

Hi Check your PM.

But do we have to smuggle? Aren't most venues allowing cameras.

I will say that when I had my camera and I extended the zoom lens and it protruded, the band's security (not the venue's) told me to put it away. I think they thought it was a removable lens camera, which it was NOT.

Anyway, if you take the camera photographed, just be warned that they may hassle you if you zoom out the lens. But if you just point and shoot and it's kind of flat looking, I don't think they care. Even if they say they do beforehand, I bet no one will say anything to you.

But when I have smuggled, I kind of put the camera somewhere on my person, outside of my bag. Like I will stick it in the waistband of my slacks, where it will be covered by my jacket. Since they don't pat you down, they don't notice.

Michele

I would just bring it in a regular bag/ purse and then last minute stash it in my pocket. you could always wear a big sweater and take it off. They don't thoroughly check you, in my opinion.

I'm planning to put mine in my boot if need be. Or inside a pocket of my purse, I don't think they check the interior zippered pockets.

Well, my tickets do say "no cameras" so that's why I'm asking for tips. I have heard it's the band's policy, not the venue's, but I could be wrong about that.
And I am going to be 26 rows back and probably will be taking some video, so I don't think zooming the lens in and out will be a problem for security, but you never know.

Okay, that sounds like a better idea. I've been thinking about the sweater idea because I don't know if the pants thing will work since I'll be wearing jeans and I think the lens protrudes too much (even when it's closed) to allow for safe hiding.

It's just I'll be going in June and the idea of having a sweatshirt on is kinda weird. Maybe I could lie and say it's the air conditioning?

In this day in age, I don't see why bands even bother attempting to impose a "no cameras/photography" rule.

1. Everyone has a phone with camera capabilities far better than many stand-alone cameras.
2. Who cares? I get that they want to have some control over the rights to their likenesses (and the sales thereof), but it's not like they're even doing anything in that market anyway.

Yeah, that's a good one and when I used to wear a purse with a large outside pocket, they didn't check that either.

When I would have it on my body, I would be afraid it would go off if they wanded me, but it never did. I don't know why. I would think something on the camera is made of metal, but the camera never beeped.

Michele

I agree.One thing .I cant blame them about is the million flashes going off during the concert.God forbid if an artist slips and falls off the stage because getting blind with the camera flash.

I just can handle one or two photos on the holidays.

Most people dont know any better and how to turn the flash off and its useless because its not going to reach the stage.

Most go about 10 to 25 feet.


Just put a piece of black electrical tape over the flash bulb.


Yes bootleggers selling photos and vids and audio on Ebay is a good other reason.

Sorry, I didn't mean for this thread to start a debate over why bands/venues have the "no camera, audio, recording" rule. :o But to add my two cents, I still don't know why they prohibit them anyway, and on top of that getting kicked out of a concert you paid $200 to see for taking a recording/pictures or some venues not giving your camera back.

When I was doing my searching online, I would always come across the people saying, "But, you're violating a rule! You should be kicked out because of that!" And I'm sitting here like, "Yeah, but I would much rather try to sneak it in and take some photos and videos to remember it by and to me that's more important." I dropped a lot of money for my mom and I to go see them and I am sure as hell going to commemorate the moment.

I agree.This rule been out for ages.They just want to nip the boots getting out. Plus the million annoying flashes going off which in turn is a safety issue for the artists and bands.You dont want them to trip on the wires and fall off stage.

Security should focus.{No pun intended} on safety and the idiot drunks and other trouble makers that ruin the show for other fans and the artists.

Hahaha.I love that little grin.LOL...

yup!

he never stopped me yet. and i find filming when you are right in front of him doesn't get security on your case either.

I've definitely been looked at by artists (I only take photos, don't record) but as long as my flash is off, I've never had a problem.

I like how some of you are hiding it on your person, etc. I've always just put my camera in an inside zippered pocket in my purse. Haven't been caught yet.

However, if you really want Ms. Nicks to give you the stare of death take a picture with flash right in front of her. Back in 2003 I had a disposable that I brought and couldn't turn the flash off. Yeah, I still remember that look. Since then I've used all sorts of point & shoot digital cameras and always have the flash turned off. My last cameras have had the larger zooms on them for point & shoots, but no one said anything about that. I have been busted for filming, but only when I was farther away, oddly enough. The two FM shows I've been to this year I've been in the front and had no problem filming, and Lindsey certainly know you're doing it, but doesn't seem to care.

So, because you're 26 rows back, I expect you'll be hassled about filming rather than photos. Good luck!

Hahaha...that's great!: Linds knows!

That sucks!! You would think it's the other way around!:(

This is what I do. I have a little black crossbody bag that has a zippered compartment, & I put my black, Canon camera w/zoom in it. It fits right in there. That way if it is searched, no one even sees the zippered part; it's too dark to see in there especially with all the other junk I put in there. :D

Lee :)

Congrats, you have now told the band and security how it is done.

^^
I guess we have!:laugh:

Yep .The cat is out of the bag now.Meow .

This right here.

Being on the performer side of things, it DOES temporarily blind the performer after a flash...I've inadvertantly stepped off the front of a stage due to "flash blindness" (the stage only being a foot or less high, but still ended up with a cast on my sprained ankle & a $200 repair bill for the guitar I was playing when it crashed on the edge of the stage when the strap gave way.) and the height of the stages in venues Fleetwood Mac are playing can be pretty lethal if they happened to fall.

So, if you have full knowledge of the camera you're using and CAN defeat the flash function, give it a go. If you can't take a picture in a darkened room without your flash going off, then leave the damned thing in the car or at home.

Agreed, I would never flash the band... With the camera !! Use no flash or don't use it at all, people!! I'd feel soooo bad about temporarily blinding them.