FinePix F30 - concert photography?

[BlueLight]

So, I've been seriously considering buying the FinePix F30 and was wondering if anyone had any experience with this camera in a concert setting (low light, fast moving people, unstable shooting position - the crowds can be pretty rough!).

With all of the reviews of the FinePix F30, it seems to be perfect for what I'm looking for, but, just to make sure (before I spend $400!), does anyone have any examples or first-hand experience?

I'm also worried that with the ISO at 3200 the pictures will come out horribly grainy...

any help would be much appreciated!

and any description of the video that it can record (sound and video quality?) would be helpful as well

thanks!

[MindBender]

The review on this site has examples of many types of photography with the F30... including video.

I haven't tried in concert situations... the main problem you'll have will be with the AF trying to lock onto things. The 3200 ISO setting isn't great for large prints... but more than sufficient for getting and okay picture. For a lot of the pictures I take with my F30, I'm just emailing a 1280px image to a friend or whatever... so I can easily shoot in 3200 ISO... scale down to 1280px and it looks fine. I wish you could lock the focus as certain distances (semi-manual controls) like some P&S can do... but it's all AF with this one. I've managed to get some shots by pre-planning. AF on something nearby that is lighted or standing still... then hold the trigger at ready... when the subject comes into view complete the shot. Was able to get some running animals and such this way where I didn't have to AF on the subject (which I couldn't see or predict exactly).

Short version is ... you probably aren't going to find another camera that can shoot as well as the F30 in low light and be this small and portable. Takes some practice... but that's true of any camera.

Good luck.

$0.02

[BlueLight]

Thanks for the input/AF help

Yes, looks to me like this is the best camera I'll be able to find for what I need...

Thanks again