The Mob Goes Wild - Nikon D3

At crowded live music venues a photographer’s mobility can be quite limited and the stage lighting levels are low, (really low).  I’m not sure who has the more difficult task: low light sports shooters with their super-telephoto lenses or performance photographers with wider lenses but even lower light levels?  If only the stage lighting of a small venue could afford me an aperture of f/4, a shutter speed of 1/500sec and ISO 1600.
In May 2005 I purchased a new Nikon D2x. A day later I put the D2x through its paces as I watched Australian rockers Cog play the Coolangatta Hotel in Queensland.  I was there as a fan and thus was under no commercial pressure. I do find, however, that live music photography is the most challenging aspect ofmypaid work.
During a live music performance the periphery of the stage is usually in darkness. The gelled incandescent lights pulse with saturated colors, while the performers barely stand still as they move to the sound.  It’s both a horrible set of pho...