I want to take pictures at an upcoming concert. What settings will give the best results in the lighting?

We bought this camera and the 80-400 lens. I have been using the auto feature until I can learn more about all of the settings. What will give me clear and focused pictures at the concert?

First thing you want to do is make sure you can legally take pictures at the concert. Last thing you want is for your Rebel being confiscated and you being accused of making illegal concert recordings. These days the RIAA is simply nuts about stuff like this.

But there are usually rules of thumb you can count on:

* No flash photography
* First 3 songs only
* What the security guys say is Gospel

Now, onto the technical issues. With that large of a focal length, camera shake will certainly be an issue if your seats are in the nose bleeds. You may need to bring along a monopod to steady yourself. I recommend a small one like the quickpod. If you get past security with it, you're golden for using it to steady your shots at the 400mm range.

Now, how to take them. There's several good posts from experienced hands that you can learn from here and here.

But in the end, the challenge is quite formidable. You'll end up with alot of underexposed shots or shots that are flat our blurry due to both lighting conditions and having to go handheld with long shutter times.

Unfortunately, the basic rule of thumb is to use a shutter speed equal to or greater than the focal length of your lens. In other words, if shooting at 400mm, a 1/500 of a second shutter speed is where you should be. And you won't get very good shots that way. You may be able to get with 1/250 or even 1/60th on a really bright set, but chances aren't good unless you're really close to the stage.

Best bet, try and shoot shots timed with bright lights hitting the stage to take advantage of it. But even with a large ISO setting, you've got your challenges here. Even if you can get your camera inside the venue.