After reading this whole thread from the beginning, I cannot but wonder, how digital cameras can become an issue. Here in Europe you can take one with you in most gigs, concerts and big festivals without any trouble and shoot as much pics as you want. There are concerts where no cameras, whatsoever are allowed in, but for a reason, like when the band is filming the concert themselves and don't want flashes spoiling it.
All they usually care at doors and gates are camcorders and recording devices like minidisks, and the security has no problems, not even at big festivals with tens of thoudsands of people, in dealing with persons who try to get those in. (Every place has a deposit for customers' belongings at the door.) Then again, pro class SLRs are allowed only with a photopass. Some old tradition, I guess?
Usually it is not bands but their record labels, especially the American labels, who are so concerned about bootlegs. Some venues here do have their own restrictions for photoshoot undepending on the band's will.
Yet, I have to wonder, where is the market for crappy bootlegs shot with a digital still camera. The statement about bands loosing money because of bootlegs is all BS. You can get those clips free on the web, so there's not a single moron left willing to pay someone for s*it quality. Not here, I can tell you. European bands and most labels here seem to know it. Even American bands are happy to play in Europe in front of hundreds of digicams, but then deny their fans from shooting pics at their domestic gigs.
If you think about it, there is no way you can make a decent sound recording with an average still camera with mono sound, even if capable of unlimited video recording. (none under $500 have unlimited video or stereo) I have a higher class digital camera with 12x (48x) zoom and inbuilt stereo mics but no jack for external mics, which makes it quite worthless for serious sound recording and thus for bootlegging. I have had it with me at gigs, festivals and concerts from Iron Maiden to local bands and it never was questioned when I shot pics.
So, a serious question: Who is behind making an issue about bootlegging with digital still cameras at concerts and why? Not the bands, they know it better.
