Shooting in Crowds? At riots?

[Marko]

.....

There came a point when I realized that I didn't care if the camera was damaged, I wanted the shots.

I've wrecked a camera or two with this attitude...and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The card/film inside the camera is usually the most valued part.

[AcadieLibre]

Oh sorry I did not realize it was yesterday. I was out all day so would not have made a difference to help. So did you get any good shots? A 50mm if your inside the action as you found out is not a good lens for that type of shooting your literally face to face often and things move so fast. If I had to use a prime you are right with a 28mm, I have a 30mm and from what I recall is close to what I would have used or close to it, it has been years so I am doing this from memory, that appears it would be the right focal length. A primes biggest advantage is the compact size of them. A 4/3rds Camera would be ideal for those conditions or a range finder.

To do the G8 or G20, why the 24 - 70 is a good lens, its the 24mm you use most of the time anyway. When I was doing it I shot all primes back then because zooms are not what they are today, back then zooms were OK at best. Not done any shooting like that for a while, and yes if you get into the middle you might as well assume you run the risk of your equipment getting damaged. I hope you had fun though, sometimes being confused makes it even more fun lol ... Any more protests to cover?

[Kawarthabob]

You have bigger stones than I. From my misspent youth I used to do stuff like that but never a camera with me. You run the risk of reprisal by both the protesters and the cops. And remember that if arrested , ignorance is no excuse for a defense in court. TRUST ME.

[kurtdriver]

Any more protests to cover?

Yeah, but I don't know how to find them. The one yesterday has been described as a "flash mob" that was organized on facebook. So I missed the mini riot yesterday. I'll be searching facebook daily.