Pre-setting for firework pics

[superlightr]

For a D70s What settings would the Pistonhead Massive use for fireworks at night?

Just an idea for the general direction to go in with the various settings and using a tripod?

Hopefully off on 5th nov and as im a novice with the D70s need some pointers to help my chance of getting some pics within the short space of time when they go off.

Thanks
James

[_dobbo_]

I have every intention of getting out with the tripod on saturday night and experimenting, Set it to Shutter priority and the play with everything from very fast, right up to 30 seconds.

[superlightr]

Would you bother with the night function on the dial?

clearly its trial and error but I will ahve about 10 mins on a wet and windy dark night!

[Bee_Jay]

Not for D70, but 20D - hey, they're both cameras!!!.

I got some great results shooting at ISO3200 to go for short exposures for a job I did covering the Trafalgar 200 celebrations in Portsmouth earlier this year.

Ended up with shuteer times of 1/20-1/30 with some cool results.

Should be better over the weekend as there will be some wind to blow away the smoke, which can be a blessing and a curse...





>> Edited by Bee_Jay on Thursday 3rd November 10:56

[406tm]

No3 would make a great poster

[Bee_Jay]

406tm said:

No3 would make a great poster

It did (that was the job!) after cloning out some of the ironware at the bottom...

[shadytree]

I was just going to suggest that

Take out the small distractions and you have a fantastic pic Bee_Jay

[Methanol]

Superlightr,

Set to100 ISO and the settings in the camera to maximum contrast, to try and imitate the properties of something like Fuji Velvia 50 film. This will get rid of most of the smoke. Set the shutter speed to bulb and use a cable release.

Now comes the funny part hold a black piece of card in front of the lens, as close as you can without touching it. When the firework is on it's way up open the shutter, when you see firework explode remove the back piece of card from the lens for about 2 - 3 seconds then cover the lens with the card again; DO NOT RELEASE THE SHUTTER, you aren't done yet. Wait for the next set of fireworks and remove the black card again. You could repeat this probably no more than one more time; now you can release the shutter.

Be careful not to knock the lens when covering and uncovering it.

If you have a background you want correctly exposed, expose for that first bearing in mind you are going to be exposing for the fireworks at approx. 6 - 9 seconds. So try to aim for that exposure time.

Happy shooting.

Methanol.