Wishes camera settings

[Lancer]

I've seen a lot of nice photos of Wishes on these boards and have read many good tips for camera settings as well. I plan on putting these to use come February. I will be using a Canon 20D with tripod and remote shutter release.

First, is it worth turning on the "long exposure noise reduction"? I am talking 3- 11 sec exposures. I do realize that there will be a delay before it is ready for the next shot but are there any other pros or cons to having it on. Second, do most set the shutter speed for fireworks or is better to use the remote with the "bulb" setting to make sure you get it all?

Any help woud be greatly appreciated.

Lancer

[handicap18]

If you use the long exposure noise reduction you wont be able to get as many shots. It takes way to much time between shots to process the noise reduction. If you use ISO 200 you'll be good to go. Over the past July 4th I took some shots of the local fireworks show and forgot I had the noise reduction on and it was a good 5-8 seconds after each shot before I could take another one.

In the past I've use anywhere from 2-10 seconds for shutter speeds. I haven't used Bulb setting, but was thinking about experimenting with it at the next fireworks show I go to (might not be till July 4th though). You will have to pay closer attention to the camera and do your own counting. It might take away from the actual show, but everyone is different. Either with or without using Bulb I still use a remote shutter. No sence in taking a chance of camera shake by pressing the shutter when a remote will do just as well and you don't have to touch the camera.

[graeme1299]

Took some good shots during wishes and later of the 4th. F3.5/1.5" shutter/ISO 200. Tripod and timer or remote a must.

[tinksdad]

Here's a good decription of the process that might help! (http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-fireworks/)

[DVC Jen]

Here's a good decription of the process that might help! (http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-fireworks/)

thanks for the link. I save it and will go back later when I have more time and read it. :)

[DizneyNutz]

It seems like the concensus leans towards a noise reduction software rather than the in camera adjustment. As mentioned by the OP you lose a lot of shots waiting for the picture to be processed in camera and it doesn't come close to the quality of photo when using a noise reduction software, ie: Noise Ninja, etc.

[Lancer]

Thanks for the tips and info sofar! I still have a month, so keep them coming!

Lancer

[Terk-1]

I found using a tripod was a must and got some really great shots. It really helped to keep the camera steady and focused. On one night, I used the top of a trash can to keep it level and to keep people from bumping in to it and on another, I was at the railing on the second floor of the Main Street Train Station (again, used the tripod). I did not make any adjustments to my camera, but did set it on landscape. Here's a few of my favorites.

http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/75/2582748180052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2582748180052338942jqoGLa)

http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/1100/2740024970052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2740024970052338942CObExf)

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/1108/2989040180052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2989040180052338942ZCUpzO)

http://inlinethumb26.webshots.com/729/2110639310052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2110639310052338942woZvqv)

http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/1057/2240876290052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2240876290052338942FZuOkM)

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/1574/2046189080052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2046189080052338942KoeJxF)

Not quite sure this was supposed to happen:
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/39/2103615110052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2103615110052338942OoBzYw)

http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/1117/2785705160052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2785705160052338942SHhqxz)

http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/761/2815945970052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2815945970052338942JHaByA)

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/1072/2056672430052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2056672430052338942ZTgDwC)

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/992/2156304750052338942S500x500Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2156304750052338942VMMjVC)

[DizneyNutz]

I was cooking on the BBQ New Years Eve and the neighbors a block over were firing some backyard fireworks. Now granted most of the time they don't last long enough for any real shots, but they seemed to have little more than your average bottle rockets, so I rushed in and grabbed my new camera and tripod. I was able to capture a couple before they ended and liked what I was seeing on such an impromto set up. The dark lines that run mostly vertical across the fireworks are because they weren't getting above a large Oak tree that was between us. Still not too bad for the first attempt of fireworks with it. I can't wait for some Real fireworks!
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/teeba/IMG_0462.jpg
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m99/teeba/IMG_0460.jpg

[Gdad]

Here are some more New Years Eve home fireworks from my BIL's house. I was just resting the camera on the roof of a car. I was playing around with the camera settings anywhere from 4-10 second exposures at f22.

http://SCL.smugmug.com/photos/120181790-L.jpg

http://SCL.smugmug.com/photos/120181306-L.jpg

http://SCL.smugmug.com/photos/120180960-L.jpg

Here's one from Wishes a while back- similar settings bracing my lens against a post on the 2nd level train station platform.

http://SCL.smugmug.com/photos/114383639-L.jpg

Results were marginal at best- as most shots were still blurry and scrapped. You really need a tripod and a remote release that works in bulb mode for best shots. I just ordered my Gorillapod (http://www.joby.com/) so I am looking forward to my next try.