Best Digital Camera for taking pics of the fireworks ...

[DISNEYLOVER70]

and other evening shots. I have a Toshiba digital camera that is a 4.1 mp (?) and it does take nice pics, but none of my evening shots come out very well. On our last trip, 2 years ago, I didn't have digital, and all my pics of the night parade/fireworks came out as blurs...........

If someone could post a night pic and tell me the type of camera that would be WONDERFUL

Planning on a May 2006 trip if all goes well, so I do have some time to find the right camera...............

TIA

 

[Aliki]

1. Find a steady spot. Use a railing, table, whatever you can find that is sturdy; to support your camera. Holding it in your hand wont cut it.

2. Set your camera to landscape mode. Dont use flash.

3. With an SLR, set focus to infinity, use a small aperture, and try and exposure between 1/2 to 2 seconds. Also, use a low ISO to minimize noise.

Good luck!

 

[t-and-a]

We used a tri-pod for our photos and a Nikon 8700. We also used a remote control to snap the photos; even with a tri-pod, the camera can move by pressing the button to snap the photos.

 

[huey578]

and other evening shots. I have a Toshiba digital camera that is a 4.1 mp (?) and it does take nice pics, but none of my evening shots come out very well. On our last trip, 2 years ago, I didn't have digital, and all my pics of the night parade/fireworks came out as blurs...........

If someone could post a night pic and tell me the type of camera that would be WONDERFUL

Planning on a May 2006 trip if all goes well, so I do have some time to find the right camera...............

TIA

I have a Toshiba digital cam that I bought last year, I too notice it takes crappy pics when there is low light. Are we doing something wrong or is it the camera???lol

 

[Caskbill]

I use a Canon PowerShot S1 IS. I think this model has now been upgraded to another number.

It's an SLR, image stabilization, 3.2 Megapixels, and has about every adjustment on it you could want. The following images were all taken at 1/20 sec, f2.8, 35mm equivalent zoom of 40 - 125 mm (Mickey is the 125mm equivalent zoom), and a resolution of 1024x768 to 1600x1200 pixels. I purchased the camera in 2004 for less than $400.

It has 10X Optical Zoom and 32X digital zoom. It will also record sound and attach the sound file (.wav) to the photo. It will also shoot video but that is very dependent on memory and I think the resolution has to be pretty low. It has a nice photo-stitch capability, automatically senses camera orientation and automatically sets the photo for portrait or landscape. It has a popup flash with red-eye reduction, and depending on the speed of your media, can take about 5 photos/second if you want to catch stop action. Media is Compact Flash. It has an A/V output which will hook directly to a TV and a mode to display a slide show right from the camera.

If you don't have a tripod or something to lean against, you can still shoot at night making yourself a steady 'tripod'. Hold the camera tight against your face, put both elbows down tightly against your body, spread your legs slightly apart and stand rigid. Take a breath, let half of it out and hold it, then gently (very gently) click the shutter. All of these photos were taken hand-held, so it can be done. If you want a time-lapse (EG 2-second exposure) then you would definitely need a tripod, and if possible a cable release, or if that's not possible you might be able to use a self timer if the photo conditions merit it.

The camera's software saves all photo information including date/time as well as the shooting parameters. (That's how I knew the above numbers). These sample photos were all taken with an Auto setting, night mode, but no flash.

Anyway, this is my 3rd digital and I like it best. Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

caskbill, your pictures are ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!!! I have a Canon Powershot...A85 is the model number. 4.1 MP and I have NO CLUE how to use it to get the shots you did. Basically, I point and shoot on AUTO.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

Thanks for all the replies! Caskbill: I pm'd you.

 

[Caskbill]

caskbill, your pictures are ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!!!! I have a Canon Powershot...A85 is the model number. 4.1 MP and I have NO CLUE how to use it to get the shots you did. Basically, I point and shoot on AUTO.

I don't know if the A85 has IS (Image Stabilizer) and that may be part of the difference. Also, you can't just shoot on Auto. The camera will try it's best, but you've got to help it out. For example, for the night shots I set ISO at about 400 to get fast exposure, but still let the auto-exposure do the final adjustment so as not to over/under expose, but by setting for 'fast film' it can expose at 1/20 second instead of for example 1/2 second. That will make a big difference.

Also there's a lot of technique. Use the viewfinder and hold the camera tight to your face. If you try to use the viewscreen then you're holding the camera out there with just your hands and that won't do it. Locking your elbows down tight against your body and the camera tight against your head, you become much more stable than just holding the camera out in front of you.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

It sounds awful technical. I guess I have to either :

1)find a "point and shoot" and hope for the best
2)take some time and learn about photography !!!

I think I may have to take the time and learn because to have photo's like "Caskbill" in my photo album would be unbelieveable !!!

 

[jmminarik]

I think I may have to take the time and learn because to have photo's like "Caskbill" in my photo album would be unbelieveable !!!

Take the time. You can start off with reading the camera manual to learn how to operate the camera, then hit the Internet for help on taking better photos. Kodak has(had) a decent "tutorial". Then practice...it's only electrons and don't forget, you don't see the bad photos professionals take. It's amazing how much better one's photo's turn out with just a little bit of forethought and planning. That said, don't spend your entire vacation looking through the viewfinder/lcd.

-Joe

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

That said, don't spend your entire vacation looking through the viewfinder/lcd.

I definately don't plan on doing that!!! I just want to capture the special moments !!

 

[disneysteve]

http://community.webshots.com/user/disneysteve\

Look in the "Walt Disney World" and "Our California Adventure" albums for some nite shots taken with my Olympus D580. The California album has some from Disney and some from Vegas farther down.

 

[DISNEYLOVER70]

DisneySteve : I checked out your pics, beautiful !!!!!!!! I will definately check into that camera

 

[MOmousefan]

We used digital cameras for our last WDW trip and I can's stress enough what was said earlier about stabilizing the camera. My daughters shot 170 pictures of Spectro and Wishes. Around 40 are first rate (IMHO) and 50 are not so good. The rest turned out fair, not good enough to share here. Shoot lots of pictures!

 

[disneysteve]

Regarding stabilizing the camera, buy yourself a pocket tripod. They are about $10 and worth every penny. I literally carry it in my pocket - they are that small. You simply can't hold the camera steady enough in your hands and there isn't always a convenient place to set the camera down.

 

[Shelly S]

I recently purchased the Cannon a S2. So far I absolutely love the pictures it takes. I have not had the chance to try night/lights shots yet. Caskbill, did you use any other settings on your S1 other than night setting with no flash to get those great pictures. The S2 has a fireworks setting and I'm hoping I will not have to use any other adjustments, but I would like to know what adjustments to make if I need them. Thanks.

 

[AbbysFamily]

Shelly S - The fireworks setting should do great.... HOWEVER - know that that setting is a 2 second exposure. This means you MUST have a stable spot for the camera.

I bought a TINY tripod and hope to find a garbage can or something to rest it on to get mine when I'm down there.

If those aren't turning out (shakey) - the other option you could do is switch to Tv and try out some shots at about 1/8 a second. The fireworks won't be as stunning, but at least with the IS they won't be too blurry.

AND LEAVE OFF THE FLASH!!!

 

[CleveRocks]

To the OP:

Except for serious flaws or defects, there's no such thing as a camera that takes a bad picture. It's all in the hands of the photographer. Technique is a big part of it. You will need to learn at least a bit of technique. Experiment, and have fun doing it!!! The best things are, since it's a digital camera you get immediate feedback, and it doesn't have to cost you anything (unlike waiting for your film to be developed and paying for it, too).

A good photographer can take great pics with a modest camera, and a not-good photographer couldn't take good pictures with a $2,000 camera except by accident.

-- Eric

 

[disneysteve]

Except for serious flaws or defects, there's no such thing as a camera that takes a bad picture.

This is so true. People frequently see photos I've taken and say, "Wow. You must have a really great camera." No, I have a really average camera but I happen to take very good pictures with it.

 

[Kycha]

Regarding stabilizing the camera, buy yourself a pocket tripod. They are about $10 and worth every penny. I literally carry it in my pocket - they are that small. You simply can't hold the camera steady enough in your hands and there isn't always a convenient place to set the camera down.

How tall is your tripod? I have decided after taking about a hundred blurry fireworks shot last week that I really need to invest in a tripod. Anything you can tell me about your tripod would be greatly appreciated.