Best settings for night photos at Disney...

[lindsroc]

I just got a new Nikon D80 for xmas that I, of course, will be taking on our next trip to Disney in May. I would love to get some great night shots of the castle and parade and Im wondering what the best settings would be? Right now I have only ventured into P mode, but Im hoping by the time May rolls around I will be a little more comfortable with full manual settings. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Groucho]

You might want to check one of the stickies or look for existing threads in the first few pages here - this is a very common topic.

To boil it down to the base essentials...
Castle/other still objects at night: any lens will do, but you need a tripod.
Night parade: you pretty much need a very "fast" lens. The 50mm F1.8 is your cheapest option.

 

[lindsroc]

Thank you... I have the kit lens: 18-135mm AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor lens. However I have a loooong wishlist for lenses, so maybe I will have to get the 50mm before Disney.

 

[ssanders79]

I would also suggest a remote sutter release for your D80 when using a tripod to eliminate any camera shake when using a tripod.

If you are using a tripod then you can easily use a low ISO and longer exposures.

 

[Steve's Girl]

My first trip to Disney with a DSLR was with the D80, 18-135 lens and the $100 50mm 1.8. It was all I needed while I was still learning my camera. For night shots, I used a trash can to steady the camera or set the camera on the ground for some interesting perspectives. As I have learned more, my bag of stuff that I tote around has grown. But, I think it helped to have a very simple kit while I was learning. It allowed me to focus on just my camera and one or two lenses and learn how to use them.

 

[GrillMouster]

I would also suggest a remote sutter release...to eliminate any camera shake when using a tripod.

The ML-L3 wireless remote works for the D80, and you can find it for around $20. There are generic ones that work just as well for even cheaper. Alternately, you can use the camera's timer function; it usually works just as well as a remote shutter release . Through the menu you should be able to set the timer delay. 3-5 seconds should be enough for any vibrations from pressing the button to have subsided. For photographing fireworks, I would definitely go with a remote shutter release over the camera timer (it's virtually impossible to get the "timing" right when using the timer on fireworks).

 

[lindsroc]

My first trip to Disney with a DSLR was with the D80, 18-135 lens and the $100 50mm 1.8. It was all I needed while I was still learning my camera. For night shots, I used a trash can to steady the camera or set the camera on the ground for some interesting perspectives. As I have learned more, my bag of stuff that I tote around has grown. But, I think it helped to have a very simple kit while I was learning. It allowed me to focus on just my camera and one or two lenses and learn how to use them.

Oh good to know, maybe i will pick up the 50mm before then. Any tips for a fellow D80 user?