Canon s2is Firework question

[superbird]

I know this seems to be the most popular camera it seems on the board as I bought it from everyone's recomendation. Went to WDW 3 weeks ago and fireworks still did not come out as great as some others I have seen here (mainly Dan Murphy's lol (still has the best pictures)), could someone walk me through the settings I need to do to take nightime and then to take firework pictures? Should flash be on etc? We go back in 2 weeks and want to get it right as well as nighttime shots of the Wilderness lodge. Thanks as always guys and gals...

 

[Kelly Grannell]

We need a sticky for this.

1. Always use a tripod (you can't get away from that, not even with the 'budget' tripods)
2. Always use either remote shutter release or shutter delay so your finger press doesn't shake tha camera
3. Never use flash
4. The easiest way is to use fireworks mode
5. If you don't have that use Landscape mode with flash turned off
6. If you want to go the manual route, I like ISO100, 2 sec shutter, f/10

 

[superbird]

Yes I think other people would love to know this too. Do you happen to know which settings on the camera itself to change it to the lower Iso? I tried the book but it seemed like one or the other not both? Thanks for the help

 

[Kelly Grannell]

If you have fireworks mode, it will automatically chooses the lowest ISO setting, 2 sec shutter, if I remember correctly.

I don't know whether your camera has this, but set your camera to M mode, set shutter to 2 sec and f/8 to f/13 (this aperture is a crap shoot) and change the ISO through the menu settings.

At least that how I do it using my A80 and my A95 (on a dSLR there is a dedicated button for ISO changes).

 

[BVC4us]

How would you take fireworks on a canon Xt? Thank you We leave in a couple of days.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

1. Always use a tripod (you can't get away from that, not even with the 'budget' tripods)
2. Always use either remote shutter release or shutter delay so your finger press doesn't shake the camera
3. Never use flash
4. Go the manual route, I like ISO100, 2 sec shutter, f/10

 

[pmcf]

1. Always use a tripod (you can't get away from that, not even with the 'budget' tripods)

Totally agree; but coming from the UK it is difficult to bring my tripod with me. Can you suggest somewhere where I can buy an inexpnsive one in FLA to use? I wish I had when we stayed in AKL (handheld 300mm is hard to control!!!) It would be much easier to do this!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

which camera will you be using? I doubt you'll need more than 100mm for fireworks. 300mm will be far too close. Regardless, if you're using a dSLR with 300mm lens, no inexpensive tripod can be used, they will easily cost around US$300 including the head. Will you be willing to not bring it back to UK after?