Getting Ready to Leave a Few Last questions for the experts

[iluvdisnee]

We're getting ready to leave for the world on Friday for 9 days. I have a few questions I wanted to ask the experts!

MK Fireworks: I'm bringing my tripod and my remote shutter...where do you all think the best spot for setting up is? I was thinking trying to get up into the train station but I'm not sure! I have a Mini Tripod and a big tripod...is there any good "Garbage Can" spots that I could set up the Mini on instead of bringing in the big one?

Shutter Speed/Remote Shutter: Does anyone have a good reccomendation on shutter speed that should be pretty good? I have a Canon XTi and a Sigma 18-200 OS as well as a Canon 50 1.8. I've done a lot of looking on flickr etc at fireworks pictures and it seems to vary so much...so when you are taking fireworks pics what settings to YOU start with?


What are your favorite vantage points for Castle / Spaceship Earth / Sorcerer's Hat / Tree of Life pics?

I think thats it!

 

[handicap18]

For MK fireworks I like the trashcan near the information board just past Casey's Corner. ISO 200, f/10 for anywhere from 3-6 seconds, or you could use the BULB setting and time things yourself. Just don't go more than 10 seconds. Set the camera so that the bottom of the castle is right at the bottom of your view finder and have a bunch of space available above it. Probably right around 35mm focal length, maybe a bit wider with the XTi. Get a spot early though. Don't forget about Spectro before Wishes. Many people get a spot and keep it for both. If your serious about getting a spot, plan on about 45 minutes to an hour (if not more) before Spectro. Then for Spectro get out your 50mm f/1.8 and set it to Av at 1.8 with ISO 1600 and you'll probably do fairly well. May have get a -1 Exposure Compensation to get around a 1/80th shutter speed. This way with 1 spot you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

Have fun and we'll be waiting to see your photos when you get back!

 

[ukcatfan]

I know that many people use the trashcan tripod idea, but I just cannot get myself to do it. I worry about it stinking, being infested with bugs, and someone accidentally knocking my gear over. Am I just overthinking it?

Kevin

 

[dburg30]

I know that many people use the trashcan tripod idea, but I just cannot get myself to do it. I worry about it stinking, being infested with bugs, and someone accidentally knocking my gear over. Am I just overthinking it?

Kevin

Probably not overthinking it ..

But you have to make sacrifices for your art

 

[DVC Jen]

The balcony area by the train station is NOT a very good place. There is a nice flag pole blocking the view - disappointing huh?

We set up in front of the train station in the circle area (I am embarrassed I forget what it is called). It wasn't the best place for the parade - but was good for the fireworks - looked right down main street towards the castle. I just wish my tripod had been a bit higher - I had someone with a hat on stand RIGHT in front of my tripod as soon as the fireworks started - so the bottom portion of the castle had to be cropped off.

I also used my XTi with the remote shutter release. My settings were - ISO 100, f/8.0 with a shutter speed of 3 or 4 seconds. The longer the shutter is open the longer it takes for the picture to write to the CF card - and that can be a pain - BUT - the cooler the photos are as well.

Also make sure you set your white balance to tungsten.

Can't wait to see your pics when you get back. Have a fantastic time.

 

[boBQuincy]

Probably not overthinking it ..

But you have to make sacrifices for your art

Yes, you must suffer to create great art! Bugs, trash, crowds, matter not! You are an *artist*!!!

 

[Groucho]

The balcony area by the train station is NOT a very good place. There is a nice flag pole blocking the view - disappointing huh?

I would avoid it, too, because there's so much Main St in the shot and the castle is so far away. But that's just my taste.

I also used my XTi with the remote shutter release. My settings were - ISO 100, f/8.0 with a shutter speed of 3 or 4 seconds. The longer the shutter is open the longer it takes for the picture to write to the CF card - and that can be a pain - BUT - the cooler the photos are as well.

Try turning off the "noise reduction" in your settings. (Not sure where it is on Canons.) That would have it write the photo immediately instead of then taking another photo with the shutter closed for the same length of time. I haven't seen any visible issues with this setting.

 

[handicap18]

Try turning off the "noise reduction" in your settings. (Not sure where it is on Canons.) That would have it write the photo immediately instead of then taking another photo with the shutter closed for the same length of time. I haven't seen any visible issues with this setting.

I agree. Last 4th of July I took some fireworks shots and just previous to that I had been playing around with the Noise Reduction feature. When I was taking the fireworks shots it would take 4-5 seconds after each shot before I could take another. I was very annoyed. Didn't realize it was the NR till a few days later.

The only real spot you'd need to use the NR is if you want to take super long exposures of star trails. 30+ minute exposure even at ISO 100 or 200 is going to yeild a lot of noise so this is where the NR feature comes in handy. Granted you'll only get to take 3 or maybe 4 shots each night, but noise will be much less of an issue. I tried a 27 minute exposure without the NR and man is it NOISY. Next time I'll use the NR to see how much improvement there is. From what I've read it should be fairly significant. But for a 3-6 second exposure there should be no issues.

 

[Suburbanmom]

Subscribing!

 

[handicap18]

I know that many people use the trashcan tripod idea, but I just cannot get myself to do it. I worry about it stinking, being infested with bugs, and someone accidentally knocking my gear over. Am I just overthinking it?

Kevin

I certainly can understand your concerns. I think Disney does a very good job with their trash collection. If one does happen to stink then try another one. I set my tripod up so it was open but not extended. Worked out to be just about a perfect height and the trash can is small enough that holding onto your stuff when people are around is no problem. The trashcan itself was a bit off balance so I stuck some paper under one corner and that made it perfectly steady.

I kepted my camera off it until I needed to have it on the tripod, but left the tripod setup on the trash can. Thus telling people what my intentions where.

But hey, not every trick works for everyone.

 

[Groucho]

Don't forget that at MK, they can just suck the trash downwards out of the trash cans... the wonders of the utilidoors! Don't let your camera or your young children get too close, or... whooooosh!