kit lens for fireworks?

[NSmuppetmom]

I have a Canon T2i.... the only lenses I have are the nifty 50 and the kit lens. In my pre-trip studies, I have read that for fireworks, I want manual mode and to set my lens to manual (obviously) and infinity.

I have a remote shutter release (getting a tripod once we cross South of the border so as to save $).

My kit lens doesn't appear to have the infinity sign anywhere...

So, how can I best shoot the fireworks?

 

[wbeem]

Focus on the castle, stop down (which you'll do anyway for fireworks), and you'll have plenty of depth of field for your fireworks.

 

[NSmuppetmom]

stop down??

And here I thought I was getting all the photog language down, lol.

 

[HPS3]

WBeem means that you're going to use an aperature probably around 11-16. Stopping down refers to increasing your aperature. This increases what is in focus(depth of field). If you focus on the castle at f11-f16 your fireworks will be in focus also.

 

[ukcatfan]

The smaller aperture also allows you to keep the shutter open for a long time without overexposing the shot.

 

[nbaresejr]

All of my photos are shot with the same camera and the same lenses. take a look at my flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57234495@N03/

 

[wbeem]

stop down??

And here I thought I was getting all the photog language down, lol.

Good point! I'm probably getting stuff backwards, but it's nice to see someone explained it.

 

[mom2rtk]

Do you have a remote shutter release? You'll want one of those, and it won't be as easy to find once you arrive, so I'd get one of those now.

Also, you'll want to use a low ISO (100 probably) to increase the length of time you can keep the shutter open. I typically just wing it on how long I leave he shutter open, depending on the timing of the bursts, but end up with my better shots around 5-7 seconds.