one last question about taking pictures of fireworks

[nataliesdaddy]

hi guys - I am lame with a camera... I do not have a digital - but a film camera - can someone tell me how to take pictures of fireworks and say ...like the spectromagic parade? I mean like no flash right? and what fast speed film? normal film? or should I bite the bullet and get a digital? I really don't want to spend another 2 to 400 bucks on a more then 2.5 megapixel camera... would prefer to stay woith film - any suggestions?

 

[TreeOfLife]

Unless you buy a miracle film camera, you won't get good pictures at night in those situations if you don't have a digital camera with a good resolution.

An alternative to paying a high price right away could be to check out Comp Usa, Best Buy, Circuit City..etc., promos. I bought my Nikon 3100 during a special promo where if you bought a camera over $279 with their credit program you had 24 months, no interest payments. It came down to under $12/mo, and each month you have the choice to pay a little more. Also, there are always rebates you may take advantage of in addition to your payment plan's convenience

This camera has a setting especially for fireworks at night. Definitely worth the investment to bring along a vacation like this.

 

[happy highlander]

Dont rush out and buy a new camera, I have a digi camera now but I got some excelent results using kodak royal 1000. I will try and post them today so you may judge for yourself. Have fun & dont spend extra money if you dont need to.

 

[Andrew Bichard]

For the photos you want, there is nothing that a digital camera can do that a film camera can't.

Because Spectromagic is made up of light bulbs, any camera with autoexposure should work well provided most of the frame is filled with the float. Definitely don't us flash - it's the lights you want to photograph.

Fireworks are more of a problem. Again, flash is useless. You need a camera that can be set manually with autofocus and autoexposure turned off. Your best bet is to invest in a tripod and cable release. set camera Set focus manually to infinity, turn off autoexposure, use a fast film and keep the shutter open for the full burst of the firework. If possible take several shots with different apertures to ensure at least one comes out well.

You should spend a couple of $$ on a photography book - they will have reccomended exposure settings.

BTW, I have gotten very good results with my camcorder by switching off autoexposure, then adjusting exposure manually until I get a good image on the LCD.

Andrew

 

[nataliesdaddy]

thx andrew will see if my film camera can do that - it is a kodak preview - and we just got a sovy trv 33 I am pretty sure it can do what you were saying - I mean geez the bugger does all kinds of stuff - never had one before this - think I will buy some fountains tonight and see if I can get it to work