spin off on the firework thread-using an ND filter

[kgreen]

I just got my remote cable, & 0.9 nd filter yesterday. And excited to take pictures next sat. & sun. of our local fireworks displays. Just found out we will be going to one tonight as well. I'm excited & nervous.. first time shooting with my dslr, & nd filter. Time to scope out the firework thread, no time like the present. Can you offer any advice for shooting fireworks with an nd filter.

 

[Experiment_626]

I just got my remote cable, & 0.9 nd filter yesterday. And excited to take pictures next sat. & sun. of our local fireworks displays. Just found out we will be going to one tonight as well. I'm excited & nervous.. first time shooting with my dslr, & nd filter. Time to scope out the firework thread, no time like the present. Can you offer any advice for shooting fireworks with an nd filter.

Mainly, I'd suggest you focus on infinity first and then flip the camera to manual focus and then put the filter on the lens. I'd suggest f/8 or f/9 at ISO 100 and f/11 to f/16 at ISO 200. That range of apertures has worked for me; smaller apertures make the fireworks "trails" finer and thinner. I'd check after the first capture and adjust from there.

This image is a composite of a few images shot with a variable ND filter — all images were shot at f/13 with ISO set to 200.


Wishes: A Magical Composite of Disney Dreams by Scott S. Baxter, on Flickr

SSB

 

[Luvscrappin]

Nice pic! Can I ask what lens you use to shoot your fireworks pics? Thanks!

 

[Experiment_626]

Nice pic! Can I ask what lens you use to shoot your fireworks pics? Thanks!

For that particular show, I was using a Sigma 18-200 zoom. It isn't what I'd typically use, which is either a Tamron 17-50 or the Sigma 10-20. But it did a perfectly serviceable job — you certainly don't need fast lens for fireworks. I shot that one at 22mm, which is typical for my shots from the end of Main Street. I was standing in the street with Casey's Corner on my left.

SSB

 

[Luvscrappin]

For that particular show, I was using a Sigma 18-200 zoom. It isn't what I'd typically use, which is either a Tamron 17-50 or the Sigma 10-20. But it did a perfectly serviceable job — you certainly don't need fast lens for fireworks. I shot that one at 22mm, which is typical for my shots from the end of Main Street. I was standing in the street with Casey's Corner on my left.

SSB

thanks for the response. I am contemplating the tokina 11-16mm 2.8f, but do you think the 24-105mm 4/f would work? I hate the thought of putting out extra money before vacation! This hobby is not cheap!

 

[2Tiggies]

thanks for the response. I am contemplating the tokina 11-16mm 2.8f, but do you think the 24-105mm 4/f would work? I hate the thought of putting out extra money before vacation! This hobby is not cheap!

I've just purchased the Tokina 11-16 - it arrived last week

I am going to probably use that for Illuminations and just use my 18-105 for Wishes. I will take both with me and see at the time which I want to use. FWIW I did not buy the Tokina for taking fireworks; I am going to use it because I have it, but I don't think I could buy a lens just for one purpose.

 

[mom2rtk]

I wouldn't use the Tokina for fireworks if you can help it. I've tried on a couple occasions (contrary to advice here!) and saw for myself it wasn't best. I thought I'd like it to get more of the high bursts in the field of view. But really it just made them all look smaller . I didn't like that. I was much happier with my 17-55 lens.

 

[Experiment_626]

thanks for the response. I am contemplating the tokina 11-16mm 2.8f, but do you think the 24-105mm 4/f would work? I hate the thought of putting out extra money before vacation! This hobby is not cheap!

The 24-105 would probably work a little further back up Main Street toward the train station, if Main Street is where you intend to shoot. It would give you more freedom to choose your position. You could use that lens at a longer setting to shoot from the TTC, if you wanted. The 11-16 would be pushing it; you'd want to get closer to the castle, where crowds might be a problem. And if you get too close, the castle blocks your view of some bursts.

SSB

 

[2Tiggies]

I wouldn't use the Tokina for fireworks if you can help it. I've tried on a couple occasions (contrary to advice here!) and saw for myself it wasn't best. I thought I'd like it to get more of the high bursts in the field of view. But really it just made them all look smaller . I didn't like that. I was much happier with my 17-55 lens.

Thank you for that. I thought I would give it a try as we are doing an 18 day trip this year and have park tickets/MNSSHP tickets for all but 2 of those days so I figure I can have a re-do if necessary. I might give it a try anyway as I am not sure if we will make it back before late next year or into the following year and I am totally determined to at least give some fireworks shoots my very best effort. I've never attempted them before.

I did wonder if the Tokina would put me 'too far out' but I guess that is all down to where I will be standing. I am not very tall so that is an added challenge for me in crowds

 

[mom2rtk]

Thank you for that. I thought I would give it a try as we are doing an 18 day trip this year and have park tickets/MNSSHP tickets for all but 2 of those days so I figure I can have a re-do if necessary. I might give it a try anyway as I am not sure if we will make it back before late next year or into the following year and I am totally determined to at least give some fireworks shoots my very best effort. I've never attempted them before.

I did wonder if the Tokina would put me 'too far out' but I guess that is all down to where I will be standing. I am not very tall so that is an added challenge for me in crowds

An 18 day trip sounds heavenly!

I was the same way. People here told me not to do it, but only trying it for myself really did the trick for me. It does get more things into the field of view, but at the expense of making the things off in the distance in the middle of your frame (the bursts) appear smaller.

I tried it up in the hub near the castle. And it just made the problem of the castle hiding some of them even worse since it made them smaller.

 

[Luvscrappin]

The 24-105 would probably work a little further back up Main Street toward the train station, if Main Street is where you intend to shoot. It would give you more freedom to choose your position. You could use that lens at a longer setting to shoot from the TTC, if you wanted. The 11-16 would be pushing it; you'd want to get closer to the castle, where crowds might be a problem. And if you get too close, the castle blocks your view of some bursts.

SSB

I was really considering it because I don't have a true wide angle lens, not just for fireworks. I am renting the 24-105mm. I have the 18-55 kit lens, 55-250mm, and 28-135mm. can someone advise me which is my best option for fireworks? I would like to be around Casey's since that seems like ppl get alot of good shots from that spot. Thanks!

I am trying hard to get out of the auto mode and venture into real photography, lol!

 

[2Tiggies]

An 18 day trip sounds heavenly!

I was the same way. People here told me not to do it, but only trying it for myself really did the trick for me. It does get more things into the field of view, but at the expense of making the things off in the distance in the middle of your frame (the bursts) appear smaller.

I tried it up in the hub near the castle. And it just made the problem of the castle hiding some of them even worse since it made them smaller.

Perhaps I will try out a few photos in potential viewing areas during the day first, take a look at the images on the laptop in the room and then get an idea. I've seen wishes enough times to get a fair idea of where the bursts are relative to the castle.