Any tips on shooting fireworks?

[stubbsy]

With NYE approaching I figure many of us will have our cameras pointing skywards. Are there any tips on the best settings to get that "perfect" shot?

[johndec]

Great minds must think alike Stubbsy I found this earlier today.
This talks about 100ISO settings, so allow an f-stop for the 200ISO D70.

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources ... orks1.html

[stubbsy]

johndec

Thanks. Need to convert from film to digi as you say. Not sure it's gonna be as easy as they say.

Only get one chance at it and I'm staying sober (ish) - only taking one bottle of good Tyrrell's red.

Cheers

[robw25]

i shot some fireworks xmas eve and they came out pretty good ( i cant show you as pixspot wont upload my photo's, they are under 1 meg ) my settings were : exposure time 2 s next time i'll try 1.6s
f- number 4.5
focal lenght 70mm
manual focus on infinity

cheers rob

[beetleboy]

Here's a question!

What WB would be best for bright burning chemicals?

OR maybe shoot NEF and figure that out afterwards!

Liam =] PS - don't forget to turn on your long exposure noise reduction in the menu..ooh ooh, and try covering the eyepiece with the cap (comes in the kit) to stop light getting in the back.

[stubbsy]

Just found this article at NY Institute of photography entitled Shooting Fireworks with a Digital Camera http://www.nyip.com/tips/current/digfirewks.php

[Matt. K]

This has already been mentioned...but it should be high-lighted. Set your D70 to manual focus and focus on infinity, or manually via the viewfinder. Don't let autofocus go hunting correct focus because it will have a very hard time doing it.
I suggest using the manual settings...about 2 seconds and lens about f/8 to f/11 with an ISO of 200. Ignore your histogram unless you are very experienced in decoding its significence. Check you images visually on the LCD to confirm your exposure is OK. Vary your settings occasionally for different results and don't be afraid to use a long lens every now and then for a different result. Use your remote release if you have one and be sure to set the remote duration in the menu to about 60 minutes or so(I'm not sure of the maximum duration)...or the camera will turn itself off the remote setting...forcing you back into the menu.
If you get intoxicated don't vomit over your camera...this can get you disqualified from this forum.
Happy NewYear D70 forum members!

[Glen]

Thanks for the tips Matt, especially the one about not vomitting on the camera

[tasadam]

Going back about 12 years I took some exceptional shots of fireworks over Albert Lake in Melbourne.
Had cam on tripod with cable release, got a great position, infinity focus, f8 to 11 good advice I can't remember what I used. I was adjusting the zoom a fair bit to maximise the shot (using film), I would follow the trail from the firework as it was going up, try to predict where it was going to go off, lock the tripod then fire the cable, wait til the action from that firework was finished and then close the shutter. Keeps you busy, not a lot of time to enjoy what's going on around you. But when I got the results I was stoked - there was one rocket that went off that cost $10,000 (sad they can spend that much on one quick loud colourful bang), the rocket went up, I guessed the amount of zoom required and the location of the bang, locked the tripod and opened the shutter, then BANG I can still remember how loud the mutha was. When I got it back it was framed perfect - only complaint was that the explosion was so loud it made everything vibrate so the rapidly expanding embers have shaky tails. Still, a great pic.
Good luck with the fireworks and sorry my advice comes too late for last nite's fun, maybe next time?
Adam.