Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sat Sep 08, 2012 2:50 pm  

I'd use a narrower aperture (ie f/8) as it'll give you a greater DOF and therefore compensate for focus miscalculations. You don't need to have a fast aperture as you're not after a fast shutter speed. You can set the focus to infinity on you're kit lens (18-55?) even though there is no distance scale window, turn the focus ring as far left as it'll go (whilst holding the camera as you normally would, at least thats for Canon).

Hope this helps Trace

Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sat Sep 08, 2012 2:53 pm  

Thanks for the tip Ferocious Aardvark, will have to check it out

Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sat Sep 08, 2012 2:54 pm  

Big Graeme wrote:

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

Its a great site is that although occasionally it misses the odd good deal. Useful now as it has current eBay items listed

Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sat Sep 08, 2012 3:22 pm  

Baxendale wrote:

I'd use a narrower aperture (ie f/8) as it'll give you a greater DOF and therefore compensate for focus miscalculations. You don't need to have a fast aperture as you're not after a fast shutter speed. You can set the focus to infinity on you're kit lens (18-55?) even though there is no distance scale window, turn the focus ring as far left as it'll go (whilst holding the camera as you normally would, at least thats for Canon).

Hope this helps Trace

Thanks for that, so the lens would be zoomed out as far as possible?

Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sat Sep 08, 2012 11:05 pm  

RoversTrace wrote: That's interesting Graeme, thanks, I was wondering about using the 50mm but i've not experimented with it much yet. I'm not going to be close up so was looking at taking in the whole picture rather than zooming in, so the 50mm would be good for that, and of course better for the low light. The contrary arguement was that someone else on a photography forum said to set the aperture higher, f8 - 16 so that threw me a bit. The Nifty Fifty is a quality lens and even going down to f16 it will still do a great job, you are not really interested in a quick shutter speed though as you'll be hand timing with the bulb setting (you have got a shutter release cable or button haven't you?) http://www.flickr.com/photos/big_graeme ... 061978096/ That was my first set, I used my 24-70 f2.8 set at around 30mm on an f16 stop, it was just a matter of shoot and see what I got, I don't think they ended up too bad. Remember if you do use the 55-250mm lens to turn off the IS function.

RoversTrace wrote: That's interesting Graeme, thanks, I was wondering about using the 50mm but i've not experimented with it much yet. I'm not going to be close up so was looking at taking in the whole picture rather than zooming in, so the 50mm would be good for that, and of course better for the low light. The contrary arguement was that someone else on a photography forum said to set the aperture higher, f8 - 16 so that threw me a bit. The Nifty Fifty is a quality lens and even going down to f16 it will still do a great job, you are not really interested in a quick shutter speed though as you'll be hand timing with the bulb setting (you have got a shutter release cable or button haven't you?) http://www.flickr.com/photos/big_graeme ... 061978096/ That was my first set, I used my 24-70 f2.8 set at around 30mm on an f16 stop, it was just a matter of shoot and see what I got, I don't think they ended up too bad. Remember if you do use the 55-250mm lens to turn off the IS function.

Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sun Sep 09, 2012 8:49 am  

There's some interesting info to be had by typing "shooting fireworks" into the search function of a well-know video site.

Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sun Sep 09, 2012 8:51 am  

Yes I've got a shutter release cable which I'll be using, so all i'm torn between now is nifty fifty or 18-55.

Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:52 am  

RoversTrace wrote:

Thanks for that, so the lens would be zoomed out as far as possible?

Not zoomed out no but using the focus ring (the smaller ring). If it the 18-55 kit lens there is the large rubberized zoom ring and a small focus ring at the end of the lens (near the filter threads) its the latter focus ring you want.

If you can get the framing you want use the 50 1.8 (as it does have better IQ) but if you need a wider shot, use the 18-55, simples! . I'd recommend using the 18-55 as you have more control over the framing of the fireworks rather than having to move your tripod around etc with the prime.

As Graeme also said, use a narrower aperture, and remember to take a few test shots first and adjust if required!!

Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sun Sep 09, 2012 11:55 am  

Big Graeme wrote: The Nifty Fifty is a quality lens and even going down to f16 it will still do a great job, you are not really interested in a quick shutter speed though as you'll be hand timing with the bulb setting (you have got a shutter release cable or button haven't you?) http://www.flickr.com/photos/big_graeme ... 061978096/ That was my first set, I used my 24-70 f2.8 set at around 30mm on an f16 stop, it was just a matter of shoot and see what I got, I don't think they ended up too bad. Remember if you do use the 55-250mm lens to turn off the IS function. Some really good shots there Graeme, with a bit of care its pretty straight forward to get some nice firework shots isn't it so I don't think RoversTrace should be too concerned

Big Graeme wrote: The Nifty Fifty is a quality lens and even going down to f16 it will still do a great job, you are not really interested in a quick shutter speed though as you'll be hand timing with the bulb setting (you have got a shutter release cable or button haven't you?) http://www.flickr.com/photos/big_graeme ... 061978096/ That was my first set, I used my 24-70 f2.8 set at around 30mm on an f16 stop, it was just a matter of shoot and see what I got, I don't think they ended up too bad. Remember if you do use the 55-250mm lens to turn off the IS function. Some really good shots there Graeme, with a bit of care its pretty straight forward to get some nice firework shots isn't it so I don't think RoversTrace should be too concerned

Re: Photography thread 11.02 : Sun Sep 09, 2012 1:43 pm  

These were last year's bonfire night efforts, looking at them probably zoomed in too far and will try to get the 'bigger picture' this time, but they weren't too bad!