Fireworks Setting

airconvent · 1st August 2006

Hi
I'm thinking of shooting the NDP fireworks using the Pentax istDL.
The ones I tried to take ath National Stadium NDP rehearsal was much less than ideal with blurred images for all shots.
I noticed there is a fireworks/night mode. Is this the best setting to use or do you have recommended personal settings instead?

I've always assumed for night shots, set ISO to as high as possible (800-1600), open up the aperture to F2.8 or better but I have since other sampe shots using F8 or F11 with 2-4 second exposure. I wonder how these manage to catch the fireworks properly since they normal blow up in 1-2 seconds.

Any advice is appreciated.

CY_OH · 1st August 2006

Originally Posted by airconvent

Hi
I'm thinking of shooting the NDP fireworks using the Pentax istDL.
The ones I tried to take ath National Stadium NDP rehearsal was much less than ideal with blurred images for all shots.
I noticed there is a fireworks/night mode. Is this the best setting to use or do you have recommended personal settings instead?

I've always assumed for night shots, set ISO to as high as possible (800-1600), open up the aperture to F2.8 or better but I have since other sampe shots using F8 or F11 with 2-4 second exposure. I wonder how these manage to catch the fireworks properly since they normal blow up in 1-2 seconds.

Any advice is appreciated.

To avoid blur images, shutter speed should be at least 1 / (focal lengthx1.5 crop), eg. 1/30s at 18mm and 1/90s at 55mm.

Other people in the stadium may be using a monopod or partially opened tripod to be able to use exposures of several seconds with ISO 100-200.

fengwei · 2nd August 2006

For firework, make sure to use a steady tripod. You'll need to set the camera to B mode, disable the in camera noise remove setting, use a cable release, ISO to 200, aperture sets to 11 to 18 (smaller number, thinner firework traces), just count the time span as 4 to 8 seconds as you wish while keep pressing the suttle button on the cable release, then wish all the best would come out

A couple of firework shots to share (taken during CNY):

I'd be there on the bridge this Saturday along with a couple of friends to shoot the fireworks. Maybe you guys wanna join too

Cheers and happy shooting.

kohweeloon · 2nd August 2006

hi guy

maybe can organise an outing this NDP to shoot the fire work. what you all think

cheer

lizzy · 2nd August 2006

Originally Posted by fengwei

For firework, make sure to use a steady tripod. You'll need to set the camera to B mode, disable the in camera noise remove setting, use a cable release, ISO to 200, aperture sets to 11 to 18 (smaller number, thinner firework traces), just count the time span as 4 to 8 seconds as you wish while keep pressing the suttle button on the cable release, then wish all the best would come out

what is the reason to disable the in camera noise remove setting?
where can we get the cable release for DL? how do we connect it?

airconvent · 2nd August 2006

Thanks oh and feng wei
How much does a Pentax cable release cost and where can I buy it.
I was at Peninsula and Funan but had no luck finding one..

fengwei · 2nd August 2006

Originally Posted by lizzy

what is the reason to disable the in camera noise remove setting?
where can we get the cable release for DL? how do we connect it?

'Cause the noise remove will delay your shooting, you'd miss a lot if you have it enabled

For the cable release, you can get the one for Canon 300D/350D. Someone selling it here:

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=208233

Just get this one: RS-60E3 - $20
It's exactly the same as the one for Pentax dSLR camera

fengwei · 2nd August 2006

Originally Posted by airconvent

Thanks oh and feng wei
How much does a Pentax cable release cost and where can I buy it.
I was at Peninsula and Funan but had no luck finding one..

See above ...

airconvent · 2nd August 2006

cool ...do you mean the cable release is standard for most cameras?
thanks...ordering now..hope can get it in time for fireworks festival!

ps I just checked the cable release socket and its very small (not the standard audio connector). The one in the picture seems quite big. Can you confirm its really compatible? Thanks!

lizzy · 3rd August 2006

Originally Posted by fengwei

'Cause the noise remove will delay your shooting, you'd miss a lot if you have it enabled

For the cable release, you can get the one for Canon 300D/350D. Someone selling it here:

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=208233

Just get this one: RS-60E3 - $20
It's exactly the same as the one for Pentax dSLR camera

thanks for the info! going to get one...

fengwei · 3rd August 2006

Originally Posted by airconvent

cool ...do you mean the cable release is standard for most cameras?
thanks...ordering now..hope can get it in time for fireworks festival!

ps I just checked the cable release socket and its very small (not the standard audio connector). The one in the picture seems quite big. Can you confirm its really compatible? Thanks!

Don't worry, just get it. If not working, blame me

Or I'd take it for what you pay for

istDeS · 3rd August 2006

Originally Posted by airconvent

ps I just checked the cable release socket and its very small (not the standard audio connector). The one in the picture seems quite big. Can you confirm its really compatible? Thanks!

It works, I use the Canon RS-60E3 cable release on my DS.

airconvent · 3rd August 2006

ok..ok...thanks for the reassurances...heh heh
I already arranged to collect from him next week...
cheers

fengwei · 4th August 2006

Originally Posted by airconvent

ok..ok...thanks for the reassurances...heh heh
I already arranged to collect from him next week...
cheers

If you are coming to the firework show on Saturday night, you can try out mine

I got two here (a DIY one, and a third party one like you are buying

)

I'll be shooting the fireworks on the bridge by the Durians ...

Cheers,

airconvent · 4th August 2006

thanks feng wei
I am helping out in a public astronomy observation session at Ting Bahru park this Sat...if any of you can , do drop by. if the clouds are not in the way, I can show you all Jupiter.
Otherwise happy fireworking...

airconvent · 7th August 2006

Hi
I noticed that CYOH recommended 1/30 sec exposure for at 18mm but Feng Wei recommended 4-8 secs at F11. So which method is better suited for fireworks here? Or it it selected based on the effect desired. I can see how the images turned out using 4-8 secs but any sample images for the 1/30 sec exposures? I suspect the fireworks would consist of very thin and dim lines?

ExplorerZ · 8th August 2006

Originally Posted by airconvent

Hi
I noticed that CYOH recommended 1/30 sec exposure for at 18mm but Feng Wei recommended 4-8 secs at F11. So which method is better suited for fireworks here? Or it it selected based on the effect desired. I can see how the images turned out using 4-8 secs but any sample images for the 1/30 sec exposures? I suspect the fireworks would consist of very thin and dim lines?

for me 2-8s is ideal... 1/30 is too fast to capture the full trail of a firework.. all you get is that little burst

alanswan · 8th August 2006

IMO, the fireworks are bright enough to show up on your picture irregardless of settings.
(Quoting my friend, they are like flashes).
For me, it's more of how much of the fireworks you want to capture on your picture.
And how long you want the streaks to be.

I would liken the fireworks to be like a painter drawing in mid-air.
Expose for as long as you want to put the canvas on the moving brush.

CY_OH · 8th August 2006

Originally Posted by airconvent

Hi
I noticed that CYOH recommended 1/30 sec exposure for at 18mm but Feng Wei recommended 4-8 secs at F11. So which method is better suited for fireworks here? Or it it selected based on the effect desired. I can see how the images turned out using 4-8 secs but any sample images for the 1/30 sec exposures? I suspect the fireworks would consist of very thin and dim lines?

1/30s is for handheld without tripod, no IS will help with long exposures of several seconds. 4-8 seconds is for camera on tripod.

Here is a shot taken at SFF 04. ISO 400, f11, 6s.

airconvent · 8th August 2006

Thanks for clarifications, all!
I have another question. Previously I used my Panasonic Lumix FZ5 (with stabilisation) to take some fireworks but the camera always also capture th smoke from the previous burst.
I don't see any of it in your pictures here...how did you get rid of the smoke trails?
Thanks and have a nice day.

1st August 2006	#1
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,095	Fireworks Setting Hi I'm thinking of shooting the NDP fireworks using the Pentax istDL. The ones I tried to take ath National Stadium NDP rehearsal was much less than ideal with blurred images for all shots. I noticed there is a fireworks/night mode. Is this the best setting to use or do you have recommended personal settings instead? I've always assumed for night shots, set ISO to as high as possible (800-1600), open up the aperture to F2.8 or better but I have since other sampe shots using F8 or F11 with 2-4 second exposure. I wonder how these manage to catch the fireworks properly since they normal blow up in 1-2 seconds. Any advice is appreciated.

2nd August 2006	#3
fengwei Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bukit Gombak Posts: 9,067	Re: Fireworks Setting For firework, make sure to use a steady tripod. You'll need to set the camera to B mode, disable the in camera noise remove setting, use a cable release, ISO to 200, aperture sets to 11 to 18 (smaller number, thinner firework traces), just count the time span as 4 to 8 seconds as you wish while keep pressing the suttle button on the cable release, then wish all the best would come out A couple of firework shots to share (taken during CNY): I'd be there on the bridge this Saturday along with a couple of friends to shoot the fireworks. Maybe you guys wanna join too Cheers and happy shooting.

2nd August 2006	#4
kohweeloon Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 177	Re: Fireworks Setting hi guy maybe can organise an outing this NDP to shoot the fire work. what you all think cheer

2nd August 2006	#6
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,095	Re: Fireworks Setting Thanks oh and feng wei How much does a Pentax cable release cost and where can I buy it. I was at Peninsula and Funan but had no luck finding one..

2nd August 2006	#9
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,095	Re: Fireworks Setting cool ...do you mean the cable release is standard for most cameras? thanks...ordering now..hope can get it in time for fireworks festival! ps I just checked the cable release socket and its very small (not the standard audio connector). The one in the picture seems quite big. Can you confirm its really compatible? Thanks! Last edited by airconvent; 3rd August 2006 at 12:04 AM.

3rd August 2006	#13
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,095	Re: Fireworks Setting ok..ok...thanks for the reassurances...heh heh I already arranged to collect from him next week... cheers

4th August 2006	#15
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,095	Re: Fireworks Setting thanks feng wei I am helping out in a public astronomy observation session at Ting Bahru park this Sat...if any of you can , do drop by. if the clouds are not in the way, I can show you all Jupiter. Otherwise happy fireworking...

7th August 2006	#16
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,095	Re: Fireworks Setting Hi I noticed that CYOH recommended 1/30 sec exposure for at 18mm but Feng Wei recommended 4-8 secs at F11. So which method is better suited for fireworks here? Or it it selected based on the effect desired. I can see how the images turned out using 4-8 secs but any sample images for the 1/30 sec exposures? I suspect the fireworks would consist of very thin and dim lines?

8th August 2006	#18
alanswan Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seng Kang Posts: 944	Re: Fireworks Setting IMO, the fireworks are bright enough to show up on your picture irregardless of settings. (Quoting my friend, they are like flashes). For me, it's more of how much of the fireworks you want to capture on your picture. And how long you want the streaks to be. I would liken the fireworks to be like a painter drawing in mid-air. Expose for as long as you want to put the canvas on the moving brush. Last edited by alanswan; 8th August 2006 at 01:08 PM.

8th August 2006	#20
airconvent Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,095	Re: Fireworks Setting Thanks for clarifications, all! I have another question. Previously I used my Panasonic Lumix FZ5 (with stabilisation) to take some fireworks but the camera always also capture th smoke from the previous burst. I don't see any of it in your pictures here...how did you get rid of the smoke trails? Thanks and have a nice day.