The Digital Photography Show #12: Kits for A Canon DSLR and Tips on Photographing Fireworks
The Digital Photography Show #12: Kits for A Canon DSLR and Tips on Photographing Fireworks (MP3 – 16MB – 45mins.)
July 4, 2006: Welcome to the tantalizing twelfth episode of The Digital Photography Show!
Today we’re going to be talking about how to take better pictures of fireworks. Yeah, yeah, I know, this information would have been helpful BEFORE the Fourth of July (at least for us Americans!). But we learn by our mistakes, and Michael is going to be talking about the ones he made photographing fireworks last night. Hopefully, he got some good shots, too.
Here are some expert tips on photographing fireworks.
In the second half of our show, we’re going to be going through my Canon camera bag. Last week, we got an email from a listener asking about some equipment recommendations for his new Digtal Rebel. Well, he and anyone else who’s interested in going to get to hear about the lens and other accessories I think are worth the weight of carrying around.
Here’s what I’ll be talking about. Look them up on your favorite retailer if you’re interested in learning more about them.
Cameras: Canon 20D, Original Digital Rebel
Lenses: Canon EF 50mm 1.4 ($314), Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 2.8 ($470), Canon EFS 10-22 mm 3.5-4.5 ($689), Canon Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM ($509), Canon EF 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO IS ($1150)
Ballhead: Manfrotto 322RC2 ($109)
Wired Shutter Release: Canon RS-80N3 ($50)
Wireless Remote: Adidt R3 ($105) Canon version costs $680! Listener Angus Mac clued me in about the Adidt.
Polarizing Filter: Hoya HMC Multi Coated Circular Polarizing (about $100 when I bought it)
External Flash: Canon 580EX
Cleaning Tool: Giotto Rocketblower
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know what you think of the show by leaving a comment below. And we’d be especially grateful if you’d leave a positive review on iTunes or Yahoo Podcasts. You guys rock.
Scott
July 5th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
Hi guys, thanks for your tips in today’s show! A really good overview of the different items I need to investigate. I can see I need to do some shopping!! Thanks again. Keep up the great shows!
July 6th, 2006 at 4:33 am
Just caught the last show and I wanted to leave you guys some suggestions on a couple of tripods/monopods that seems would be right up your alley! You guys seem to be in the same boat as me. I want equipment that won’t be a burden to carry around so I try to find light yet high quality gear. So here are my suggestions:
These are all Gitzo products, so your Manfrotto ballhead would fit with no problems!
My 1st Choice for a tripod: G-1158T
It’s a new 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod. It’s a mere 2.1lbs and supports up to 9.9lbs. It folds up to a very small 16.1″ when you need to store it. At this small weight it’s lighter than some lenses and should be pretty easy to attach to your tripod straps on your backpack.
My 2nd choice for a Tripod: G-1157
Another new 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod. It’s a bit heavier at 2.3lbs yet still supports up to 9.9lbs. You’ll save on costs if you purchase this model but you’ll sacrifice portability considering its folded length is 23.9″. Still a great choice.
Both of these Tripods will set you back about the same price as a lens but they should last a lifetime. (They include a lifetime warranty at least)
My 1st choice for a Monopod: GM-2560T
A brand new 6x Carbon Fiber Monopod. This bad boy is what I’ve been waiting for. It’s 0.675lbs and supports up to 9.9lbs. When folded up it’s 14.3″ so this puppy can go almost anywhere. This is not a cheap monopod however considering it’s $200 price tag. Though IMO it’s worth it and I’m predicting this will be a pretty hot seller.
My 2nd choice for a Monpod: G-1566 Mk2
This monopod definitely feels sturdy. At 1.6lbs with support for up to 11lbs you can definitely feel the weight difference between these two monopods. However it’s still only 1.6lbs so it’s pretty easy to take with you where you want to go. When folded it’s a small 16.1″. It’s also cheaper ;)
July 7th, 2006 at 2:48 am
In terms of shooting fireworks, this is about the
best starting point I’ve experienced over the years:
- camera on tripod & cable release
- manual exposure and manual focus
- set focus to infinity
- 4 seconds @ f/8 @ ISO 100
Alternatively, do everything the same but shoot
on “bulb” mode with exposure times anywhere between
one to ten seconds (but you’ll still probably find
that for most fireworks about 4 second works best).
CJ
July 7th, 2006 at 7:58 am
A quick tip with regarding checking your sensor (like Michael said on the show), stop your lens right down as far as it will go - so that is F22 for me, then take a picture of the sky. Smaller apertures show up the dirt more and give you a more accurate idea of how clean the sensor is.
Personally, I find that I cannot keep the sensor of my D70 clean enough with a blower brush - even if you hold the camera upside down, chances are, the dust particles will simply be displaced and will jump straight back onto the sensor as soon as it gets charged up again. To remedy the situation, I use pre-prepared swabs and eclipse solution and follow the “Copperhill” technique described here: http://www.pbase.com/copperhill/ccd_cleaning. ALthough I have only resorted to swabbing the sensor a couple of times now, it seems to be OK as long as you follow the instructions and are very careful.
Of course, one day I’d like to have one of those 18-200mm VR Nikon lenses, so I don’t have to swap lenses any more!
Thanks for another good show guys.
Andy
July 7th, 2006 at 10:07 am
Great tips and buying advice everyone. Thanks for the info!
July 9th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Andy,
Thanks for the recommendation about stopping down when shooting up at the sky. I’ll give that a try.
I also wanted to clarify that Scott and I both use the large Giotto Rocket Blower. This is not a blower brush. A blower brush tends to have a rather small bulb which would not provide enough blast to clean the sensor. I would also be concerned about the danger of of the brush touching the sensor. The Giotto is a dedicated blower, and a rather large one at that. It produces a very powerful blast of air which really gets the job done.
A few times I cleaned, retested, and did not get all the dust bunnies, but most of the time it gets it all. I now wear a pair of very strong (over the counter) reading glasses to check the sensor. I can usually spot most of the bunnies directly with the glasses.
I tend to clean the sensor about every 2-3 weeks or before any important shoot. The Rocket Blower is pretty passive and low risk. I would expect that when done right, wiping the sensor with the right pad and solution is the most effective.
thanks.
warm regards,
Michael GW Stein
July 11th, 2006 at 10:32 am
I saw the article you mentioned before going to a 4th of July fireworks show, and took pictures with my point and shoot HP Photosmart R818. I had just about every manual setting enabled: ISO 50 (100 proved too noisy), Focus at infinity, f/7.2-8 (the smallest possible) and exposure 3-4″. This actually worked out better than I expected, a collection of the best results can be seen here.