Taking pictures with the shutter open

[RugerShooter]

I seen this topic kind of get started with the running water, but since this is not water and I did not want to get to off topic.

Here are a few pics I took of fireworks setting the shutter open for 5 seconds

[Sombeech]

using a tripod? What camera?

[RugerShooter]

No, I didn't have my tripod, although it would have made it allot easier.
the camera is a Canon PowerShot A610

[CarpeyBiggs]

I can't see any images...

[Sombeech]

How did you set the delay? I've got an older powershot

[RugerShooter]

I can't see any images...

links fixed

[RugerShooter]

How did you set the delay? I've got an older powershot

Set the dial on top of the camera to Tv then on the back of the camera you press the button that lets you scroll through pictures to adjust up or down your time to hold the shutter open

[waltny]

Here are some pics I took of some ground fireworks on the 4th of July. I had to back up some due the brightness of the fireworks overpowering my sensor.
I shot in shutter priority with shutter speeds from 1 sec to 1/2 second, ISO 80 and exposure compensation 0.0.







constructive criticism is welcome [/img]

[Alex]

I think the second image is over exposed. Also, I would have liked to see the full spray of the firework, so backing up mind have composed a better illustration. I like the trailing on the third image.

Did you use a tripod?

[waltny]

Yes they were all shot from a tripod. I had no idea what the fireworks would do as I didnt buy them or check before they went off. My camera, Kodak Z740(selling off my old school BMX collection to offset the cost of a Nikon D80 with the 18-200mm lens) has a serious shutter lag and processing speed. So Ive learned to overcome most situations, but ones like this where things were happening so fast I was scrabling with the shutter speed and distance to try to make up for other limiting factors. These were probally the best 3 I got about of about 50 IMHO. Im not a big fan of the comp of the second pic, but have gotten good feedback on it before(not from other shutterbug affectionanos) so I figured Id throw it out there and see what happens....

[Alex]

Why not go for the D200 if you are getting a D80? I bought the D80 and took it back, I felt like it was too big of a camera for me professionally wise as well as physically. I stepped down to D40, a perfect fit for me. I heard a lot of great stuff about the D200 though.

[waltny]

Why not go for the D200 if you are getting a D80? I bought the D80 and took it back, I felt like it was too big of a camera for me professionally wise as well as physically. I stepped down to D40, a perfect fit for me. I heard a lot of great stuff about the D200 though.

Just cant afford it at the moment. I looked at the D40X but the 3 points of focus, no AF drive for the lens and the fact that the D40 series is not compatable with most of Nikons professional lens was a big factor. The D80 is a huge step up from the Kodak I got now and will serve as a great second camera some day...

[Alex]

True, if you plan on going full out on lenses, then D40 is not a good choice.

[CarpeyBiggs]

Walt,

I think they are all pretty solid. Exposure on fireworks is a total crapshoot, but I'd have to say you've done well on these. Were there any people there? Perhaps you could have included some silhouettes of people watching? That's my only suggestion.

Dan

[CarpeyBiggs]

Just cant afford it at the moment. I looked at the D40X but the 3 points of focus, no AF drive for the lens and the fact that the D40 series is not compatable with most of Nikons professional lens was a big factor. The D80 is a huge step up from the Kodak I got now and will serve as a great second camera some day...

What do you mean the D40 isn't compatible with the lenses?

[waltny]

Just cant afford it at the moment. I looked at the D40X but the 3 points of focus, no AF drive for the lens and the fact that the D40 series is not compatable with most of Nikons professional lens was a big factor. The D80 is a huge step up from the Kodak I got now and will serve as a great second camera some day...

What do you mean the D40 isn't compatible with the lenses?

With some research on the internet and talking with folks down at the camera shop it became evident that the D40 series does not have the drive for the autofocuse lens and most of nikon's higher end lens will not physically fit , to include the "equivalent" sigma lens.

[Alex]

D40 doesn't support lenses with no autofocus lenses as I understand. If you are buying a D40, you are not really going to dump thousands of dollars into high end Nikon lenses or older Nikon lenses anyways.

[waltny]

D40 doesn't support lenses with no autofocus lenses as I understand. If you are buying a D40, you are not really going to dump thousands of dollars into high end Nikon lenses or older Nikon lenses anyways.

This is true, and I dont want to limit myself in case I can luck into a better lens some time down the road. We got to have our dreams right???