New Fireworks questions

[ScottACousino]

Hello, I am new to the forum as a poster but have been lurking for a few months.

I have used the search and read up quite a bit on the do's and don't for fireworks and have settled on starting with the following.

5D
24-70 f2.8L set between f8 and f11 focus set in manual
Bulb Setting with manual release
Manfrotto 321 Pro with 322RC2 grip ball head


My questions are:

Filter Use?
Hood Use?

Will be setup on rooftop at Mudhens Game in Toledo, OH for aftergame fireworks show, Fireworks will be about 100 feet from my location, exploding about 30 to 40 feet above my altitude (due to my location on roof)

Any help would be appreciated, I've read most of the links in the other fireworks theads but they didn't specify Hoods or Filter use and most seem to be taken from ground level at a greater distance.

Only reason I can see for the Hood might be the setting is downtown between buildings, lights etc, don't know if it will help or hurt.

Thanks
Scott

[PhotosGuy]

Help with fireworks (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=485427)

[SkipD]

Don't use any filters. They would be likely to cause problems. A hood would definitely be a good thing to use.

For exposure, I generally use ISO 100 and f/8 to f/11 along with "bulb" for the shutter speed. I hold the shutter open as long as desired for the particular fireworks burst.

Usually, I use a tripod with a ball head set loose enough to be able to move the camera but giving it enough support so that I can hold it steady when the firework bursts.

[braduardo]

My questions are:

Filter Use?
Hood Use?



No.
Yes.

Hopefully it will be dark enough to make the fireworks really stand out.

[ScottACousino]

Thanks guys, got some okay pics, I can see this is a real learing curve.

Scott

[Cody21]

can you post a couple of examples for us to critique?

[ScottACousino]

These are straight out of the camera as .jpg, I don't have the software yet to shoot in raw.

This was my first time with a hurry setup as we were delayed getting back to the car and setting up.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks002.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks003.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks006.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks007.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks008.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks012.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks013.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks014.jpg

[ScottACousino]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks015.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/Fireworks016.jpg

[ScottACousino]

Here is link to the album if you want to see any of the Data as I don't know how to embed it.

http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y160/ScottACousino/Fireworks/

[OdiN1701]

One thing that I do - I bring along something I can cover the lens with.

I use bulb mode. With the lens covered (black cardboard or something) I open the shutter. Remove the cover just before a burst goes off, then cover after a bit and wait for another burst, uncover, etc. Do 2-3 bursts or more depending on what you want for a multiple exposure type shot. This also helps to reduce the trails of the fireworks as they shoot up into the sky.

You do need a tripod of course, and you don't have to touch the cover to the lens, just get it close. With the darkenss and the dark cardboard you won't be getting much extra light into the lens.

[gooble]

Anybody know what the best WB setting is?

Does long exposure NR benefit enough to justify the possible missed shots by having to wait the length of the shutter opening for it to finish?

[SkipD]

Anybody know what the best WB setting is?I use "daylight" with my DSLR and use ordinary daylight film when using a film camera for fireworks.

DO NOT use the AWB setting (or automatic exposure control) with a DSLR. I am fairly certain that you would wind up with garbage in either case.