Space shuttle advice

[sgstandard68]

Anybody have useful tips for photographing a night space shuttle launch on the premises of Cape Canaveral?
I have a 40D and a 100-400L IS and a sturdy monopod.

Suggestions on best focusing, metering, exposure would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[shybull]

I'm assuming you'll be at the Nov 14th launch. I plan on being at Spaceview Park myself.
Anyone? Surely someone here has photographed a night launch.

[asysin2leads]

Hint, hint.

Scroll to the bottom of the page and look at the left.

[ry317]

I'm going as well; going to try the 70-300 DO with the XSI on a tripod and see how it works out. I too am wondering what would be the best settings to capture the night launch from across the bay. If I had to guess: 1/100th, f8, ISO800.

The threads below didn't really have any great info...

[sgstandard68]

I have received some advice from someone who's been there that the best settings are ISO 400, f/8 1/250 for a liftoff image.

For a time exposure to show the arc of the shuttle's flight, he recommends
a 16mm or wider lens, ISO 100, f22 and use a polarizer to cut the brightness.

[wally0206]

I am planning of going aswell,but this is my first time to attend. is there any paticual place you go to shoot the launch? or is everyone all in one spot when it is time for lift?

I think it will be fun!

[ry317]

If you have never been before, the place you want to go to is Titusville. Take RT50 (off of 95 or from Orlando) and take it all the way to US1. From there take a left, go up about a mile or so and you will see a McDonalds on your right. Go past it, and you will soon see a restaurant with parking on your right; that's the place to be. If you get there early enough you can park your car there, then put your camera on a tripod right on the waters edge. I've found this is the best view outside of buying the tickets and actually going across the causeway to the space center.

[equetefue]

what are you setting ry317 ?

any samples ?

[ry317]

http://gallery.me.com/rdonaher#100366

Be kind... I took these THE day I got the camera with the 55-250 on a tripod. That whole shooting with a level horizontal was new to me...

Either way, these were taking from the spot I described above. Hope this helps!

[equetefue]

That is a pretty good spot... Nice shots !

I guess the 400mm won't cut it eh ?

What kind of lens you need to get close ups ?

[ry317]

The best telephoto money can buy...

I'll be using my 300, wish I could get my hands on a 500mm or more though!

[equetefue]

what time you going to be there ? will there be plenty space for tripods and such. I'll be there for sure ry317

[Blue Deuce]

I haven't looked at my thread in months but I think everything you need to know is within through out the post. Bear in mind when assessing them the noise really manifests itself at the posted resolutions. The 50mb tiffs are gorgeous.

I have several more over the years but have never posted them on POTN.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=467740&highlight=night+launch+space+shuttle

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=468888&highlight=night+launch+space+shuttle

Should have put together a pamphlet and sold it. I have probably been PM'ed 100 times in the last year asking how to photograph the shuttle :rolleyes:

If you need any further advice contact me and I will try to help, time permitting.

[ry317]

I will be there for sure; I would think it's going to be VERY crowded. It's a Friday, and only at 8PM, AND it's a night launch. The last night launch I went to over the summer was CRAZY busy and it was at 2AM and during the week....

I'll be working in Orlando in the AM, was planning to have lunch in the city, then head out around 3PM or so. Hopefully that will put me there around 4 so I can beat the after-work rush.

[ry317]

I haven't looked at my thread in months but I think everything you need to know is within. Bear in mind when assessing them the noise really manifests itself at the posted resolutions. The 50mb tiffs are gorgeous.

I have several more over the years but have never posted them on POTN.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=467740&highlight=night+launch+space+shuttle

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=468888&highlight=night+launch+space+shuttle

Should have put together a pamphlet and sold it. I have probably been PM'ed 100 times in the last year asking how to photograph the shuttle :rolleyes:

If you need any further advice contact me and I will try to help, time permitting.

Amazing photos, and thanks for the info!

[wally0206]

Hey ry317 do you remember what the name of the resturant is?

[ry317]

Hey ry317 do you remember what the name of the resturant is?

Google Maps Link (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3657+S+Washington+Ave+titusville,+fl&sll=28.57368,-80.798191&sspn=0.001232,0.002114&layer=c&ie=UTF8&ll=28.574799,-80.798414&spn=0.009855,0.016909&t=h&z=16&g=3657+S+Washington+Ave+titusville,+fl&iwloc=addr&lci=lmc:wikipedia_en&cbll=28.573065,-80.798348&panoid=5fAaWIrDqCxrijd381yT8A)

That should do it!

[equetefue]

how many miles from there to the launchpad ?

[ry317]

Around 6 I believe

[vr6pwns_me]

Getting ready to leave in about an hour and a half from Tampa. Leaving at 9 and dealing with I4, I hope its not terrible :rolleyes:

And I hope getting there around 12 is ok too. The GF didnt want to get there at 9am and be there for 12 hours. As excited she is, being her first time, she'd get grouchy and bored haha

[equetefue]

it's at 7:54pm right ?

excited... torn between the spot you said and Space View Park.


bringing 1d2 + 400. Dunno if Ill get any decent pics at all...

[Blue Deuce]

From the horses mouth.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-redtips120706,0,6250679.story

[equetefue]

Thanks !

You going to be there Blue ?

[Blue Deuce]

Thanks !

You going to be there Blue ?

Not this time. Well not really sure. I had to deal with the passing of my mother in law last week thus I am really playing catchup with my business obligations.

If I can get off early enough I might head towards Kelly Park and try for a time exposure.

Good luck guys.

[ry317]

Not this time. Well not really sure. I had to deal with the passing of my mother in law last week thus I am really playing catchup with my business obligations.

If I can get off early enough I might head towards Kelly Park and try for a time exposure.

Good luck guys.

Sorry for your loss...

One of my appointments today got moved so I will be there a little later than I was originally hoping for. I still plan to go to that restaurant, but I should be there around 4.

I'll be there by myself so if anybody wants to hang out to kill the time let me know.

[MacDogg]

Good luck. Make sure you post a few pics up for us!

[vr6pwns_me]

Not sure how they're going to turn out, being at the visitor complex was tough, 300mm at around 6 miles. Gonna have to crop a bit and hope for the best...

And might I add, TRAFFIC SUCKED! 4 hours to actually get MOVING at a decent speed on SR528. FOUR HOURS! It took us 2.5 to get there from Tampa. So it ended up being a little over 6, and got home at 2:30 AM. NOT a fun experience, almost makes me not wanna go back just because I'm not dealing with the traffic. Or I find a new place to watch...

[equetefue]

Pictures posted.

[ry317]

Not sure how they're going to turn out, being at the visitor complex was tough, 300mm at around 6 miles. Gonna have to crop a bit and hope for the best...

And might I add, TRAFFIC SUCKED! 4 hours to actually get MOVING at a decent speed on SR528. FOUR HOURS! It took us 2.5 to get there from Tampa. So it ended up being a little over 6, and got home at 2:30 AM. NOT a fun experience, almost makes me not wanna go back just because I'm not dealing with the traffic. Or I find a new place to watch...


Usually it's not that bad... it was just super crowded Friday.

So you had tickets to go over to the visitor complex?

[ry317]

Here are the best pictures I got. I'm a little disappointed, should have brought up the ISO to 400. I used 1/640, f8, and ISO200 @ 300mm.

http://gallery.me.com/rdonaher#100374

[Blue Deuce]

Here are the best pictures I got. I'm a little disappointed, should have brought up the ISO to 400. I used 1/640, f8, and ISO200 @ 300mm.

http://gallery.me.com/rdonaher#100374

I don't think ISO at 400 who have made a significant difference in these photos. A lack of reach, and heavy crops are the shortcomings in these which still are not that bad.

Did you shoot raw ?

[ry317]

I don't think ISO at 400 who have made a significant difference in these photos. A lack of reach, and heavy crops are the shortcomings in these which still are not that bad.

Did you shoot raw ?

Yes I did, and all I did was crop the photos. I know nothing about PP yet. Still trying to learn the basics.

[equetefue]

Look a little like mine... Great pics all things considered. I was debating between ISO 100 or 400 and settle for 100 due to wanting low noise in pics.

I shot manual at the whole thing and handheld

[ry317]

Look a little like mine... Great pics all things considered. I was debating between ISO 100 or 400 and settle for 100 due to wanting low noise in pics.

I shot manual at the whole thing and handheld

You didn't use a tripod? Wow, very nice. The extra reach really made a difference in your photo, and the better gear, and i'm sure there's a little skill there too! :)

I saw somebody there Friday with a really big L lens; it was one of the larger primes and was easily the largest lens I have ever seen.

[equetefue]

pretty happy with the results for such a long distance. Tell you what, shooting manual is not easy at all with such a small window to shoot this fast thing

[sgstandard68]

Here are a couple of shots from the Endeavour launch on 11/14.

[equetefue]

awesome shots !!

[ry317]

That is amazing. I take it you had tickets to go over to the Nasa Causeway? What kind of lens and settings did you use? :cool:

[sgstandard68]

Thanks!
The pics were taken from the NASA causeway.
The first was taken with a Canon 40D, 100-400L, ISO 400, f/8, 1/500, mounted on a tripod. I had a Tamron 1.4x converter which I put on and off a few times while waiting for liftoff. I ultimately decided that the image was ever-so-slightly sharper without the converter and left it off for the shot.

The second pic was a time exposure taken with a tripod mounted Canon Rebel XT, Sigma 10-20mm zoom (set at 11mm), 0.9ND filter, f/22, ISO 100. I used a wireless remote for this shot.