Can Someone HELP Me?

Im going to be taking pictures of an Air Show on April 22. and then later that night pictures of a fireworks display.

My 2 questions are:

What lense wouild be good for both of these?

AND

What settngs are best used for taking pictures of Fireworks?


Also, I have a Rebel XT.

Given what you have in your signature the 18-55 could be ok for fireworks depending upon your placement from them. Let the camera do some of the work for exposure. I always have shot these in AV to have a reasonalbe depth of field, 5.6 give or take and then you end up with a somewhat longer shutter speed (a tripod is a must when shooting these). Check your display and histogram for the first couple and then you are good.

For airshows, I would suggest that you need something around 400mm. Your current lens is not going to do it. I've done some aircraft with my 100-400 and it works very well. A 70-200 with a 1.4 might get you by.

There isn't really one lens that will do both jobs adequately. I used a 70-200 f/4 for an air show last year and was pleased with the results. The planes flew low enough that reach wasn't much of an issue. The best way I found to capture them was panning and using a fast shutter speed (of course). Here is a link to a set of aviation photos. You can find the exif data for individual photos by clicking "More Properties" under "Additional Information" to the right of the screen on the individual photo page.
http://www.flickr.com/​photos/liza_11/sets/60​6594/

For fireworks photos, I believe I used a Tamron 28-75. Here's a link to my fireworks set.

http://www.flickr.com/​photos/liza_11/sets/56​9432/

I got some interesting effects using timed exposures. Shooting RAW is recommended, also. I used some ideas from this newsletter from Porter's Camera Store for shooting fireworks and was pleased with the results.
http://www.porterscame​rastore.com/newsletter​0605.shtml

Hope this helps.

What about this for the airshow: Canon 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 EF III Lens?

I have the II version of that lens and absolutely hate it. Unless Canon improved the optics substantially with that version, I wouldn't recommend it.

For fireworks, you need a cable release and a tripod. Set your camera to M mode and use Bulb. Last 4th of July i took a few firework shots using the 18-55mm kit lens. Scroll down the page to see my camera settings used that day.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=83643

thanks for the help so far.

still trying to decide what lense to get for the air show.

Im on a limited budget btw.

Gizmo; if you're on a budget; the BEST tele lens you can buy is the 70-200 F4.

Pix taken in this gallery were taken with either my 70-200 or 100-400 lens:

http://www.pbase.com/t​dragone/miramar_airsho​w_05

Also; if given the option of high shutter speed or small aperture; go for small aperture.

Unless it's a high speed pass; most people can get the same shot at 1/1000 as 1/4000. Using 1/1000 you can use a smaller aperture; giving you a deeper Depth of Field that may give you some more keepers.

And these were all taken with the kit lens on a tripod with cable release:

http://www.pbase.com/t​dragone/fireworks
(Note the exposure times; you NEED a tripod for fireworks!)

If you're shooting military planes; practice panning and tracking fast objects. If prop planes; search the forum for prop blur
good luck; have fun; don't get stressed; remember sunscreen and hope for good pictures.

I also take a WIDE angle lens and get there as soon as it opens for static shots. spending hours cloning people out of the way is NOT fun; but worthwile!

I an kinda hooked on buying reserved seating now; because this pretty much guarantees you CAN see the tarmac; and that people aren't pushing you and getting in front of you at the WRONG moments!

And most importantly; post pix!

Thanks for the info. nice pics.

Umm, lets say I have only $200 to spend. What lense would be the best. I can always sell it when i get some more money and buy a better one.

If you are taking photos of PISTON aircraft then try no more than 250 th of a sec shutter speed or you will freeze the propellers.
Check the background and clouds,sometimes they can make a photo.

back to fireworks - ISO?

Aperture?

Bulb exposure?

Holy OLD thread!
check out my fireworks link above for sample pictures and exif data.
Also for fireworks in general; look to this master thread
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=341145

yes! thank you! google dug this up for some reason...