VAFB Missle/Rocket Launch...not great pics...

I did not know where else this might be posted. Anyway, I got caught flat footed as there was a missle launch from VAFB tonight, well, about 15-20 mins ago. I recongized the rumble and jetted out the door grabbing the new 40d as I ran down the hallway, lens cap left lying on the floor in my wake...

I had zero time to setup anything on the camera and just started snapping pics. Problem was I had no clue what the settings were and really there is no time to adjust as the thing is gone in moments. Plus all I have until tomorrow is the 28-135mm and the 10-20mm, thank goodness the 28-135mm was on the camera. The last two are in full automode which to me means I can't edit them very well compared to RAW. I know they are not clear but the flame is spectacular none the less.

I WILL in the future have the launch schedule in my PDA and be prepared with camera settings, lens & tripod all setup. Thing is the launches do not always, ok rarely ever, go off on time. So it will be a few nights just sitting on the deck waiting. And waiting...

Oh, yeah those are all hand held...hehehe...

This one is when the rocket was pretty well down range:

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Wow, it must be cool to see a launch although I bet not everyone living within earshot will appreciate it at night.

Well done on the spontaneous captures although I think this is a subject that would be best captured with a video camera....

yeah video would be best...but, hey I can try. Daytime launches if I know they are comming I have a great vantage point and can potentially get some nice clear shots of the body and the flame. I wish I could still get on the base and near enough to grab real pics. But not anymore.

One fun thing is there are none to few classified launches these days. So they actually post a schedule online.

http://www.spacearchiv​e.info/vafbsked.htm

They have some great pics there of course.

As to the noise, the rockets they launch these days, especially at night are very quiet compated to the old Titan's...and the Minutemen...those bad boys were rumblers!!

Yep, that schedule is pretty handy. Maybe time to look at getting the Sigma 150-500 OS....

shhhhh....if I let on I want another lens, this DECADE, I might have to buy her something reallllly 'spensive, you know like shoes a set of new "eatin' teeth"??!!! As if we need MORE of those around here....shhhhh....be vewryvewry quiet...but yeah, I like new ideas!!! hehehehehe....actually I've been drooling over that one since I found out about it.

I've managed to capture two of them over the years...

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nice John, those are sweet. I love those twlight or early AM launches...the colors are awesome. Were you around back in the 80s when the big one blew up about 15 secs after launch? I was on harris Grade the moment it blew (well they blew it up on purpose, so they said anyway) and was so very happy to be heading OUT of town, though it was beautiful...no camera though, bummer.

brecklundin wrote in post #5761623
nice John, those are sweet. I love those twlight or early AM launches...the colors are awesome. Were you around back in the 80s when the big one blew up about 15 secs after launch? I was on harris Grade the moment it blew (well they blew it up on purpose, so they said anyway) and was so very happy to be heading OUT of town, though it was beautiful...no camera though, bummer.

Nope, missed that one. I'm in San Diego so I only see them after they get to altitude and head down range towards Hawaii. That, coupled with the setting sun is what gives the look you see in my shots.

John,

That's how they look from my neck of the woods too. I work in a public safety dispatch center and get some of the most interesting calls when these become visible!

Dan