Shuttle Launch Advice

Ok... I'm going to be in Florida in October and I plan on making it to the Shuttle launch on the 8th. The launch is scheduled for 1:43AM.

I have a Rebel XT and the Kit lens and a 70-300 Sigma. Will that be enough to get any decent shots? Also any advice? settings I should try first etc?

I'm hoping to get to the closer observation point which is about 6 miles away.
Considering this is a night launch I'm will be dependent on whatever light is at the launch itself I am not sure there are any flashes that reach THAT far *grin*

I think you're going to want to shoot on manual exposure.
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I have no idea how you should shoot this, but I was able to witness a launch around 7 years ago. I saw Columbia take off at night at around 12:30 AM, it was amazing. It looked as if the sun was coming up.

Enjoy!

Night launches are awesome. Get there early because it gets packed and lots of traffic.

well tickets go on sale Aug. 25th... I plan on buying as soon as possible.

Take marshmellows.

Should I look at renting a lens with more reach?

Nah, just stand closer. That's why you're taking the marshmellows

tim wrote in post #6134278
Nah, just stand closer. That's why you're taking the marshmellows

Hehehe good one
But seriously... this is something I would try if I wouldn't be on other side of the world, where they don't launch rockets. With no real thinking, so I don't know which option I would choose, I have two ideas for doing same shoot. I would have one long exposure, so you get nice night shoot of landscape around it, and then I would want another shoot (or part of original exposure) of Shuttle half way through the sky. Now how to do it? I don't know, I should think a bit more about this, but because I don't feel like, I will just give you two options that come to my mind, and you do thinking
One is to calculate exposure so, that you end exposure when shuttle is half way through the photo. I would say it shouldn't be problem to do this, since those things are pretty accurate... if everything goes fine. I guess shuttle and flames on back of rockets are bright enough to have nice photo of shuttle included in long exposure started way before launch itself.
Second option is to combine two shoots.... one long exposure of landscape, and another, from same position (tripod of course), when you have short enough time to catch just shuttle when speeding through the sky and everything else is of course black, but it doesn't matter, because for that you have previous frame. With film, this would be simple with double exposure, but with digital, you would need some more time spend in PS
But there's one problem. I have no idea how those observation points are. If there's full of people and whole lots of light, I guess this won't work. If you are somewhere in middle of grass/desert/swamp (sorry I have no idea what's around that place), I think it should work.

well the closest I can get is 6 miles. They don't let civilians any closer. and I have One camera to work with....

Canon 1200mm FTW.

Its gonna be pretty dark so manual exposure. As for something 6 miles away, well you might need to crop quite a bit if you want a closeup of the shuttle.

Maybe think about renting a 500mm for the event?

I like the rent a longer lens idea. Have options.

Then when you arrive at the closest point, you won't be alone. I suspect you will be able to compare notes with dozens of others around you, many if not most who have been there before. They will likely be your best source.

Otherwise, I would search the web for web sites with shuttle launch sites, and e-mail the photographer and just ask. I suspect this is so unique that those who have already done the trial and error will be the best source . . .

yeah I checked lens rental awhile back... got any good sources and am I looking at spending hundreds of dollars to rent a lens? I mean yeah its less than thousands to Buy, but if funds are limited both are equally out of reach

Hey Jpatten, I'm in the same boat as you. I'll be down in Oct for the launch and trying to figure out the same things you are. I'll PM you if I find anything.

Good luck getting tickets. I've already got my fingers crossed!

BC

thanks...will do