Which lens for fireworks?

Rhuarc

SO this weekend I'll be shooting the firworks a friend of mine is going to put off for 4 hours on the 4th. he spends several thousand each year, and it is a pretty impressive show. I want to rent a better, and possible wider, lens this year. Right now the widest I have is 18mm, and that is kit lens.

Here are someof the shots I took last year with my kit lens at his show:
http://photos.wendellbeitzel.com/gallery/3111410_QjxQo

I am trying to decide between renting:

Canon 10-22
Canon 16-35/2.8L

What I was kind of thinking is that I might want something that will allow me to go wide enough to get some of the people sitting down and still get the full firework. I'm kind of assuming the 10-22 would be able to go wide enough for this? I'm also assuming that since I'm stopping down some (longer exposures) that the sharpness between these two lenses wouldn't be a big issue.

Just looking for some opinions!
Thanks!

ziggy53

These are from last year:

http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=590420&postcount=45

Canon 1D MKII, Canon EF 17-40mm, F4L USM. Most are at f8 and 3 seconds, ISO 100.

Part of your answer is dependant upon the height and breadth of the fireworks and proximity to yourself and camera. I suggest that if you are close to the fireworks, the 10-20mm might be nice.

dlplumer

ziggy53 wrote:

These are from last year:

http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=590420&postcount=45

Wow! Those are great Ziggy Could you give us a couple of pointers regarding F/stop, shutter speed, exposure time etc.

dlplumer

Sorry, you already did

Shima

I plan to use my 17-55 f2.8 IS USM this year. I used my 24-105 f4/L IS USM last year, I'm looking forward to getting wider this year

My previous 3 years of fireworks attempts:
http://photos.cathoffman.com/Holidays/548879

2007 - Rebel XTi + 24-105 f4/L IS USM
2006 - Canon Powershot Pro1
2005 - Canon Powershot Pro1

This year's plan - EOS 40D + 17-55 f2.8 IS USM

paullantz

fireworks
Last year I used a 24-70 f2.8 lens on a 1D Mk IIN.
I was right up underneath where the fireworks were going off, at times I wished I had a wider lens.
I found it necessary to track the projectiles and then take the shot once I knew where they would explode.
I stuck pretty much to 4 second exposures.
I think you will want at least the 17-55 for width. I use a 40d a lot and that is one lens that is interesting me a lot at the moment.

http://paullantz.smugmug.com/gallery/3083853_5Pm5h#168660277_Ze4Y4

Lovesong

Last year I went with a 24-70 on a 5D. Most of the shots I took were at either 24 or at 50mm. I think the 16-35 would be about right for an APS.

Manfr3d

Wide angle lenses are only good if you plan to include the surrounding in the fireworks shots.
The light is so bright that you will often use an aperature of f8 or f11 at ISO 100
(otherwise you will only see white fireworks and not get the colors well).
If that is what you plan to do, then any of the lenses you suggested will be fine.

But I would also recommend to bring a tele with 300mm or more. You will
be able to get some great detail off the specatcle in the sky. Here is an example
of what I mean:


Tamron 70-300/4-5.6 lens @ f11, 4s, ISO100

dlplumer

Very cool. Does one need to do much PP with these or do they come out of the camera pretty much as shown?

Manfr3d

dlplumer wrote:

Very cool. Does one need to do much PP with these or do they come out of the camera pretty much as shown?

I shot this in RAW and only increased contrast and saturation in PP.

If you shoot JPEG and use Contrast +1 and Saturation +1 or so,
I woudn't be surprised if you get the same effect.

The critical part is is to get the exposure right. Remember the
aperature controls how bright the fireworks is and the exposure
time controls how long the trails are. When you start shooting
check your display and adjust the aperature if the fireworks are
overexposed. I typicaly use f8 or f11 and shutter speeds between
1 and 6 seconds (camera always in manual mode) and get
consistent results.

If you care, you might want to read my all time favorite photographing
fireworks tutorial, it has everything you need to know:

Link: http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-fireworks/

dlplumer

Thanks Manfred. That was excellent.

Photoskipper

I started with Rebel XT and the 18-200 4 years ago and found not wide enough to cover the huge firework. Got the Tamron 11-18 and use till now.
When the I got the 5D, I use the 24-105 and set it to about 30mm for most of the fireworks.
Last night, I use both the Rebel XT with 11-18 and the 5D with 24-105. Just wait for the delivery of 17-40 mm so that I can get closer to the firework and may use it for the main firework next month.

Xoote

Great shots.

ziggy53 wrote:

These are from last year:

http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=590420&postcount=45