Advice needed: Fireworks

[THXGEEK]

It has been literally decades since I've attempted any fireworks pics... If I'm lucky, I'll be in a prime spot to capture the 4th of July display in Washington DC next week. If not lucky, I'll likely be watching the display in my local community...

So. What words of wisdom can you offer to capture wonderful pics? Which lens? Shutter speed? Exposure time? ISO?

Please lend me your wisdom!

TIA!

 

[Alan Clark]

Use a trpod, unless you want to be creative.

The focal length would depend on how far you are from the action, but a mid-range zoom would be ideal.

Low ISO as they are bright.

Exposure is not critical, you can vary the exposure from a small fraction of a second to several seconds, producing different effects. I like to use the bulb setting so I can easily vary the time and decide when to end the exposure.

If you want the foreground in the picture then expose for that.

I suggest you look on Flickr or elsewhere for firework photos to see examples with exposure info.

 

[Williams359]

My go to settings for fireworks are f8 iso100 and 6 to 8 seconds .

• ILCE-7M4
• FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM
• 16.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 6 sec
• ISO 100

 

[Alan Clark]

Another point: do not use Long Exposure Noise Reduction. When the exposure is over 1 second, this feature causes the camera to take a second exposure with the same exposure time but the shutter closed, so you cannot take another shot during this time. (With low ISO it is not needed anyway).

 

[Williams359]

Another point: do not use Long Exposure Noise Reduction. When the exposure is over 1 second, this feature causes the camera to take a second exposure with the same exposure time but the shutter closed, so you cannot take another shot during this time. (With low ISO it is not needed anyway).

Good point, it did catch me out when I first moved to Sony

 

[PhotoRon]

For narrower streaks, use a smaller aperture. If you want wider ones, then lens almost wide open. My typical settings are ISO 200, F/8 and hold the shutter open for 2-3 bursts. Pretty much similar to Williams359's. Of course, use a tripod.