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Archive 2010 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

arnold1
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p.1 #1 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

What is the best lens to use for fireworks? I have seen plenty on what is the proper aperture and shutter speed but not much in lenses. Since switching lenses in the dark with so many people around is not an option what would you bring with you?

Have a great Independence Day everyone!

Jul 03, 2010 at 02:58 PM

Gregory Edge
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p.1 #2 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

I usually use my 24-105. It obviously depends on how far away you are and what you want to include.

Jul 03, 2010 at 03:10 PM

WINN
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p.1 #3 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

Gregory Edge wrote:
I usually use my 24-105. It obviously depends on how far away you are and what you want to include.

+1

Jul 03, 2010 at 03:53 PM

dwweiche
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p.1 #4 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

+2. Choose based on what focal length you will need for good framing.

A zoom might make the most sense as you may not be able to "zoom with your feet" if the crowd is too large.

Jul 03, 2010 at 04:14 PM

msalvetti
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p.1 #5 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

But don't think you need an L if you don't have one. You won't usually be wide open, so you'll probably be in the sweet spot.

This was with the 28-135, 28mm, f/11 in Danvers, MA (where I'll be again tonight):

Mark

Jul 03, 2010 at 04:30 PM

arnold1
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p.1 #6 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

msalvetti wrote:
But don't think you need an L if you don't have one. You won't usually be wide open, so you'll probably be in the sweet spot.

This was with the 28-135, 28mm, f/11 in Danvers, MA (where I'll be again tonight):

Mark

Thank you Mark and others for your suggestions. Mark, that is a nice shot be the way; thank you for sharing it. I was thinking of one of the following Canon lenses:

24-105mm L f/4 or
70-200 L IS f/2.8. or
16-35mm II L f/2.8

I was leaning more towards using one of the 2.8 lenses but would the 2.8 really matter if one is shooting fireworks?

Happy 4th!

Jul 03, 2010 at 06:11 PM

dwweiche
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p.1 #7 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

2.8 will not matter

Jul 03, 2010 at 06:19 PM

msalvetti
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p.1 #8 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

No, f/2.8 won't matter because you should be around f/8 to f/11, ISO100.

Do you have a cable release? You'll need that to hold the shutter open in bulb. Check out this recent thread too for ideas on settings.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/912901/0

My Danvers galleries from the last two years are here. The exif data might be helpful:
http://msalvetti.smugmug.com/Family/2008-Fourth-of-July/5324064_9cP7L#325242643_whQTY
http://msalvetti.smugmug.com/Family/2009-Danvers-Fourth-of-July/8819285_6L8Xa#584100711_qC8Lc

Good luck shooting, it's a lot more fun shooting fireworks with digital than it used to be with film. And Happy Fourth to you too!

Mark

Jul 03, 2010 at 06:24 PM

CanonShooter88
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p.1 #9 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

Used my EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM last year, and plan on using it again this year. Works great!

Jul 04, 2010 at 04:28 PM

Dustin Gent
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p.1 #10 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

I used my 17-40 for fireworks a month ago on my 40D. They turned out great, although finding a great spot tonight will be a nightmare, lol.

Jul 04, 2010 at 05:05 PM

Alan321
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p.1 #11 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

I think any modern lens will do a good job - you just need to pick the right field of view for the size of the fireworks you are photographing. Older lens designs are more likely to give you unwanted ghost images of the fireworks due to internal reflections (a characteristic made worse by digital cameras than film cameras).

- Alan

Jul 05, 2010 at 11:12 AM

arnold1
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p.1 #12 · Best Lens for Fireworks?

I ended up used my 24-105 on a tripod with a cable release.

Jul 05, 2010 at 01:47 PM

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