Filming fireworks with a DSLR?

[Evilmerlin]

I would like to try my hand at filming the NDP fireworks and was wondering if the techniques are similar? So small aperture on the lens? Any other tips and tricks?

 

[Xinwen]

Let me add some of my thoughts regarding Filming Fireworks with a DSLR. In the aspect of still photography, you are stopping down your aperture to like F16-22 because you want to compensate for your slow shutter speed because you want to capture the motion of the sparks and lights. But for video I don't think it's essential and required unless you're doing it in a creative point.

There are few variable for you to tweak in a DSLR.

Shutter speed: Having own a Mark IV, I guess the shutter speed is limited, from perhaps 1/30 - 1/4000. A good rule of thumb to is to set the shutter speed at 2x your frame rate. So if you're shooting at 1920x1080 25p. You should ideally set it to about 1/50. Of course you're not obligedto stick to it

Aperture: I feel that something around F8-11 is excellent. You can adjust it to either compensate for your shutter speed. Due to the fireworks spark's intensity, therewould be a compromise between exposing for your highlights on the fireworks sparks or the background illumination, having tested shooting on my camera before f11 is ideal! I recommend that.

ISO: Be sure to not set your ISO on AUTO mode as the camera would vary the ISO itself depending on the light level. I won't recommend that! Start off with 100, the lowest and minimal grain and noise and tweak from there.

Focus: There is no AF function for Video Mode in DSLR, make sure that you focus manually. If you cant guage the focus. set it to infinity.

Bring a tripod as well! You don't want to handheld it! A small shake is not really very desirable unless you have the intention of doing it in a creative point of view!


Just my thoughts! Hope it helped. Do share with us the footage you shot! Cheers

 

[Evilmerlin]

Thanks for the tips! I'll have find some time to try it this weekend!

 

[SilentL]

Thanks for the tips! I'll have find some time to try it this weekend!

Mind telling me which day and time is it?

 

[Evilmerlin]

There are NDP rehearsals going on every saturday at the Padang and there will be fireworks display as well , not the full one but enough. IIRC, the fireworks starts around 1830 or so?

 

[SilentL]

There are NDP rehearsals going on every saturday at the Padang and there will be fireworks display as well , not the full one but enough. IIRC, the fireworks starts around 1830 or so?

Thanks. I got the full info on etour-singapore. 31 July will be the full fireworks display as it's the preview. And it starts at 7.30pm to 8.00pm.

 

[bblurrr]

saw this at youtube, taken using 5D Mk II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCl9bnrSH2c

 

[jasonjoseph]

That looked pretty awesome. hope the poster can come on here and us his settings.

i personally dun think u can shoot at f8-f11 unless u boost ISO in to the 1000+ region, by which time u will start mistaking the grain for fireworks. i would get your fastest lens available.

MBS looks like a great place to shoot the fireworks.

 

[Evilmerlin]

That's a nice video! Think I'll send a message to him and see if he can share how he took it.

 

[Jemhadar]

Went down last Saturday to test out my GH13.
Shot the fireworks FHD at F4.5, ISO 250, shutter 1/50

Can watch it here,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRNUk7EDsw0

Cheers!

 

[jasonjoseph]

Evilmeriln how did your shoot go ? what settngs did u use?

i'll be shooting on national day itself.