D5500 Fireworks - First Try

whbowers

New member
I'm new to DSLR and tried firework photography last night for the first time. I had the camera on a lightweight tripod, saved pictures in RAW format, 14-bit at full 24MB resolution, sRGB color space, 18mm focal length and didn't use picture preview in the interest of speed. The lens is an AF-S Nikkor 18-55 1:3.5-5.6 G II.

I took a few pictures on auto, no flash first, just to see what it did.

DSC_0031.jpg


After that I used manual mode with what seemed to be the average settings that I found in my Internet research: Bulb shutter release, minimum ISO 100, manual focus at infinity, F11. Originally, I planned to use my cell phone or tablet as a WiFi remote shutter control, but decided to just use the shutter on the camera. All went well for a while, but then the clarity degenerated greatly.

DSC_0049.jpg


DSC_0111.jpg


I took about 115 pictures over about 18 minutes during the entire show. Any thoughts as to what went wrong? I scaled the pictures down as jpegs, but can provide details of the NEF files if it helps.

Thanks for your help and advice.

Bill Bowers
 

nickt

Senior Member
It looks like you lost focus. Everything else is the same, just a small change in shutter. Maybe you bumped off your infinity spot. You probably noticed: infinity is usually not bottomed out, but slightly backed off from that point. Maybe VR not turned off? Probably not, you said it started out good. I'll go with losing focus.
 

whbowers

New member
Don,

Thanks for the help. I think I had the VR and ISO noise reduction off, but will make sure next time. Unfortunately, I won't get to try it again any time soon! Thanks again for your help.

Bill
 

Roy1961

Senior Member
Contributor
if you can remember for next year, take a re look at fireworks threads and look at what others used for settings, it will be fresh in your head then, that's what I do, as you say its a once a year thing.
 

whbowers

New member
Nickt,

I should have read your reply more carefully. Don's 'like' looked like the signature. I apologize for not addressing my reply to you. Thanks for your help.

Bill
 
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