Balloon festival - Which lens would you take??

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
Going to a balloon festival later. I dont want to carry a bunch of lenses. I have my cheapos 18-55 and 55-200. My 35/1.2 and 50/1.8. I have the 35-70/3.3-4.5 and 85mm macro. Also a manual 28/3.5. Or..., should I just load up my bag with both cameras and lenses?
 

Disorderly

Senior Member
Here are some uncropped shots I took at the Great Reno Balloon Race a few years ago with my D200. They'll give you an idea of the range I needed:

F/3.8, 1/6, ISO 400, 22mm, tripod
1187.jpg


F/7.1, 1/200, ISO 100, 24mm
1196.jpg


F/8, 1/250, ISO 100, 130mm
1189.jpg


The Reno event begins in total darkness, so a tripod is worthwhile if it isn't too heavy. (And so is good low light performance; looking forward to trying out my D800 at high ISO next weekend.) After that it's more about wide angle than telephoto, although individual balloons in flight are easier with a long lens.
 
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Just-Clayton

Senior Member
Thanks for the info. We will be there around 3pm. No night shots. I might go ahead and put the 18-55 on my 3100 and the 35 on the 300s. I will take the 55-200 along also.
 

nikonpup

Senior Member
18-55 and 55-200. If this is your first balloon festival you will not know what to shoot first. Check festival web site for possible alternative photo locations other than the launch. Local rally has balloons doing a
dip in the river. Glow or night shots are great.DSC_0051_edited-1 (1800x1192).jpgDSC_4187 (1800x1197).jpg
 
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Just-Clayton

Senior Member
Well the balloon festival was great. I got a lot of shots from the car show, gliders and balloons.

Nikon pup. I started with the 18-55 and 35mm. But switched to 55-200. Here are a few. I'm still fixing and cropping the ones i want to keep.
_DSC1962 (425x640).jpg_DSC1963 (425x640).jpg_DSC1981 (425x640).jpg
 
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