fireworks and film?

gokenin · 03-31-2009, 05:18 AM

I was on another board and someone asked about the best camera for fireworks and it got me thinking. What would the best film be for shooting fireworks? I am guessing that you would want at least a 400 film speed? and you would probably want to shot in bulb mode?
I have to admit I only shoot film during the day have been nervous to shoot at night. I know i'm a film noobie so still getting my feet wet

any advice would be helpful and which would you choose as far as a camera to use between the Spotmatic II the ME and the PZ-1P for this? My guess would be the ME for my personal choice but am interested in your opinions.
Sorry for the long winded excursion

Gooshin · 03-31-2009, 05:45 AM

cheap superia 200, semi-hand-held on a window sill, maybe 10 seconds,

there is no such thing as "fireworks" film...

practice with digital first to get the timing right, the rest is the same.

geauxpez · 03-31-2009, 01:00 PM

Nice photo Gooshin!

As for the OP question concerning camera models -- you are asking about 3 VERY different cameras: The Spotmatic is fully manual, the ME is fully aperture priority and the PZ1p can pretty much do it all in a newer, but arguably less durable body (I'm sure I will get blasted over that comment). Though it might cost a tad more, I would recommend an ME Super which gives you aperture priority, manual and a nice, compact metal body. Are you choosing from cameras you have or are you considering purchasing one?

gokenin · 03-31-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally posted by geauxpez

Nice photo Gooshin!

As for the OP question concerning camera models -- you are asking about 3 VERY different cameras: The Spotmatic is fully manual, the ME is fully aperture priority and the PZ1p can pretty much do it all in a newer, but arguably less durable body (I'm sure I will get blasted over that comment). Though it might cost a tad more, I would recommend an ME Super which gives you aperture priority, manual and a nice, compact metal body. Are you choosing from cameras you have or are you considering purchasing one?

I have all three cameras and was thinking the ME would be the better one to use, but was trying to ask if there is any real diffrence between using a 200 over a 400 iso film? would you recommend bulb setting or just a long exposure would have to find a shutter release for an ME if i go that route ? these were the things i was trying to get to in my original question.

geauxpez · 03-31-2009, 04:45 PM

Ah -- ok then. Honestly, I don't think it matters which camera as long as you are not concerned about the batteries going out in the PZ1p.

Remember that fireworks are pretty bright so you don't need super-fast film for them.

Here are a couple of sites with pointers:

Calphoto

Smithsonian

71Matador250 · 04-04-2009, 09:55 PM

Mount your camera on a steady tripod. Use the bulb setting and a good old cable release. Watch a series of bursts and frame the shot you want. Release the shutter and allow several bursts to fill the frame. My typical exposure is around 5 seconds. As far as f stop i generally use 100 speed film at around f8 for sharpness and the 100 speed to reduce the chances of city lights below the burst causing a glow along the bottom of the frame. Best of Luck! Take a look at this one. https://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/index.php?n=4845

Mechan1k · 04-05-2009, 06:35 AM

Put it this wya ... when using Digital and shooting fireworks ... I used ISO 100.

So for fireworks I'd be using a 100 speed film if possible.

I think I had similar settings to what Matador above mentioned

Just have a nice stable tripod ... cable release and in bulb mode.

03-31-2009, 05:18 AM	#1
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899	fireworks and film? I was on another board and someone asked about the best camera for fireworks and it got me thinking. What would the best film be for shooting fireworks? I am guessing that you would want at least a 400 film speed? and you would probably want to shot in bulb mode? I have to admit I only shoot film during the day have been nervous to shoot at night. I know i'm a film noobie so still getting my feet wet any advice would be helpful and which would you choose as far as a camera to use between the Spotmatic II the ME and the PZ-1P for this? My guess would be the ME for my personal choice but am interested in your opinions. Sorry for the long winded excursion

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03-31-2009, 05:45 AM	#2
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	cheap superia 200, semi-hand-held on a window sill, maybe 10 seconds, there is no such thing as "fireworks" film... practice with digital first to get the timing right, the rest is the same.

03-31-2009, 01:00 PM	#3
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	Nice photo Gooshin! As for the OP question concerning camera models -- you are asking about 3 VERY different cameras: The Spotmatic is fully manual, the ME is fully aperture priority and the PZ1p can pretty much do it all in a newer, but arguably less durable body (I'm sure I will get blasted over that comment). Though it might cost a tad more, I would recommend an ME Super which gives you aperture priority, manual and a nice, compact metal body. Are you choosing from cameras you have or are you considering purchasing one?

03-31-2009, 01:57 PM	#4
gokenin Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: lowell,ma Posts: 1,899 Original Poster	Originally posted by geauxpez Nice photo Gooshin! As for the OP question concerning camera models -- you are asking about 3 VERY different cameras: The Spotmatic is fully manual, the ME is fully aperture priority and the PZ1p can pretty much do it all in a newer, but arguably less durable body (I'm sure I will get blasted over that comment). Though it might cost a tad more, I would recommend an ME Super which gives you aperture priority, manual and a nice, compact metal body. Are you choosing from cameras you have or are you considering purchasing one? I have all three cameras and was thinking the ME would be the better one to use, but was trying to ask if there is any real diffrence between using a 200 over a 400 iso film? would you recommend bulb setting or just a long exposure would have to find a shutter release for an ME if i go that route ? these were the things i was trying to get to in my original question.

03-31-2009, 04:45 PM	#5
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	Ah -- ok then. Honestly, I don't think it matters which camera as long as you are not concerned about the batteries going out in the PZ1p. Remember that fireworks are pretty bright so you don't need super-fast film for them. Here are a couple of sites with pointers: Calphoto Smithsonian

04-04-2009, 09:55 PM	#6
71Matador250 Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Duncan,OK Photos: Gallery Posts: 71	Mount your camera on a steady tripod. Use the bulb setting and a good old cable release. Watch a series of bursts and frame the shot you want. Release the shutter and allow several bursts to fill the frame. My typical exposure is around 5 seconds. As far as f stop i generally use 100 speed film at around f8 for sharpness and the 100 speed to reduce the chances of city lights below the burst causing a glow along the bottom of the frame. Best of Luck! Take a look at this one. https://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/index.php?n=4845

04-05-2009, 06:35 AM	#7
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	Put it this wya ... when using Digital and shooting fireworks ... I used ISO 100. So for fireworks I'd be using a 100 speed film if possible. I think I had similar settings to what Matador above mentioned Just have a nice stable tripod ... cable release and in bulb mode.

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