Which Lens for Fireworks: I have a Canon 60D and several interchangeable lenses. I've never photographed fireworks before and have an opportunity to do so from an apartment rooftop.

PhotoBiker Loc: Charleston, SC

I have a Canon 60D and several interchangeable lenses. I've never photographed fireworks before and have an opportunity to do so from an apartment rooftop. Which would be the best lens to use for fireworks? I've read about the other important things to consider: have a tripod, manual focus on lens, switch to bulb, have a remote, etc. Just didn't see much online re: lenses.

My lenses include: 1) 50mm, 2) 55-250mm, 3) 40mm, 4) 10-18mm.

I'll be about 2 miles away from where the fireworks will be launched but have a clear view from an apartment building rooftop.

Thanks for the anticipated suggestions.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

2 miles - I'd say the 55-200.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Tripod an long shutter.

PhotoBiker Loc: Charleston, SC

PhotoBiker wrote:

I have a Canon 60D and several interchangeable len... (show quote)

I'll carry the 55-250mm with me then and have my tripod and remote to shoot a long exposure (bulb). And I read to focus on infinity so I'll try that.
Thank you.

MtnMan Loc: ID

PhotoBiker wrote:

I'll carry the 55-250mm with me then and have my tripod and remote to shoot a long exposure (bulb). And I read to focus on infinity so I'll try that.
Thank you.

From what I have read 4 to 6 sec is what you want.

Best to shoot in M and with manual focus. Set focus near infinity with gage on lens. F11 or so. ISO 200.

Check first ones and adjust accordingly.

That's what I'll be doing.

PhotoBiker Loc: Charleston, SC

MtnMan wrote:

From what I have read 4 to 6 sec is what you want.

Best to shoot in M and with manual focus. Set focus near infinity with gage on lens. F11 or so. ISO 200.

Check first ones and adjust accordingly.

That's what I'll be doing.

Thank you. I've created a 'cheat sheet' from comments I've found online and your suggestions are pretty much spot on. Couldn't find much, though, on which lens to use but I'll bring my 55-250mm.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

PhotoBiker wrote:

I'll carry the 55-250mm with me then and have my tripod and remote to shoot a long exposure (bulb). And I read to focus on infinity so I'll try that.
Thank you.

Use Live View to focus on the fireworks at the beginning of the show, then set your focus to manual.

Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

At two miles away definitely the 55-250. Get set up early so you won't be fumbling with settings during the display. Use ISO100, F11 and bulb mode with a wired remote usually works great.

PhotoBiker wrote:

I have a Canon 60D and several interchangeable len... (show quote)

PhotoBiker Loc: Charleston, SC

Larrymc wrote:

At two miles away definitely the 55-250. Get set up early so you won't be fumbling with settings during the display. Use ISO100, F11 and bulb mode with a wired remote usually works great.

Besides the lens choice everything else you suggest was what I found online. Thx for your reply.

AnnaZ Loc: SW Wis.

I'm lucky...............I get to be about 75 feet away!

PhotoBiker Loc: Charleston, SC

AnnaZ wrote:

I'm lucky...............I get to be about 75 feet away!

Sounds great Anna.

I'll be in Savannah GA on a rooftop looking towards the riverfront. Should be spectacular. I'm excited.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Lenses?
You'd do whatever you normally do shooting an object 2 miles away; it depends on your intent.

As for the exposure, I say use the black card technique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC4eYCCGSgc

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

As to focus on infinity, I've always use Live View to get my focus sharp on the first few bursts (tripod, remote control and bulb mode), then switched to regular mode for the rest of the show. I pressed the remote as I saw the trail heading up into the sky, through the bloom, and let it up after the burst was no longer expanding.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

And remember you are photographing flashes of light. ISO 400 F22 bulb, ISO 200 F16 bulb , ISO 100 F11 bulb. You don't have to use bulb but it gives you better control, you can just set it for 10, 20 or 30 sec. but bulb allows you to stop the picture at a good point. Been photographing fireworks since 1976 and will guaranteed the exposure settings.

PhotoBiker Loc: Charleston, SC

wmurnahan wrote:

And remember you are photographing flashes of light. ISO 400 F22 bulb, ISO 200 F16 bulb , ISO 100 F11 bulb. You don't have to use bulb but it gives you better control, you can just set it for 10, 20 or 30 sec. but bulb allows you to stop the picture at a good point. Been photographing fireworks since 1976 and will guaranteed the exposure settings.

Thank you. I plan to use bulb and will dial in ISO 100, f11.