Going To A Hot Air Balloon Festival - Need Lens Advice Please: This Saturday, if the weather holds. I'll be using my D800 and wondering what lens(es) I should take. My choices. All FX:...

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Going To A Hot Air Balloon Festival - Need Lens Advice Please

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May 21, 2014 14:08:44 #

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

This Saturday, if the weather holds. I'll be using my D800 and wondering what lens(es) I should take.

My choices. All FX:

16 -35 Nikon f4
24 - 70 Nikon f2.8
70 - 300 Nikon f4.5 - 5.6 (mid quality)
150 - 500 Sigma f5 - 6.3 (Overkill ?)

Never having been to one, I can use all the suggestions I can get.

Thanks,

Don

May 21, 2014 14:12:25 #

legion3 Loc: Deer Park Long Island

I would use the 70-300 also take the 24-70 for ground shots

May 21, 2014 14:18:58 #

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

legion3 wrote:

I would use the 70-300 also take the 24-70 for ground shots

I bet the 24-70 will get the most use.

May 21, 2014 14:23:51 #

aammatj Loc: Zebulon, NC / Roscoe, Ill

smith934 wrote:

I've only been to a few, but the 16-35 works great for pre-takeoff and the 150-500 would be great for post takeoff (and landings)

May 21, 2014 14:31:54 #

wilbmeister Loc: Jamestown, NY

I have crewed and photographed balloons for 20 years. Many of your shots could be while they are inflating on the ground. You can get good closeups of the inflation. You will want some wide angle shots as they inflate so you can get many balloons in one picture. The palette of colors is amazing. As they take off you will be able to get many of them in one shot. You will need a zoom to get in close on one or two together as they fly away. The types of pictures are endless as there will be so many different types of shots available.

May 21, 2014 14:43:31 #

GrayPlayer Loc: Granby, Ct.

Wide angle shots of inflation from both ends if possible. Color and action a plus.
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/photography-tips Courtesy of the New Mexico festival.

May 21, 2014 14:43:53 #

Pkroner

[quote=wilbmeister]I have crewed and photographed balloons for 20 years. Many of your shots could be while they are inflating on the ground.

Get ready for anything but you'll probably not have much time(or want to take the time to change lens, etc. My pics were with a Nikon Coolpix P90. This camera allowed me some close-ups of surroundings and quickly to distant objects. I'm happy.

May 21, 2014 15:19:51 #

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

smith934 wrote:

This Saturday, if the weather holds. I'll be using my D800 and wondering what lens(es) I should take.

My choices. All FX:
16 -35 Nikon f4
24 - 70 Nikon f2.8
70 - 300 Nikon f4.5 - 5.6 (mid quality)
150 - 500 Sigma f5 - 6.3 (Overkill ?)
Never having been to one, I can use all the suggestions I can get.
Thanks,Don

Smith, I've never shot hot air balloons. But from what I've seen, inflation is at near darkness.
You don't have any fast lenses. For dawn you should try to get a 35 or 50 1.4.
Once the day starts to set in, your 2.8 will probably handle most of it.
I don't imagine you're gonna chase them around, but just do lift-off.
With what you have, you'll have to crank up the ISO a lot, but only till it gets daylight. So you may want to use auto ISO, that way you aren't constantly lowering the ISO with the constantly emerging light. Good luck. ;-)
SS

May 21, 2014 15:39:02 #

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

legion3 wrote:

I would use the 70-300 also take the 24-70 for ground shots

Thanks, that was my thinking but figured it better to ask

May 21, 2014 15:41:27 #

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

Cdouthitt wrote:

I bet the 24-70 will get the most use.

Looking at the schedule of events, you're probably right. There is a 'Hot Air Balloon Glow' after dark that it may be just the ticket for.

May 21, 2014 15:42:33 #

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

aammatj wrote:

I've only been to a few, but the 16-35 works great for pre-takeoff and the 150-500 would be great for post takeoff (and landings)

Thanks for the advise, maybe i drag my Grandson along and use him as a 'caddy' :)

May 21, 2014 15:44:13 #

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

If you're are able to get close, you'll want your 16-35.
Last time I was at a launch I use the 10-20 on a DX camera.
Also used the 17-55 and 70-200.
These were in the evening.

10mm on DX

12mm on DX

May 21, 2014 15:44:58 #

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

wilbmeister wrote:

I have crewed and photographed balloons for 20 yea... (show quote)

Thanks. Maybe it would be better to put the 70-300 on my D7100 and use the 24-70 0n the D800.

May 21, 2014 15:45:59 #

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

GrayPlayer wrote:

Wide angle shots of inflation from both ends if possible. Color and action a plus.
http://www.balloonfiesta.com/guest-guide/photography-tips Courtesy of the New Mexico festival.

Thanks for the link.

May 21, 2014 15:50:44 #

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

[quote=Pkroner]

wilbmeister wrote:

I have crewed and photographed balloons for 20 years. Many of your shots could be while they are inflating on the ground.

Get ready for anything but you'll probably not have much time(or want to take the time to change lens, etc. My pics were with a Nikon Coolpix P90. This camera allowed me some close-ups of surroundings and quickly to distant objects. I'm happy.

Thanks. You should be happy, nice shots. Might be a reason to take two cameras, one with 24 to 70 another (DX) with the 70 to 300.

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