Rebel 1
Loc: Woodbridge, New Jersey
I am going to a balloon fair this coming Saturday. I rented a Nikon 16-80mm f/2.4-4E lens to use with my D500. Is this lens camera combination sufficient
Thanks
Rebel 1 wrote:
I am going to a balloon fair this coming Saturday. I rented a Nikon 16-80mm f/2.4-4E lens to use with my D500. Is this lens camera combination sufficient
Thanks
Quite good for most shots. If you have a moderate telephoto, you might want it to capture balloons in flight. Otherwise, up close is far more dramatic.
I don't know if it will be sufficient but it is the D500's kit lens. Personally I'd go with something with a little more reach.
How close are you going to be allowed to get?
Cdouthitt wrote:
How close are you going to be allowed to get?
Yes!
If you are allowed close while they are inflating, it leads to dramatic images!
Might want something wider than the 16 (24mm ff equivalent) if that’s the case.
Still look forward to seeing what that lens can do on the D500. I hear good things about it.
See if you can get in one of the balloons to shoot up into it when they light the fire.
Rebel 1
Loc: Woodbridge, New Jersey
Hopefully at least 50 to 75 feet.
What shot are you after? Do you want wide showing the grandeur of all the balloons rising in sweet light, or close up dramatic with the gondola operator as the subject and flames in the background? Thinking about what you hope to capture, will help you decide on what lenses to bring along.
It'll do, Rebel. You should be wide enough to get the whole balloon in the shot without having to leave the area. At 80mm, you can zoom in on some interesting details. Going to a balloon fest myself soon. Have a great time.
I have that lens and camera combo and it is very sharp! You also could use a zoom like a 70-300 for tight shots. When I go to balloon festivals I use two cameras with the aforementioned lenses because the action is very fast one can't keep changing lenses. They all launch at once and within 15-20 min it's all over. Set your camera to shoot vivid colors!
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Rebel 1 wrote:
I am going to a balloon fair this coming Saturday. I rented a Nikon 16-80mm f/2.4-4E lens to use with my D500. Is this lens camera combination sufficient
Thanks
Depends on how close you can get to the action. I use a 24-120 on a full frame and your close to that. I was in the field with them and got some great shots.
billnikon wrote:
Depends on how close you can get to the action. I use a 24-120 on a full frame and your close to that. I was in the field with them and got some great shots.
Yep, that's what I'm planning to use in August at a balloon fest, 24-120mm. Rebel should do well.
If you have something with a little more reach I would recommend it. I live right down the road from Solberg airport and go every year. I use my 18-25mm lens and it is perfect for everything. Did you know photographers can come at 6:30 am on Friday and get right in amongst the balloons as they are inflating? That’s the best for great shots. Good luck. Please post some shots.
I think that lens will be fine. Get there early and scope out the surroundings carefully. When the balloons are being inflated you will want get get up close to the action. You can often get shots of the inside of a balloon as it is being inflated. When the balloons begin to rise, I suggest a spot on the highest ground nearby you can get to quickly where you can see them float gently up into the sky getting multiple balloons in each frame. Hope for little wind and clear skies. Hot air balloon festivals are finicky. Whether they actually happen or not is completely dependent on the weather.
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