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Setting for hot air ballon festival at low lite and moviment.
Nov 1, 2018 11:36:32   #
maritzajf Loc: Florida
 
I am going to hot air ballon r festival, it is at Sunset time and the boll us are moving. I am taking the tripod and use a fairly hi ISO. I want to be sure about the setting.

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Nov 1, 2018 11:37:21   #
SteveR Loc: Michigan
 
Gimp. The balloons should not be moving too quickly, so you shouldn't need anything like 1/250th or higher, but start with the lowest speed you think that you can get away with. Use shutter priority, set your ISO, and let the camera choose the aperture. The lower you can go with your shutter, the narrower aperture, better dof and sharper photos you'll get. Play around, too, with the ISO to see just exactly how high you really need to go. You might be surprised since the balloons will be lit up.

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Nov 1, 2018 14:21:24   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
I agree with Steve. Meter when the flame is running / the balloons are glowing on some quick test shoots and time your keepers when they're glowing with those settings. I shoot manual, but shutter priority with a fixed ISO will give much the same.

My night shots are showing a lot of 1/30 to 1/50 at ISO-3200 and higher, but also smaller apertures and some are at complete night.

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Nov 1, 2018 15:10:37   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
If it's not full dark yet, then I agree in principal with what's been said. However, there may be times when your composition requires overriding any auto setting so that you don't end up over- or under-exposed. Metering on a glowing balloon seems like a good start, especially if you are filling the frame with one or more. Do you shoot in raw? Doing so will give you more latitude with exposure when editing. Check your results on your LCD as often as you can.

Be flexible about the tripod too. You may find the action happening too fast to set up a shot. Also, we generally think of tripods as being an aid when using slower shutter speeds, but if you set the shutter speed too slow you could end up with motion blur of people and/or balloons. Can you hand-hold at 1/50 second, the recommended starting shutter speed of Chg Canon?

Here is an article you might want to look at:
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/learn/education/topics/article/2018/october/photographing-the-balloon-glow/photographing-the-balloon-glow

.

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Nov 1, 2018 17:13:09   #
maritzajf Loc: Florida
 
Thank you, now I have great information and I am ready to have fun !

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Nov 1, 2018 21:59:59   #
rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA
 
maritzajf wrote:
I am going to hot air ballon r festival, it is at Sunset time and the boll us are moving. I am taking the tripod and use a fairly hi ISO. I want to be sure about the setting.


Depends on your camera and lens. WHat are you using? A combination of f/stop and shutter speed with a reasonable ISO may also work, particularly if you're shooting on a tripod and not hand held.

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Nov 2, 2018 07:25:57   #
waynetgreen Loc: Florida
 
Must be Tampa Glow. Don't recommend a tripod, too slow, too many people. Higher ISO and shutter priority is the way to go. Remain mobile at all times. Set up a tripod and someone will walk in front of you, guaranteed, lol. See you there.

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Nov 2, 2018 08:02:41   #
Dan Mc Loc: NM
 
A tripod at a balloon glow is like hauling around a boat anchor! Hand hold that camera!

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Nov 2, 2018 09:10:44   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
maritzajf wrote:
I am going to hot air ballon r festival, it is at Sunset time and the boll us are moving. I am taking the tripod and use a fairly hi ISO. I want to be sure about the setting.


Spot meter the balloon. Lock in exposure using the proper button on your camera, recompose to your liking, and shoot.

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Nov 2, 2018 09:11:44   #
billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM
 
I do the international fiesta in Albuquerque every year. Leave your tripod at home. Mono pod might be okay. You don't need real high shutter speeds, the balloons are not fast. I usually shoot manual with a shutter around 1/60 to 1/125 and an f stop that will give the depth of field that I want, then leave the camera in auto ISO with a limit of about 3200.

#1 is pre-dawn very low light with lasers in the background f4, 1/20sec, ISO 6400. #2 daylight f16 1/125 sec. ISO 400. #2 sunrise f22 1/125sec. ISO 400.


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Nov 2, 2018 14:57:31   #
maritzajf Loc: Florida
 
I have a Nikon D 7200 and my glass 18-400 that I use most of the time. Also : 70-300. 55-200. 18-55. 10-20. I think that with the 18-400 I could cover most of the situations and I will take the 10-20 in case there is some good oportunity for WA shot.
Thank you for the help!

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Nov 2, 2018 19:38:54   #
aubreybogle Loc: Albuquerque, NM
 
billnikon wrote:
Spot meter the balloon. Lock in exposure using the proper button on your camera, recompose to your liking, and shoot.


I regularly shoot dawn (before sunrise, in the dark) launches at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and evening "Glowdeos" in October. Leave the tripod at home. With the possible exception of photographing balloons being inflated on the ground from a distance, it will only be a burden and will not improve your photos. A monopod is much more functional in this shooting environment. If you have the opportunity, walk among the balloons and take photos as they are being inflated. Then look for high terrain at the launch site to photograph the flying balloons. I am assuming your 18 - 400 mm lens has to be the Tamron. That should be a fine choice. Shutter speed 1/60-1/125. As balloons launch, you will need a faster speed if you are close or using a longer focal length. ISO 800 -1600 depending on your cameras noise and how dark it is. As always, take a few test shots and adjust accordingly, and enjoy.

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Nov 2, 2018 19:46:09   #
ronz Loc: Florida
 
Tripod not necessary, unless you are shooting with a gimbal I wouldn't bother. I take a reading off the green grass in same light as balloons. Set to about 1/200 second, f8-f11 and adjust ISO and needed. Shot some in AZ a few years ago for a magazine and it was a lot of fun. I found there are quite a few in Florida who fly and was surprised to find how many magazines need them, especially with the sponsor on the balloon.

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