Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Butch
Thanks for the advice. How long of a window do you think I will have for the best shots? like 15 seconds?
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You'll probably have about 45 seconds of cool photo opps...from pre-ignition all the way through throttle up, after 17 seconds. Shoot in high speed burst mode, especially at a fast shutter speed. There's no way you'll miss getting that perfect shot. Just make sure you have enough memory in the camera to take about 300 pictures in that short time!
If you go to Nasa's website (or Youtube), you can "simulate" what you would do during the launch by watching a real-time video to get a feel for how it all goes down.
Here's a link to a launch on Youtube:
YouTube - 2006 space shuttle launch
You'll have plenty of light (presumably), so you'll pretty much be able to use as fast a shutter speed as you want...I wouldn't use any less than 1/500 or 1/800th sec...1/1000 would be better if you have enough light at 300 or 400mm...otherwise, bump the ISO up to 400. This will also eliminate any hand-shake since you'll be using it handheld. No filters...they cut the light, and you can add whatever effect you want in PP afterward.
I would use 100 or 200 ISO since you'll be using a hi power lens. That way the noise (if any) will be negligible.
100-400mm would probably be fine. I wouldn't recommend a converter since you'll be shooting handheld. 800mm handheld will be near impossible.
That 100-400 would be great. If you carry a tripod with you for some static shots, I would definitely have the converter to go up to 800mm. You'll be able to get some super static shots of the shuttle on the pad prior to liftoff. Make sure you allow enough time to get the camera off the tripod and remove the converter before liftoff.
Jim