Space Shuttle Launch

[Joe Butch]

Figured landscape would be the best place for this thread.

I was invited by Nasa to attend the Atlantis shuttle launch and was wondering if anyone had any tips for photographing the launch? I am going to try to get a 300mm telephoto lens before the launch but currently only working with a 50mm and a 18-55mm for my t1i

The launch will be at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:38pm iirc.

[ressalg]

I wish I could be more helpful but I've no experience with taking pictures of a shuttle launch. Sort of sounds like you're on the right track though. On a side note: I'm insanely jealous... how did you get the invite from NASA???

[navcom]

Will you be viewing from the viewing area (causeway) or have you received a pass to one of the areas inside "the fence"? I think you need tickets for the causeway area.

From the viewing area, it's possible 300mm will not be enough...or produce a very small image of the vehicle. It's been awhile since I've been there but if I remember correctly, the causeway is about 6 miles from the pad (for security and safety). The other areas are 10+ miles away.

If you have a larger megapixel camera, you can crop to get a better image.

Also, it will be down range very quickly, so plan ahead or all you will see is a smoke trail!

[equilution]

Joe...I've witnessed 9 launches from the Cape....3 of them from the press tent...the closest point you can get.

If you can get the 300mm, that will be a godsend. Since it's a daytime launch, and since everything happens so fast, I would use it handheld because you'll be able to use a high shutter speed. If you can get a lens with image stabilization or VR, that would be good. A tripod is going to slow you down, and you'll be doing well to come a way with 5 good shots.

If your 300mm source falls through, you can rent 400 and 500 mm lenses from the internet (eg. BorrowLenses.com - Camera Rental and Canon/Nikon Lens Rental) for a reasonable price for 3 days to more than a week. This would be money well spent...if you really want to treasure the shots.

Again, you've got a very short window to get the shots, so take several practice shots in advance to make sure you've got a good line of sight and your settings are correct. Good luck.

Please post the results when you get back.

Jim

[Joe Butch]

I won a twitter contest from @nasa.

I will be in the press area.

That site looks great I will most definitely be borrowing a lens from them.

Any other suggestions like filters or how fast of a shutter I should use?

The press site is approx. 3.9 miles away from the shuttle.


Would this be a good lens to rent? I want to try to stay under $100

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
http://www.borrowlenses.com/product/..._f4.5-5.6_IS_L

Or can someone recommend something different instead? Also, should i opt for a canon extender? http://www.borrowlenses.com/category/canon_extender

[Joe Butch]

Originally Posted by equilution

Joe...I've witnessed 9 launches from the Cape....3 of them from the press tent...the closest point you can get.

If you can get the 300mm, that will be a godsend. Since it's a daytime launch, and since everything happens so fast, I would use it handheld because you'll be able to use a high shutter speed. If you can get a lens with image stabilization or VR, that would be good. A tripod is going to slow you down, and you'll be doing well to come a way with 5 good shots.

If your 300mm source falls through, you can rent 400 and 500 mm lenses from the internet (eg. BorrowLenses.com - Camera Rental and Canon/Nikon Lens Rental) for a reasonable price for 3 days to more than a week. This would be money well spent...if you really want to treasure the shots.

Again, you've got a very short window to get the shots, so take several practice shots in advance to make sure you've got a good line of sight and your settings are correct. Good luck.

Please post the results when you get back.

Jim

Thanks for the advice. How long of a window do you think I will have for the best shots? like 15 seconds?

[equilution]

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?

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