Space Shuttle Launch Night time advice?

[msmith82862]

Hi everybody,

I need to ask for some advice. I'll be heading to FLA in a couple of weeks to see a night time launch of the Space Shuttle. Since I'm really new to photography, I don't want to screw this photo op up. Can anyone give me some advice on how to capture this shot? I've tried night time photography a coulple of times...just enough to see how difficult it can be.

I have a Nikon D40X with two kit lenses, 18-55mm and 55-200. I also have a Manfrotto 190xprob tripod.

Should I pick up another lense? What ap/shutter speed do you think?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

M

[TXhummer2]

http://www.phototrek.org/Travel/STS-93/exposure.html

[Joe_Lorenzini]

While I have no advice to give except to look up images of nighttime launches to see what's been done I'd give my shutter finger to have your dilemma!

Joe

[popawalker]

Thanks for the link Harris, it helps. I just got an invite for next weeks launch so I'll be trying to secure a 600mm lens. Marshall, hope it goes off on schedule.
Steve

[MicWayWal]

Sorry wrong weekend.

[popawalker]

Ok, here's one of my shots using the info from the link.

[TXhummer2]

Wow! We'd love to see the rest!

[MicWayWal]

Steve,

Would you please share more images as well as:
1. What was it like?
2. Where you were located to take this image?
3. Was it easy to get there with the crowds and all?
4. Was it worth it?

[Orogeny]

Wow! What a wall-hanger!

I'm a bit surprised that 1/60s was sufficient to avoid motion blur, but I guess that you were far enough away that it didn't make any difference. I wonder how fast that thing is moving at that point of the launch.

Great shot!

Tim

[popawalker]

Michal, it was awesome, when it got above the smoke cloud the flame and reflection off the cloud made it almost as bright as day. I was on the Nasa causeway,about 5-6 miles away. I was with a corperate group and we rode a bus in so it was easy, even going through security. Yes, it was worth it. If I get to go again I'll take at least 3 cameras and various lenses.
I hope to get a couple more up this week, ust that my main editing computer is acting up.
Steve

[msmith82862]

Steve,

That is a fantastic shot. I was there too and I didn't get anything but a bunch of abstract art. I was on the causeway and had a 600mm lens but unfortunately, being new, I really didn't know what I was doing. I was hoping to get lucky I guess. I had it mounted on a Manfrotto 190, but the slight wind coming off the bay was just enough to blur my shots before lift off and the light after ignition blew out my exposure.

But the truth is, this was on my bucket list and I had decided that even if I didn't get a good shot, just being there was enough for me.

I also took a tour bus from Orlando. All in all, it was a long day, but well worth it. I'm definitely going back. But some say that was the last night launch for the shuttle, so I may have to try a day launch.

Again, good work!

Marshall

[popawalker]

Marshall, glad you made it out too. Yes the wind was giving me fits, I went with the exposure recomendations from Stan (the guy in the link) but bracketed them with the camera set for rapid fire and using a remote so I could watch.
It is the last scheduled night launch and with only 10 more before the program ends, I am going to try to make another one, would like to see it in daylight now. Of course if they do decide to do another night launch I'll try my best to get there again, got some ideas for improving my shots. Where were you on the causeway, we were at a countdown clock.
Steve

[MicWayWal]

Steve,

I am glad you had a great time. You have got me excited to go. I have put off going to a launch for years now. I am going to make plans to attend the next launch scheduled for February.

We ought to get a group of people from TPF to go. Split the costs of travel and hotel. Make it a photo safari.

[dcopeland]

Just an FYI.. since there were mentions of not having another night launch in this thread.. Thought I'd mention that the launch currently set for STS 128 (Discovery) on Aug. 25th 2009 at 1:36am is a night launch.. Will be there two fisting cable releases waiting/hoping for a launch..

[jonnydonut]

I know nothing about shuttle launches, but I assume they're a lot brighter than one might imagine, and that at night, they overpower any light source around.

The ability to change your settings on the fly will be crucial. Maybe you'll a a chance to ask an experienced shuttle photog out there what settings are best.

Here's what I would do on he fly with no prior knowledge or research. ISO 400, F/8, and in Av aperture priority mode and then setting the exposure down one stop.

Shoot in RAW. Be prepared to have a whole lot of lens. like at least 400mm. A 1.6 crop camera would be nice. Also be prepared to adjust on the fly, I wouldn't let the camera go below 1/100 personally. Use a tripod and maybe even a shutter release cable. Use live view to focus, then turn it off.