Best camera for fireworks?

We are going to Disneyworld and would love to get some good shots of Sectromagic and the fireworks shows this time. I have a TZ5, a FZ18 and a Fuji S8000. Will any of these cameras do the trick? If not what camera would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

I'm pretty sure the TZ5 (and earlier models) have a "fireworks" mode. The trick is: turn OIS off and put your camera on a tripod to get long exposures. Turning OIS off is a signal to the camera's software that your camera is on a tripod, if you don't turn it of it limits your exposure time to I think 2 seconds if I remember correctly. Which wouldn't be bad for fireworks, but a bit more is better.

You don't need extreme telephoto or really wide aperature for fireworks. You can look at tutorials on the web, they say use f/8 at ISO 100 for some arbitrary number of seconds. Fireworks are bright, but they move; so they don't overexpose one spot on the sensor.

Now the FZ18 is a different kind of camera than a TZ5 and if you're willing to carry it there are certainly some shots it can get that a TZ5 couldn't. If you're willing to learn to control the FZ18 - to use it in M (manual) mode, then you won't even need a fireworks mode! Just set it to ISO 100, f/8 and about 3 seconds exposure (not at all critical) - you still need a tripod, but you don't need to turn OIS off, the camera is under your control, no magic signal needed.

Here's one example from last year. FZ7, 3.2 seconds, f/8, ISO 80. 49mm equivalent.



In fact, here's a link to the whole gallery. You can find out the exposure of each picture by clicking the "i" button in the menu that comes up on the right when you mouse over the enlarged picture on the right.
http://JoeS.smugmug.com/gallery/3092435_9SwfG/1/168967755_AdqzU

It really helps with fireworks to eliminate camera shake during the long exposure. Use a tripod as suggested and if the camera is able to, a remote shutter. This eliminates the tiny bit of movement from your finger on the shutter button. Doesn't seem like much but it does make a difference. No squiggles in the arcs of the falling embers.

If the camera does not support a remote shutter, use the 2 second timer.

FZ20 @ f5.6, 2.5s, iso 80, Tungsten WB



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Newsy FZ20 user
http://newsy.smugmug.com

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Taken with TZ5, quite some distance away

Works for me, you have the right camera



Ann

At what point do you push the button to take shot? When the rocket is first fired and you see it going up? or when the firework has just exploded? I'm sure there is a technique for the timing of the shot too.

Thank you all so much. Thanks for sharing your own pictures as well. I love them. Would you mind helping me find the right tripod please? The experience level on this board is so much help to newbies like me. I have a little twistable, I think it is called robot something, table type tripod but I'd love a full size one that folds down very small. Obviously I'd rather have something not too heavy if that is possible. I'd like to be able to use the TZ5 or the FZ18. Then, as asked above, how do you shoot the picture, very carefully? I know neither of these has a remote. The TZ5 won't even allow for the wire thing, not sure on the FZ18, but I'll go check on that. Again, thanks for sharing. You are all a great help!

When to shoot?

It depends....

After a couple of fireworks shows you get the feel for what is coming based on what you observe being launched.

A flash of a certain size followed by the sound of the launch tells you if it is a big shell which allows you to gauge when to push the button. With direct control over the shutter, I usually wait a half second to second and then actuate the shutter for high flying shells when I have an open shutter of 2 to 3 seconds.

The beauty of digital is that you can check on the fly if you caught the moment and then adjust.

However, some of my best shots have come from simply keeping the camera shooting continuously.

I cannot emphasize enough.... keep your hands of the camera while the shutter is open, use the 2 second timer, use a tripod or some kind of solid mount. Careful about using a car for a base to place your tripod on.

You want nice smooth trails as the embers fall - no squiggles!

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Newsy FZ20 user
http://newsy.smugmug.com

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I don't think there's a "wrong" tripod for fireworks, especially if you use the 2 second shutter delay (although I don't think I did). Let me explain:

For fireworks, the tripod doesn't need:
multiple leg angles

center column that can be made horizontal or used upside-down (camera under the tripod) or split into two pieces (useful if the legs can go straight out, and the center column can't go horizontal; you need a really short center column in that case.)

About the only thing it does need to be is a solid support. If it vibrates, then you will need the 2 second delay, that's a pain. Has to be set on each shot.

So, you could find a reasonably priced tripod with braced legs (therefore only one leg angle) and it will work fine for fireworks.

If you want a more flexible tripod, that does have multiple leg angles, and whose center column can go horizontal, then you're looking at a significantly more expensive tripod. I spent about $160 for Manfrotto 190XProB tripod legs and maybe another $60 for the head I chose, Manfrotto now has 055XProB (Pro = center column can go horizontal), Gitzo has several center column angles. It can be really useful, but not needed for fireworks.

Many companies, including Manfrotto, SLIK, Velbon etc offer less expensive tripods that are still very good, and would be just fine for fireworks.

Very helpful. Thank you!