Buzz Light Year ride at MK - settings?

[mskateb]

Ok, I'm just learning photography, and I feel like every time I get on a low light ride, I just bomb everything. I would love to get something right on my next trip (starts tomorrow!), and I wondered if anybody would mind sharing their settings that worked for them? Maybe if I have a better starting point, i'll have better results. I'll be shooting with my Nikon D7000, and I'm bringing my 35mm 1.8 lens. Thanks for any help!

 

[havoc315]

You'll want the aperture at 1.8.... Then use the fastest shutter speed and lowest ISO you can get away with. Because of all the movement on the ride, you won't want a shutter speed any lower than 1/80, and I'd try to keep it faster -- 1/125 or faster.
You probably don't want ISO higher than 6400, but I'd be ok going as high as 12800 if totally necessary.

I'd suggest trying a shot in A-priority mode, with ISO manually set to 6400. See what shutter speed that forces the camera to choose. If it's choosing 1/125 or faster, you're set pretty well. If it's choosing a much faster shutter speed -- like 1/500 or faster, then you can actually reduce the ISO to 3200 and get better image quality.
If the shutter speed is coming in too low -- below 1/80, then you will need to boost the ISO a little higher.

I'm not sure how auto-ISO works on the D7000. If you can set the parameters of the auto-ISO, you may want to leave it in auto ISO mode, with a minimum shutter speed set of 1/80 or 1/125. Then just shoot at Aperutre-1.8... But make sure the results are coming in ok or you'll need to make some quick adjustments.

 

[mskateb]

That's great advice, thanks! I will try it. I've never used an ISO that high, maybe that's my problem. I'm honestly not even sure what my upper limit is. Guess I'm about to find out.

 

[littlekidagain]

Last year the only day I went on Buzz it was raining in MK. I was shooting with a Pentax K5 & 18-55 WR kit lens. Both are water resistant. Here is one of my shots. It was shot at f/4 @ 18 mm, 1/30, ISO 5000. I don't think you will have any issues.

[url=http://www.dantefrattophotography.com/p142521354/e3f6217ce][/URL]

 

[boBQuincy]

I have had good results with 1/60 @ f/1.4 ISO 1250 (Program mode, which is what I use most of the time unless I want a certain effect from A, S, or M).

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

BL 1 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr

This one was at f2.2, 1/100 and 1600 iso. By clicking on the image it will take you to a series from the Buzz ride and you can see the EXIF info.

 

[mom2rtk]

My suggestion would be to get in your own ride car. Having someone spin the car just as you are about to shoot makes it even harder.

Also, consider shooting on burst (or whatever Nikon calls it) so you can take several shots in quick succession. My second or third in a series like that is usually sharper because of the tiny camera movement from pushing the shutter button.