Handheld fireworks
It’s not easy shooting fireworks amongst a crowd of people, and it’s sure not easy anticipating, so a rapid frame rate helps, and I found the buffer of the 5D Mark II somewhat lacking for the task (using RAW).
A 1/320 shutter speed gave me reasonably good results, but 1/500 probably would have been better. I didn’t use the D3x because I was sure they’d prohibit it at the venue, indeed I was hassled over the 5D Mark II, but eventually given the go-ahead. The guy behind me was using a Canon DSLR with a tripod to video the symphony performance, precisely why they give legitimate people a hassle. What a boring video, that guy must have time on his hands.
I used my favorite lens for night shooting, the Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-R. Whoah, buy one of those while you still can—they’re discontinued, so very hard to find new at this point. The 90/2 APO produces beautiful sunstars even a f/2.8, though in this case the motion blur even at 1/320 sec diminishes the effect a bit (smoke too).
I tried to capture some decently interesting blast of motion. Being closer would have helped. Maybe next time I’ll try the 180/2.8 APO.
