Anybody ever shot a shuttle launch?

[mkilgour]

So i'm going to try and see the next launch this month, its going to be a night launch around 1 AM. Anybody have and ideas or pointers. The max telephoto I have is 200mm so I would probably rent something longer.

[mpphoto12]

i have never shot one but i have always wanted to. I think you will ned at least a 400mm maybe rent like the 400 5.6? or if you have the money the 2.8 or f4? i would love to see the results because it must be hard considering you only have one chance to do it right. good luck

[samoksner]

The 500mm f4 is probably your best bet. Probably with a tele converter (1.4x) The shuttle is REALLY far away from where people are allowed. However, metering is going to be tricky, spot metering in manual i would think... Good luck and have fun.


May i recommend inquiring about the lens renting in advance as opposed to 2 days before...

[mkilgour]

Yea I was just looking at the 500 f/4 on lensrental.com, the viewing site is 6 miles from the pad.

[mpphoto12]

oh wow 6 miles? wow good luck i would rent the 1200 5.6 lol

[Chuck Lee]

I'll be praying that the shuttle launches on time so that you can get a chance to photograph it!


I would say at 6 miles you are going to a really long zoom. The problem is, after the shuttle lifts off you may want to have a second camera with a 70-200 or 100-400 to get a little wider perspective. I would think.


The good news is that it's during the day so you can get away with slow apertures.


Yourreally fortunateto get to go. I'd love to be able to see one. That will unfortunately never happen for me.

[btaylor]

1 AM is during the day now is it? [:P] Good luck mate - looking forward to seeing some shots.

[Bob]

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[Chuck Lee]

1 AM is during the day now is it? [img]/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img] Good luck mate - looking forward to seeing some shots.

Woops.......someone got confused. It's not aslight as I think it is at 1 AM.

[Keith B]

These are 12 miles away with 40D 100-400 @400mm


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