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  #11  
Old 10-17-2007, 08:38 PM
scigs30 scigs30 is offline
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I need a new camera, there is no way I can take pictures like that during blast off. I have taken numerous pictures of my flights and not one is post able.
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  #12  
Old 10-17-2007, 09:11 PM
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tbzep tbzep is offline
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An SLR is definately the way to go, whether film or digital. Shutter lag is pretty much non-existent....something like 80 milliseconds for today's digital SLR's, and shooting through a real SLR you see exactly what the camera will see. With non-SLR's the little viewfinders don't show exactly what the image will be and the LCD screens are really tough to track movement as fast as a rocket.

Speaking strictly as an amaetur, I'd look for a few features for a digital rocket shooter. I'll keep it real simple because I know almost nothing about digital photography.

1. Fast lens (the lower the f/ number the better) Mine is a f/3.5-5.6 zoom and I'd like it to be even faster. For lack of a better explanation, a "faster" lens puts more light on the CCD so you can shoot with quicker shutter speeds.

2. High ISO rating and ability to go "auto ISO" is handy too.

3. Ability to go shutter or aperture priority or total manual. Don't shoot on the regular auto or on the sport auto setting because the shutter speeds will never be fast enough for rockets.

4. A shutter that will hit at least 1/2000. You can go slower with slower rockets, but the little quick ones need as fast a shutter as you can get.

5. Minimal shutter lag. That's a big problem with some digital cameras.

6. The more megapixels, the better. (obvious, I know)

7. A big buffer will let you shoot more pictures in burst mode without having to write to the storage card. If the buffer is full, you won't get anywhere near the advertised framerate, even with a fast card.

8. My experience with film SLR's proved that you get what you pay for with cheap lenses. Get a good quality lens. If you are only paying $150 for a 70-300mm autofocus zoom lens, your images will suffer.


There are lots of other features that can help like multiple focus modes, metering modes, burst modes, yadda, yadda, yadda. Some of them have to do with personal preference and some I haven't even started trying to figure out yet. I know that there are some very experienced photographers on TRF. Maybe one of them has a real feature list or tutorial that can help you guys a lot more than me.
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  #13  
Old 10-18-2007, 03:03 AM
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Leo Leo is offline
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Fantastic!
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My rocket fleet and more @ Leo's Leisure Site and on YouTube - My latest project: ALTDuino
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  #14  
Old 10-18-2007, 11:35 AM
Eagle3 Eagle3 is offline
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Great photos! Thanks for posting!
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  #15  
Old 10-18-2007, 06:06 PM
lurker01 lurker01 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
The last two flights were the two DRMs. My son's went first.



Bovine Rocket Recovery Services, Inc. (BRRS)



Of the lot, I love this one the best!

Robert
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  #16  
Old 10-18-2007, 06:10 PM
foose4string foose4string is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tbzep
Yes, but it doesn't work the way it should. Sometimes I will get a good burst, but other times it will shoot one shot and refuse to fire again until I've released the shutter button and pressed again. Therefore, I'm not relying on the burst and I'm trying to time the first image after first movement of the rocket the way I always did with my film SLR (I never had a motor winder).

I have a feeling it is at least partly due to the autofocus. There are a few focusing options that I've tried to no avail, but I'm sure there are other options I haven't found yet. If these modern lenses had big focus rings instead of the little dinky ones and good focusing prisms, I'd switch to manual and give that a try. However, I reckon I'm limited to trying other things to get a consistent burst for now. I've already turned off some features that are time consuming such as Noise Reduction. I have a fast SD card, but I'm not filling the buffer, so that shouldn't matter. I'll figure it out one of these days.


Great pics TB!

My Canon Digital Rebel is the same way with the autofocus on. My wife uses manual focus somehow manages to get much better pics than I ever could. Mine are always out of focus using the manual setting. The only way I can get ANYTHING usable is to put it on auto, but the burst is sporadic that way, like you describe your Nikon to be. We've had the original 6.3mp Rebel for a few years now. She already had the standard Rebel SLR and lenses before buying it, so all I had to buy was the digital body and we were in business, saved us a nice chunk of cash. I really like what I've been seeing from the new Nikons! If I was going to upgrade, I think I might stick with Canon since I wouldn't have to invest in lenses again.
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  #17  
Old 10-18-2007, 06:16 PM
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cas2047 cas2047 is offline
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Great pics and congrats to your son on his excellent looking DRM!

The Bovine Rocket Recovery Services picture is a classic!
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