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Re: TC Pics - How To?
Hello Jim,
Here are a couple of tips:
Film speed: ASA 100-400.
A tripod
Exposure time: this is probably the greatest variable. See below
Fstop: 1.2-1.4 and 4-5.6
Now, from what I wrote above, you are gonna think that doesnīt help me (you)
much. The real problem is that YOU have to decide what you want to take
pictures of and WHAT the pictures should look like and this depends on
personal taste.
The tripod is necessary as soon as you start taking pictures without a flash
in complete darkness, otherwise you will shake up the picture making it look
fuzzy (which does create interesting effects on corona discharges, tho).
A low reflective backround (grey or light to deep blue) will enhance the
picture somewhat, but isnīt really necessary. Avoid white backrounds as they
will "hide" the discharges somewhat (due to reflections created).
I usually start out with my coil set up and pre-fired once, so I have an idea
where my arcs are going. After that I focus my camera on that spot. I usually
use ASA 100 film, simply because this is the film I use for most any pictures,
plus the 100 film isnīt as grainy as most high speed (ASA 400-1000) are. This
will allow you to blow up the picture in greater detail later.
Now comes the perference decision. If you want the pictures (the sparks) to
look like they really do, you need a wide aperature and a relativly fast (for
the lighting available) shutter speed (1/15 to 1/30 sec). If the sparks should
look like they do on most of the coiler sites out there, you will want to have
a smaller aperature (f 4.5) and a much longer exposure time (anywhere from
1-10 seconds).
Of course the output of the coil makes a difference, too. If you have a small
coil (smaller, less bright sparks) you will need to go for longer exposure and
a wider f-stop. Vice versa for a big coil with more output.
A corona or streamer picture will also need a wider f-stop and more exposure
time than a direct hit to a grounded rod.
As you can see, it is a matter of personal taste and does require some
fiddeling with the camera adjustments to get the picture they way you want it
to be.
Coiler greets from germany,
Reinhard