Shooting While Driving help

[GhandiInstinct]

Hello,

I have a Nikon D80 with a 55-200 Nikkor with VR. As well as a 10-20MM Sigma.

I'm taking a road trip soon and I'd like to ask the experts what settings should my ISO, aperture and F# be if I want to take photos while going 60-80MPH?

i.e, if I'm driving by a Tornado what's the most optimal quality I can get with my camera settings?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ElFenix]

i hope you're not the one behind the wheel.



you'll want the fastest shutter speed you can get. set the dial to sports mode and that'll probably get it.

you might experiment with switching the VR to panning mode if it's got it.

 

[jpeyton]

Also set the autofocus mode to AF-C (continuous).

 

[GhandiInstinct]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
i hope you're not the one behind the wheel.



you'll want the fastest shutter speed you can get. set the dial to sports mode and that'll probably get it.

you might experiment with switching the VR to panning mode if it's got it.

hehe 🙂 No, I'll be the passenger.

I have a max iso of 1600 with ISO Hi options as well I believe that goes to 3200.

So instead of sports should I just manually set it to 1600 or ISO HI?

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[jpeyton]

Let the camera meter it and use Auto ISO.

During the daytime, you won't need anywhere near ISO 1600, but the camera can meter the scene and decide for itself. Just shoot in "S" (Shutter Priority) mode and bump up the shutter speed until you don't have motion blur from the car. The shutter speed you need depends on the focal length and speed of the car.

 

[corkyg]

I have had pretty good luck shooting down the road as a passenger. I use ISO 400 and then use P mode. Works fine. Make sure you have a good, clean windshield. A circular polarizer can sometimes cut glare depending on sun angle.

 

[chucky2]

"A circular polarizer can sometimes cut glare depending on sun angle."

This helped out greatly on our trip to Yellowstone and back for car shooting, takes most/all of the glare right out.

Chuck

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
you might experiment with switching the VR to panning mode if it's got it.

The 55-200 VR has no panning mode, just on or off. It automatically senses panning and adjusts accordingly.

As others have said, I'd go with a base ISO of 400 and turn on AutoISO in case 400 is not enough. Use Shutter priority if your trying to stop motion.

Not sure how well the 55-200 VR will do, as the VR is used to stop camera shake with stationary objects, not to stop movement. But then again I'm not sure of the look your trying to achieve.

Would the 55-200mm even be fast enough to stop a tornado? Usually tornado = storms and clouds and low light. Zoomed out to 200mm, the aperture reaches F/5.6. IDK though, I've never seen a live tornado before, 🙂.