taking pictures of backfire

  • Thread starter Thread starter moar_powaaa
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stpatty
I need some tips on when to stop the replay for backfire. I'm currently trying to get it with my Zonda R, and I can pause the replay so that there's a big bit of flame about a foot long coming out the exhausts... then I go to camera, get the angle right, take the picture and find that the fire isn't behind the car any more, it's sort of... in the car at the rear. It's very annoying, I could have a really good picture here. I've done everything I can think to get it, the shutter speed's up at 1/8000 and I've used every angle/panning mode/whatever there is... help!
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I get the same problem too ...

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I wish I hadn't smashed the brake light in on this one

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The more forced induction a car runs the harder it is to capture the backfire as it doesn't last as long. This car only had the standard turbo and that was enough to effect the amount of intake/exhaust overlap the N/A tune 3 offered. Consequently backfires on this car were extremely difficult to catch. Running @ 300HP.
 
holy crap Veyron that's some backfire! I've tried to get some shots, and through practice (pause when slowing for a corner, check for backfire, double tapping start, check for backfire, and so on) I've gotten it now and again. However, I think what is REALLY hard is getting it to look good. Most of the time it just looks like an orange blob floating off to the side of the car.

How do you guys get these shots? Is the idea to get it right at the beginning while the fire is still exiting the exhaust pipe?
 
Tower Turn 13
holy crap Veyron that's some backfire! I've tried to get some shots, and through practice (pause when slowing for a corner, check for backfire, double tapping start, check for backfire, and so on) I've gotten it now and again. However, I think what is REALLY hard is getting it to look good. Most of the time it just looks like an orange blob floating off to the side of the car.

How do you guys get these shots? Is the idea to get it right at the beginning while the fire is still exiting the exhaust pipe?
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No, the idea is to take the picture with the backfire clear of the car otherwise you end up with a pic like Veyrons Zonda, ie looks like the car is on fire.

There is a small lag difference between the car and the flame and it is just luck where the flame is when you pause. I have discarded a few pics like Veyrons example because the timing was off. The only way around it is to capture a different backfire or time the photo a bit later.

If your backfires look like undefined blurry blobs it is because your shutter speed is too slow and/ or you are using the wrong panning mode.
 
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Ghost Rydor
No, the idea is to take the picture with the backfire clear of the car otherwise you end up with a pic like Veyrons Zonda, ie looks like the car is on fire.

There is a small lag difference between the car and the flame and it is just luck where the flame is when you pause. I have discarded a few pics like Veyrons example because the timing was off. The only way around it is to capture a different backfire or time the photo a bit later.

If your backfires look like undefined blurry blobs it is because your shutter speed is too slow and/ or you are using the wrong panning mode.
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Thanks I have a few pics of a 69 camaro RM I'll post later for feedback.
 
Why are the flames always smaller once you take the picture than compared to the flames you see with the replay just paused? Is it because the shutter speed is still too slow?
 
Not sure what your doing to make the flames smaller in the photo? Shutter speed can change them from a blur into something more distinguishable. Might be your problem? Normally the problem people have is the flames are in a different place after taking the photo.



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I'm having trouble with getting the flames to come out crisp and clear... they look more like a reflector in the road at the moment. Any tips?

my settings are as follows:
Panning mode:2
Focal length:19
Shutter speed:60

Again any tips are appriciated
 
DaleJrFan
I'm having trouble with getting the flames to come out crisp and clear... they look more like a reflector in the road at the moment. Any tips?

my settings are as follows:
Panning mode:2
Focal length:19
Shutter speed:60

Again any tips are appriciated
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Try Panning mode: 3
Focal length: Whatever you want.
Shutter speed: 1/8000



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Easy car to get a picture of a backfire but since the exhausts exit the side of the car its very difficult to get a shot where the flames line up. Luckily since the only way to see both backfires is from the front or rear which means you don't see the timing error.
I hope PD update with slow motion control soon otherwise I'm going to wear out my start button!
 
Ok, let me demonstrate what we are up against. This is an example of how much lag there can be between the flames and the car.
If it looks like this BEFORE you take the picture...



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It will look like this AFTER you take the picture...



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Now obviously if your exhausts exit the rear of your car the flames will be INSIDE the car in a situation like this. Hence why flames keep disappearing on people.

Yes a shutter speed like 1/60 might "bring em' back" so to speak, but they will look like a smudge on the screen and not a backfire. If you find yourself in this situation there is NOTHING YOU CAN DO!
Your only option is to watch the replay again and pray you time it later next time. If we had slow mo control we wouldn't have this problem so lets hope it comes with a update.
 

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