Is it safe to photograph fireworks with a Nikon D60?

Question

will the smoke from them and dust from them damage the camera?

Answer 1

How close are you going to be.

from the way you describe it, it sounds like you're going to be right next to the launch area.

If that's the case, you won't get a good shot of the burst, unless you're planning on getting the launch.

If you're planning on getting the launch, I suggest you use the longest focal length just in case the launcher loses control of the fireworks and it flies into you

Answer 2

It should be safe, the camera won't get damaged by a bit of smoke or dust, as long as you are not right in the smoke cloud that they create, but then again, you don't want to be near that in terms of taking good photos (the smoke would create a bad haze in your shots.)

If you are worried - get a safety filter or UV filter and put it on the lens - it will stop it being scratched or having junk landing on it and damaging the lens.

One of the beauties of SLR cameras is they are (generally) built like tanks and can take more of a pounding than the point-and-shoot cameras. However, with their price you don't really want to damage the camera at all!

So, you should be fine.

If you want to be extra cautious, stand around 500+ meters away and you almost definatly won't have any smoke or dust landing on you.

Answer 3

Like others said, if smoke or dust gets on the lense the camera's view will be ruined and the lense will need to be cleaned.  Unless you're taking a macro shot of a firecracker going off, I don't see how that's going to happe though.

Answer 4

It's a common misconception that DSLR's are built tougher than point and shoots. That's a lie. They are built roughly the same unless you have a weather/dust resistant body. I wouldn't be getting near anything that is throwing off gunpowder, but to be honest, unless its shooting up into the air and exploding really huge... then you won't get good shots.

Answer 5

If you're in the audience and pieces of the fireworks aren't falling on you, then your camera will be fine.  I've done it many times with many cameras.  If it's safe enough for kids to be there, it's plenty safe enough for a camera.