The wallet can. (I've shot 3200 at gigs where the lens wasn't fast enough and the shots weren't acceptable because of the lighting)

They freak because it blinds them.

I don't know if you are going to compensate for the low light temperature in which case you might lose two or three stops and end up with your photos blurred even if tripod mounted (which wouldn't be wise in crowds). Are you going to shoot for daylight and compensate afterwards using photo editing software?

I'm just gonna shoot handheld on the street and I doubt I'll be retouching the photos later. I don't expect to be shooting at Liestal, as there will be too many people to get a good position, let alone setup a tripod.

If you have a decent modern digital shoot in RAW and Photoshop will be able to sort it.

Can anyone explain where Fasnacht comes from? I've read it was originally a Pagan celebration (for Spring coming etc) that the Christians took over....... (just like Christmas, my brother keeps telling me, but I won't go there just yet). My Swiss girlfriend tells me it's just an excuse to get pi**ed on the streets.... so you need an carnival for that? Most nights in the UK you can witness just that for free.... mind, if you photographed it you'd end up in A&E

Good advice about shooting RAW in that situation. Set to daylight temperature and turn the yellow and reds into something useful in Photoshop afterwards. Then you will be able to take advantage of ISO 3200. If you don't use daylight temperature and use Auto then your camera might be shooting at ISO 800 even though you set it to ISO 3200.
Then every one of your shots will be blurred but with good colours.

Best Fasnacht ? Definitely Basel ! Lots of colors and drunks !

Hi,

Basel Fasnacht 2006 I took part as a member of a clique. If you want to read more about what Fasnacht is (and isn't) I put a few entries on my blogsite.

Here is the main link:

http://www.rebgasse.com/reblog/?cat=6

With reference to the question about flash photography, bear in mind that the masks give you a limited field of vision so having some idiot flash a light in your face really is annoying as well as dangerous.

Don't forget, Fasnachtlers only march to entertain themselves. We don't care a hoot about the people watching.

Cheers,
Nick

Thanks Roland - I've only just started shooting in RAW with my new Canon 400D (i'ts fantastic!) and I guess plenty to learn about the new shooting mode. Re flash everybody.... flash at night will only illuminate about 10 - 15 feet in front of the camera and everything else will be black (or a horrible grey/brown) turn your flash off and steady the camera on a wall, fence or car etc - you'll get some interesting, and often amazing results. If you have a fancy camera you may have a flash "fill-in" mode - that can also give good results at night. Hope I don't sound like an anorak...

For those folks who might be wondering just what exactly Fasnacht is, click on the Youtube links below for some videos i took at Luzern Fasnacht

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFzBwoj9Zhw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAjVa...related&search=

More vids to come when i get round to editing it all...

Well it seems that I'll be heading to Basel. There are a couple of special trains from Zürich, which are leaving at around 2 am -- will be on one of them. I missed Luzern, so what the heck.

Oh my god, you're right - someone might actually hit a bum note and all of fasnacht wil be ruined for that year. That must be why they have those huge signs at the train station that say "no flash photography".

I play bum notes anyway - that's what Gugge music is all about. Being blinded isn't fun, and it happened several times yesterday.

The Complaints Corner is full of expats whining about the Swiss being inconsiderate but I am not sure who is worse. What's that phrase about pots and kettles again?

Cheers,
Nick