Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM
Canon RF-S (APS-C) / 55-210 mm (88-336 mm equiv.)
₹31,990 – ₹36,995 Gujarat 
Uttarayan kite festival photography: settings, lenses and safety
Uttarayan turns Ahmedabad’s rooftops into a festival of colour: thousands of kites, families on terraces, music and food, and glowing tukkal lanterns at night. Here’s how to photograph it well, and safely.
Settings for kites in the sky
| Shot | Settings |
|---|---|
| Single kite, sharp | 1/1000–1/2000s, f/5.6–f/8, auto ISO, +1 EV, tracking AF |
| Kite flyer action | 1/1000s, f/4, continuous eye AF, burst |
| Rooftop crowd, wide | 1/500s, f/8, auto ISO |
| Tukkal lanterns at night | Tripod, 1–4 s, f/4–f/8, ISO 100–400 |
The bright sky makes cameras underexpose faces and kite colours. Use exposure compensation, or spot-meter on faces.
Lenses
- Telephoto: isolates kites and candid rooftop moments. On Canon APS-C, the RF-S 55-210mm or RF 100-400mm; on Sony full-frame, the FE 70-200mm F4 G II.
- Wide: captures the sea of kites over the old city skyline.
- 360° camera: an Insta360 X5 on a pole captures the whole terrace scene for reels.
Video
Shoot 4K 50/60p for smooth slow motion of kite battles. A variable ND filter like the K&F Nano-X keeps shutter speeds cinematic in bright sun.
Night lanterns
A tripod like the Manfrotto Befree Advanced lets you record light trails as tukkals rise. Turn off image stabilisation when on a tripod, and use the 2-second timer.
Safety and gear care
- Stay away from roof edges and watch your footing while looking up.
- Manja (glass-coated string) can scratch lenses and cut hands: use a lens hood and keep the camera strap on.
- Dust and sun: wipe lenses with a blower and cloth, and keep spare batteries out of direct sun.
Read camera care in heat and monsoon and best photography spots in Ahmedabad.
Frequently asked questions
01What are the best camera settings for kite photography?
Shutter priority at 1/1000s or faster, auto ISO, +1 to +1.7 exposure compensation against bright sky, continuous AF with tracking, and burst mode.
02Which lens is best for Uttarayan?
A telephoto zoom (around 70-300mm equivalent) for single kites and candid rooftop portraits, plus a wide lens for crowds and skyline scenes.
03How do I photograph tukkal lanterns at night?
Put the camera on a tripod, set ISO 100–400, f/4–f/8 and exposures of 1–4 seconds to draw light trails as lanterns rise.
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp with your budget and what you shoot, or visit our Paldi store for a live demo.
In this guide
Gear we mentioned.
Canon RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM
Canon RF (full-frame, works on APS-C) / 100-400 mm
₹52,990 – ₹59,995
Sony FE 70-200mm F4 Macro G OSS II
Sony E (full-frame) / 70-200 mm
₹1,39,990 – ₹1,59,990
K&F Concept Nano-X Variable ND Filter (ND2-ND400)
ND2-ND400 (about 1-9 stops) / Multi-coated, water- and scratch-resistant
₹2,990 – ₹4,490
Manfrotto Befree Advanced Aluminium Travel Tripod
150 cm / 40 cm
₹17,990 – ₹21,990
New Insta360 X5 360° Camera
8K 360°, single-lens 4K modes / User-replaceable
₹51,990 – ₹58,990