Helicopter Ride Hawaii (Page 2): I've taken that ride. The 24-70 is more than adequate. Of bigger concern is anyone in the copter wearing light colored clothes. They will show up in...

ollie Loc: Ogdensburg, NY

I've taken that ride. The 24-70 is more than adequate. Of bigger concern is anyone in the copter wearing light colored clothes. They will show up in reflections on the doors and other windows. A front seat next to the door alleviate some of the reflections. Great Ride. Have fun

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

Bear2 wrote:

Did a private (just wife and I) 'doors off' helico... (show quote)

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

I own the 14-24 and the 24-70; and I have taken helicopter rides. I would take the 14-24.

printer273

Thanks to everyone who have replied, the reason we are doing a doors on tour is because we have 5 in our group and the doors off only hold 4 people we wanted to stay together if we could. I am thinking about doing another trip with the doors off if I am disappointed with the doors on tour.
Thanks again to everyone!!

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Did the doors off tour on Kauai last year. Before going also did some research by contacting a couple of photographers who regularly do commercial helicopter photography. Following their advice I used my 24/105 lens, no polarizer, set shutter speed for 1/1200 or above, let the ISO float (great suggestion, as the lighting conditions changed constantly. I requested the seat next to the pilot and told the scheduler that I was primarily interested in photography. The pilot was very accommodating and made several suggestions to prepare me for what we were about to see. All in all a very enjoyable flight and the photos were terrific. Have a great trip!

Photobobhunt

I Did a Helicopter on Maui several years ago.
As you change directions even slightly the polarizer effect will change with or without quick adjustment.
You would be better served working on your composition than adjusting your filter.
Have Fun...get some great images ........Bob

yds0066 Loc: Southwestern Illinois

My wife and I took the Jack Harter doors off ride last year on Kauai and I took a Canon 17-55 and it worked out great. We were not over any populated areas and I never wished that I had a longer reach. We also did not fly low to the ground but were up which made for great pictures.

Dave R. Loc: PNW

I did the volcano tour on the big island and used my 70-200 non IS with shutter speed around 1200. Never found anything that this lens could not capture under the circumstances. Even flying up close to water falls wasn't limiting. If you have one I suggest taking it. Perhaps the charter people could advise. They have got to see cameras galore.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Howard5252 wrote:

OK. Of the two lenses, I'd take the 24~70. You can take wide angle (panoramic) and still retain some ability to take specific shots like buildings, cars, and maybe people.

Right. Flying at altitude, you wouldn't want a very wide lens, so the 24-70 should be good. The chopper will not be silky smooth, so a long tele would be ridiculous.

When I took these flights years, ago, the company provided VHS tapes to the passengers. They'll probably give you a DVD, and it will contain the conversations among passengers and pilot.

EDIT: Don't rule out small plane tours. I took both and actually preferred the plane - at half the cost. The pilot on one plane tour flies copters and planes for the company, and he preferred the plane for sightseeing.

hippi Loc: Sedalia MO

I did the volcano on the big island and used my 70-300
on my df and got some nice shots
the company will offer a cd or dvd of your flight for around $20-30

HallowedHill Loc: Chattanooga, TN

Dave R. wrote:

I did the volcano tour on the big island and used my 70-200 non IS with shutter speed around 1200. Never found anything that this lens could not capture under the circumstances. Even flying up close to water falls wasn't limiting. If you have one I suggest taking it. Perhaps the charter people could advise. They have got to see cameras galore.

I had the same experience in 2012. No problem at all with that lens and I have some great shots.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

printer273 wrote:

We are going for a closed door helicopter ride in June to Kaui I have a D800 and I am stuck on what lens to bring, my choice is Nikon 14-24 2.8 or 24-70 2.8 anyone have any recommendations on which one to bring. Also a polarizing filter will it slow down my shutter speed to much?
thanks

I wouldn't believe the lens would matter as much as the shutter speed. At least 1/500 if not 1/1000 will take out the shake.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

printer273 wrote:

We are going for a closed door helicopter ride in June to Kaui I have a D800 and I am stuck on what lens to bring, my choice is Nikon 14-24 2.8 or 24-70 2.8 anyone have any recommendations on which one to bring. Also a polarizing filter will it slow down my shutter speed to much?
thanks

I got stuck in the middle seat in the back and could not get any shots of the Island only the interior of the chopper.
But my wife was in the front with awesome viability and used a 16-24mm f2.8 and got great shots.
I would recommend the Nikon 14-24 2.8. You can always crop if you need to.
Craig

As clear as it gets through a window of the chopper.

(Download)

spinkick Loc: Watseka IL

I took my 70-300. You will also have the problem of water spots on Kauai>

thephotoman Loc: Rochester, NY

Thanks everyone for all the tips. I hope within the next 2 years to do some arial photography. I live an hour away from Niagra Falls and hope to take the sight seeing chopper tour soon. It is on my bucket list as well as 2 other types of yours there.