Helicopter Photography Suggestions
Sep 12, 2014 07:53:59 #
My wife and I will be going to Hawaii before long and I have signed up for a doors-off helicopter flight around Oahu. My question is what focal length works best. Since it is doors-off no loose items are allowed, so that means only one lens and camera, which would be my 6D. I am leaning towards my 24-105 but am also considering my 70-300. That might be the only reason I would even take the 70-300 on the trip. My primary interest will be the ships in Pearl Harbor. The chopper cannot fly any lower then 1000' over populated areas, plus the Navy certainly has restrictions at Pearl. Then you have the angular distance. I don't want to end up with dots on a pond. Anybody with any experience on such flights?
Sep 12, 2014 08:20:58 #
Bri
Loc: NZ
I used a Pana 14-140 very successfully for both stills & video from a helicopter (no doors) in NW Australia. Height was between 50 and 500ft
Sep 12, 2014 08:21:03 #
We heloed up to Mendenhall Glacier in near Juneau 2 years ago. I had my 18-135 kit lens back then. Definitely go for the longer lens unless you just want the scenery!! We had to put up with dirty windows! lol!
Sep 12, 2014 08:30:07 #
Bri wrote:
I used a Pana 14-140 very successfully for both stills & video from a helicopter (no doors) in NW Australia. Height was between 50 and 500ft
Thanks. Here in the States the FAA restricts normal flight for aircraft to a minimum of 500' over rural areas and 1000' over urban. Of course, in certain areas a chopper can get away with going much lower but the Navy controls Pearl Harbor and may have even have higher minimums. That's why I think my 24-105 may be a bit short.
Sep 12, 2014 08:34:57 #
steffro1 wrote:
We heloed up to Mendenhall Glacier in near Juneau 2 years ago. I had my 18-135 kit lens back then. Definitely go for the longer lens unless you just want the scenery!! We had to put up with dirty windows! lol!
Dirty windows! I definitely would have been upset about that, although, doors-off on a glacier flight probably would not have been a comfortable option!
I am leaning towards the 70-300. My flight is on day 4 of a 10 day stay, so, if I don't get the results I want I may just do it again with the 24-105.
Sep 12, 2014 08:36:43 #
Sep 12, 2014 08:41:43 #
twowindsbear wrote:
Ask the helo tour operator, they should know the answer.
I asked the woman who took my reservation but she wasn't too helpful. Since the chopper company does all types of aerial photography I may just send them an e-mail. I'm sure they could help me out, but I figured it would be a good idea to ask UHH members also.
Sep 12, 2014 08:51:50 #
You said about 1000feet, so go with the longer lens. The other one will just get you the entire fleet! ;o)
Sep 12, 2014 08:58:18 #
steffro1 wrote:
You said about 1000feet, so go with the longer lens. The other one will just get you the entire fleet! ;o)
Thanks. That's pretty much what I have been thinking.
Sep 12, 2014 09:14:59 #
steffro1 wrote:
You said about 1000feet, so go with the longer lens. The other one will just get you the entire fleet! ;o)
I'd have to agree. Lots more options at that distance with the 70-300.
Sep 12, 2014 09:18:06 #
LFingar wrote:
My wife and I will be going to Hawaii before long ... (show quote)
Keep shutter speed fast, around 1/200, do not lean against or use the body to rest the camera on, the vibration will ruin the shots.
Sep 12, 2014 09:23:04 #
Sep 12, 2014 09:24:08 #
crimesc324 wrote:
Keep shutter speed fast, around 1/200, do not lean against or use the body to rest the camera on, the vibration will ruin the shots.
Actually, I read an article by a magazine reviewer who took the same flight and he recommended 1/1000. He got some nice shots but never mentioned what lens and body he used.
Sep 12, 2014 14:35:35 #
LFingar wrote:
Thanks. That's pretty much what I have been thinking.
I took a flight around Denali when I was in AK in 2012. I had a D90 with a 18-300mm an got shots I couldn't have gotten with anything shorter. I was glad I had it. You could take shots with a mid-range zoom and crop but you know how iffy that can be. I definitely would take the big gun.
Sep 12, 2014 18:14:25 #
Hi there, I just did a Blue Hawaiian tour around Oahu in August. It was great, but the doors were on. I took my 24-105 and my 70-300 DO. I was able to sit in the front right and did change lenses back and forth as needed. With no doors, I guess you would have to be very careful. We could not carry any type of bag, so I just hand carried the lens and kept it between my thighs and changed out as needed. I would lean more towards the 70-200 though if that was my only choice. We did fly directly over the USS Arizona but there is no way we were anywhere near 1000 feet. I would say around 400 feet. The shots came out pretty good too.
Chris
Chris
LFingar wrote:
My wife and I will be going to Hawaii before long ... (show quote)
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