Vacation of a life time. HELP
Mar 25, 2012 06:50:29 #
I am about to go on a vacation of a life time. I will be flying to Tahiti where I will spend two days driving around the island taking pictures. Then I will be flying on a small plane stopping in a couple of islands in the Tuamotus ending up in Mangarava where I will be getting on a large sailing yacht that has competed in the round the world yacht races. We will take this boat to Pitcairn island where I will be diving on the HMS Bounty of the Mutiny on the Bounty story and staying with the descendants of the mutineers. When I get back to Tahiti I will be taken up in a small plane by the people I will be staying with to take pictures of Tahiti and the surrounding islands. In writing this I still cannot believe it is me going on this trip. I am not a professional photographer but I like to take pictures and I have what I think pretty nice gear. Since I will most likely have only one chance to get the perfect shot I would like to ask the opinion of someone who has shot in the situations I am about to describe and what I should do. The equipment I will be taking will be
Nikon D3, Lens I will take are Nikon 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 II, 50mm 1.8 and if I can fit it in the bag 105mm 2.8 for taking pictures of people. A Cullmann Magnesit 525C Tripod. Is there anything I can do without? Or is there a better lens I could take?
I have purchased a Nikon AW-100 for taking pictures underwater of the Bounty. The Bounty is in shallow water so the depth limitations of the camera will not be an issue. I will also use this camera for a quick point and shoot.
I have also purchased two Go-Pro cameras and the 3D (just for fun) housing for it. Does anyone have any experience using the Go-Pro in 3D? Is it worth taking? Or should I concentrate on using the GoPros by themselves.
Since there is no light pollution my plan is to spend the night on top of Pitcairn island and take pictures of the island by the light of the stars and of the stars themselves. The moon will be ¾ full when I arrive to almost nothing when I leave. What lens and settings should I use to take these pictures at night?
My weakness is taking pictures of people, of the lenses I am taking what is the best lens to use? In my research I think the answer will be the 105mm. If I cannot take it what is the second best and any tips on camera settings will be greatly appreciated.
Last question, what lens should I take on the open plane that my friends will use to fly me around Tahiti? Because it is an open small plane I dont think I will be able to change lenses.
I would really appreciate any advice
Nikon D3, Lens I will take are Nikon 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 II, 50mm 1.8 and if I can fit it in the bag 105mm 2.8 for taking pictures of people. A Cullmann Magnesit 525C Tripod. Is there anything I can do without? Or is there a better lens I could take?
I have purchased a Nikon AW-100 for taking pictures underwater of the Bounty. The Bounty is in shallow water so the depth limitations of the camera will not be an issue. I will also use this camera for a quick point and shoot.
I have also purchased two Go-Pro cameras and the 3D (just for fun) housing for it. Does anyone have any experience using the Go-Pro in 3D? Is it worth taking? Or should I concentrate on using the GoPros by themselves.
Since there is no light pollution my plan is to spend the night on top of Pitcairn island and take pictures of the island by the light of the stars and of the stars themselves. The moon will be ¾ full when I arrive to almost nothing when I leave. What lens and settings should I use to take these pictures at night?
My weakness is taking pictures of people, of the lenses I am taking what is the best lens to use? In my research I think the answer will be the 105mm. If I cannot take it what is the second best and any tips on camera settings will be greatly appreciated.
Last question, what lens should I take on the open plane that my friends will use to fly me around Tahiti? Because it is an open small plane I dont think I will be able to change lenses.
I would really appreciate any advice
Mar 25, 2012 07:25:40 #
Mar 25, 2012 08:39:07 #
Enjoy this trip of a lifetime. Sounds like it could be a bit of a rush? How long will that take :-)
Sorry I have no advice to your question. Just in amazement of this trip. LOL
Have Fun.
Sorry I have no advice to your question. Just in amazement of this trip. LOL
Have Fun.
Mar 25, 2012 08:41:25 #
I will be gone for three weeks. Any idea how to take pictures out of an open plane and what lens I should use from my list?
Fotomann wrote:
Enjoy this trip of a lifetime. Sounds like it could be a bit of a rush? How long will that take :-)
Have Fun.
Have Fun.
Mar 25, 2012 09:51:33 #
Pitcairn Guy wrote:
I will be gone for three weeks. Any idea how to take pictures out of an open plane and what lens I should use from my list?
Fotomann wrote:
Enjoy this trip of a lifetime. Sounds like it could be a bit of a rush? How long will that take :-)
Have Fun.
Have Fun.
I never have...
Maybe this link will be of any help?
http://www.photohowto.info/how-shoot-aerial-photographs
I took pictures out of plane before but never an OPEN plane.
Mar 25, 2012 10:01:15 #
Pitcairn Guy wrote:
I will be gone for three weeks. Any idea how to take pictures out of an open plane and what lens I should use from my list?
Fotomann wrote:
Enjoy this trip of a lifetime. Sounds like it could be a bit of a rush? How long will that take :-)
Have Fun.
Have Fun.
I would take the 24-70 and 70-200 on the plane. Just the 24-70 if they plan aerobatics. The trick in shooting from a plane is to "float" the camera in your hands to nullify the vibration. If you question your hands, use a lens strap. Next, when you poke your hands out of the plane's cowling, there will be a blast of air.
This blast wants to remove the camera from your hands. Be cautious.
Even with the wind, remember to achieve the "float" of the camera. Aerial images can suffer from vibration and wind buffeting, but they are very possible, particularly on light planes at relatively slow speeds under 90 mph.
Keep in mind, it is not ALWAYS necessary to be looking through the viewfinder. In these situations, I generally decide what should be at frame center, and back off the viewfinder a bit. You can see what's centered quite easily. If you are using polarization, bring tape, set it ahead of time, out of the wind, and TAPE IT. I recommend one inch gaffer's tape. You tape the leading edge which will be blasted by the wind.
Mar 25, 2012 10:04:27 #
Thank you very much for your input. Since I will not be able to change lenses I am thinking about the 24-70 so I can get a little wider shots of the reefs. Do you think this is a good idea?
PhotoArtsLA wrote:
quote=Pitcairn Guy I will be gone for three weeks... (show quote)
Mar 25, 2012 10:08:38 #
Pitcairn Guy wrote:
Thank you very much for your input. Since I will n... (show quote)
I amended my post with a bit more info. Look back.
Mar 25, 2012 10:14:47 #
Just in case, since you did not mention it; extra batteries, extra cards, card reader and a back up source. Maybe even a good flash unit sb700-sb900, gaff tape, and insurance for all of the equipment for any unforeseen calamity. Maybe a grey/white card or similar and shoot raw. :thumbup: I know you probably know all this but thought I would mention it. Have a great time and now you will be expected to post pic's on your return here at UG's website for all to see!!! :shock:
Mar 25, 2012 10:24:18 #
Got lot's of batteries, cards, laptop with lots of storage and sb800-900. Where would one get insurance for a trip like this? It is one thing I have not though of. My big question right now is what lens and how to take pictures of the stars over the island at night? Thank you.
deej wrote:
Just in case, since you did not mention it; extra batteries, extra cards, card reader and a back up source. Maybe even a good flash unit sb700-sb900, gaff tape, and insurance for all of the equipment for any unforeseen calamity. Maybe a grey/white card or similar and shoot raw. :thumbup: I know you probably know all this but thought I would mention it. Have a great time and now you will be expected to post pic's on your return here at UG's website for all to see!!! :shock:
Mar 25, 2012 11:02:49 #
D.A.N... Divers alert network,will insure a trip like that and all your gear.hope this helps
Mar 25, 2012 11:35:46 #
Thank you, I will atempt to contact them on Monday.
Scubadoo wrote:
D.A.N... Divers alert network,will insure a trip like that and all your gear.hope this helps
Mar 25, 2012 11:43:38 #
I would be tempted to use the wide lens but the telephoto one would work, Heck, try em all, like you said" its a trip of a lifetime" so take your time and shot a crap full of shots with bracketing etc... you can always cull the shots later :lol:
Mar 25, 2012 12:03:32 #
What the heck, I will take everything! I am packing right now and already need a bigger bag!
deej wrote:
I would be tempted to use the wide lens but the telephoto one would work, Heck, try em all, like you said" its a trip of a lifetime" so take your time and shot a crap full of shots with bracketing etc... you can always cull the shots later :lol:
Mar 25, 2012 19:30:40 #
I like how you broke down to just the necessary equipment. Don't take too much, just all of it!!! :thumbup:
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