SafariGuy

My wife and I are heading out of Chicago to La Junta, Colorado on the Southwest Chief on an 18 hour train ride. We’ll be chasing a setting sun as we head west...in theory it sounds like it could a fun trip with Photo opps...unfortunately, from the observation car a person needs to be shooting through windows and train cars are constantly moving. Any suggestions on how to best minimize the obvious challenges?

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

A few years back I took a trip on the Sunset Limited from San Antonio
to LA. took pics from the observation car as well as pics from my
room with out any problems.

Watch your shutter speed.

BJW

I’ve learned from shooting ice hockey through glass 3 tricks that seem to minimize reflections: 1) wear black clothes (2) use as wide an aperture as possible, (3) point your lens as close to the glass as possible.
I use a Tamron 70-200 f 2.8 in shutter priority.
I wonder whether a ND filter would help.

Have fun!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

If Nikon lens, set to active and shoot at least 1/2000 sec. DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS.

David Taylor

No ND filter needed.

wham121736 Loc: Long Island, New York

Use a polarizer to cut down reflections from Windows.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

I would have a polarizer filter, just in case...can't hurt to have it with you.


Peter

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

The problem you will have is reflections from around you, I found the best method is where possible is to place the lens rim on the window, you can still tilt the lens a little if necessary, if you use a lens hood it makes taking photographs through the glass even easier.

BJW

If your lens cap touches the glass, your camera might pick up the train’s vibrations—which will affect focus and image sharpness.
Best to hold the camera steady with elbows firmly tucked into your sides—as steady as possible.
Don’t limit yourself to shooting through the glass from the car interior. You might also want to try standing out on the platform between the train cars especially when the train is going around a curve. Point the camera out toward the rear of the train to get an interesting view of the train bending around the curve.

We did that in Alaska. Very cool view.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Not bad, but do not hold your arms or elbows firmly tucked into your sides, yes, this will also pick up train vibrations. Hold the camera close but do not touch your sides, this way your arms actually act as shock absorbers. Holding you elbows close to your sides is OK for shooting on solid ground when your body is not picking up vibrations.

sroc

On a train trip from Ft. Williams (Scotland Highlands) to Glasgow and from Glasgow to Edinburgh I have had some success using the LensKirt. It is a black hood that attaches to the window via four suction cups. The lens is placed in the hood and a draw string is tightened around the lens. I indicated some success for the following reasons:

1. The hood provides a 9" x 10" "window" to shoot through. While the hood does allow the camera to move right, left up and down that movement is limited. On a moving traing trying to position the camera within the window provided by the hood, I got many shots of the inside of the hood - both partial and full. I did nto not have the freedom to shoot through the much larger train window. Perhaps with more practice I will get better.

2. Since it attaches to the window it is not easily moved. If you have access to both side of the train (I didn't since the trains were full), the hood is not easily removed and switched to the across train window.

On the plus side it does not weigh much and can be easily folded in the camera bag. I was happy with the shots I was able to get. I am also aware of silicon hood designed for this purpose as well. Check B&H.

Enjoy your train trip.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Interesting trip, want to see the responses.
I have only traveled on 3rd world trains with open windows and the ability to hang out on the boarding steps etc. so glass was never a problem.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I didn't notice it mentioned yet, but in the past, people have recommended using a rubber lens hood and placing it against the glass. It will form a good seal and dampen some of the vibration.

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

On a trip to California and back I had zero luck shooting in the observation car. The seats were too far from the window with no way to mitigate the miriad of reflection.
My best shots were taken from the car entry doors as you can get right on the glass, don't put the camera on the window. A good rubber lens hood is nice.
I found the lack of people in the observation car interesting, there was always good seating available.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Must have been a train load of dermatologists.