Up in the air (Page 2): I took an 18-200mm lens on a balloon ride, and those mm's worked well. There will be times you will want to zoom, and other times you will want a wider angle.

Wanda Krack Loc: Tennessee, USA

I took an 18-200mm lens on a balloon ride, and those mm's worked well. There will be times you will want to zoom, and other times you will want a wider angle.

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

robinsonl2 wrote:

Hi.i'm Larry. In September I will be going to Colorado for the first time.while there I will be fulfilling one of my bucket list items-going up in a ht air balloon. I am shooting with a Nikon 7100 and my longest lens is a 70-300. Any suggestions on taking pictures while I'm off the ground?

Three practical suggestions. 1) make a bathroom call before you lift off. 2) keep the camera on a strap 3) don't try changing lens - use a zoom.

robinsonl2

Thanks for the great advice. I appreciate it. I will put it to good use. Have a great day.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Make sure the camera is secure. Laugh if you will, but they do get dropped (occasionally). Make sure yours isn't one of them.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

robinsonl2 wrote:

Hi.i'm Larry. In September I will be going to Colorado for the first time.while there I will be fulfilling one of my bucket list items-going up in a ht air balloon. I am shooting with a Nikon 7100 and my longest lens is a 70-300. Any suggestions on taking pictures while I'm off the ground?

Pray you don't hit any power lines.

DJD Loc: Seal Beach, CA

I took my first hot air balloon ride a few months ago in Namibia. I didn't know what to expect. I found it exceptionally smooth. The balloon travels with the wind so you really don't feel the wind. Leave the mono pod behind, you won't need it and they may not let you take in on. If it's a morning flight, chances are you'll take off prior to sunrise. Get there early and take photos of the balloons as they are filling with hot air. I used a 18-200 lens on my D500 and it worked well. Our balloon basket was sectioned off to 4 people per section. The balloon turns in the air so you should get get shots from all angles. Google "photography from hot air balloons" and you'll get a lot of additional good advice. Put the camera down for a few moments and just enjoy the ride!! Have fun.

(Download)

Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado

I live in Colorado. Make sure you get to Rocky Mountain National Park. It is just outside of Estes Park. Bring a wide angle lens, and your longest zoom. The mountain vistas need wide angle and the zoom for wildlife.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

robinsonl2 wrote:

Hi.i'm Larry. In September I will be going to Colorado for the first time.while there I will be fulfilling one of my bucket list items-going up in a ht air balloon. I am shooting with a Nikon 7100 and my longest lens is a 70-300. Any suggestions on taking pictures while I'm off the ground?

I have shot motion picture film from a balloon. Great experience. Couple of tips: Camera should be attached to you in a manner that makes it impossible for it to fall out of the basket (not only dangerous to those below, but illegal). A chest harness is ideal and not expensive. Have someone take a photo of you in the basket showing off your camera (get close). If possible, do it just as you lift off and again as you land or just after. Some landings can be a bit rough, and the basket can drag for a short while. The chest harness will take care of any risk, but if you don't use one get a really good grip on your camera/hold it against your body to protect it before you meet the ground. Have fun!!! >Alan

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

robinsonl2 wrote:

Hi.i'm Larry. In September I will be going to Colorado for the first time.while there I will be fulfilling one of my bucket list items-going up in a ht air balloon. I am shooting with a Nikon 7100 and my longest lens is a 70-300. Any suggestions on taking pictures while I'm off the ground?

Yes. Forget long, go wide or ultra-wide.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

robinsonl2 wrote:

Hi.i'm Larry. In September I will be going to Colorado for the first time.while there I will be fulfilling one of my bucket list items-going up in a ht air balloon. I am shooting with a Nikon 7100 and my longest lens is a 70-300. Any suggestions on taking pictures while I'm off the ground?

I would think 16-55mm would work much better. You will see grand vistas that you can't capture at 70-300m.

Normal eyes have approximately the same field of view as a 32mm lens on the D7100: ~46º.

Your 70-300mm has a field of view on the D7100 of 23º to 5º, so your lens will have a much narrower field of view. Do you want to photograph a tree or a mountain range?

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/simulator/

ecurb1105

robinsonl2 wrote:

Hi.i'm Larry. In September I will be going to Colorado for the first time.while there I will be fulfilling one of my bucket list items-going up in a ht air balloon. I am shooting with a Nikon 7100 and my longest lens is a 70-300. Any suggestions on taking pictures while I'm off the ground?

I think 70-300 is too long for a half frame camera in a hot air balloon. I would think a moderate wide angle to short tele zoom or even a 35mm prime. If you're comfortable changing lenses in a basket take short and long lenses.
Shoot a lot and have fun, I envy your flight, it's also on my bucket list.😎

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

ecurb1105 wrote:

Shoot a lot and have fun, I envy your flight, it's also on my bucket list.😎

I think that sould be a basket list. LOL!

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I have been Ballooning for many years. We sponsor for many years the last two years I shot the Festival at the Teton Balloon Festival. If I were riding I would keep it simple. Most often they cast of day break. Fill the envelope is worthy. When you are in the basket riding no flash or pods. Lenses crop 10-20, ff16-30. Be ready for anything so toggle from SS to burst quickly is desirable.

Hell just have fun. I was given a long week-end as a gift from a very caring boss.

J. R.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Lots of great ballooning advice here. While on the ground, you may want to drop by Garden of the Gods and the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Look for mountain goats at the top. Have a great trip.