air photography

[tantebes]

Does anybody know whether IS is usable for airphotography? All taken as a passenger within a small plane/paraglider/ULM.

Without the IS I shot sharp pictures from 1/500 or up.

TIA
--
http://www.pbase.com/tantebes/root

Danny

 

[Dan GSR]

what are you shooting?
if your in a plane and shooting the ground, it won't help really
as you need the fast shutter speed to freeze the motion

if your in a plane and shooting another plane going the same speed and direction, it will help

 

[tantebes]

I'm shooting the ground and can't swith lenses mid air for obvious reasons.

I can't decide between the 50mm 1.8 for his speed & sharp images or my 75-300mm usm is for the zoom range, the last one is very slow though.
--
http://www.pbase.com/tantebes/root

Danny

 

[Moto Guzzi]

To make propellers turn properly with 70-200IS 2.8 I need IS at 1/200 or lower.

Jet planes not.

--
350D+70-200IS 2.8 L
30D+400 5.6 L
Kit Lens
Canon Knowledge Bank:A sure read !
http://www.cps.canon-europe.com/kb/index.jsp

 

[tantebes]

http://www.pbase.com/tantebes/upload2

password "balaton"

These were taken with the kit lens. I'm afraid if I take the 75-300 usm is it's not going to work cos of slow AF The wind plays alot with these small airplanes so I don't know the IS can handle it. It worked out pretty good with the kit lens but I miss bigger zoom, I would like to see more detail of the places we've been on ground.

regards,
--
http://www.pbase.com/tantebes/root

Danny

 

[Guy Elden Jr.]

My experience with aerial photography is that haze plays a big role in the picture, as does high shutter speed. IS may help, but I'd get the fastest lens possible, and crank the ISO setting up to as high as you can stand, so you can get shutter speeds over 1/1000 sec. Then make sure you don't climb too high, otherwise haze will get in the way and make for a cruddy pic.

Also AF isn't much of an issue, since you pretty much just set it to infinity and forget it.

--
Guy

 

[eclipsechaser]

Does anybody know whether IS is usable for airphotography? All
taken as a passenger within a small plane/paraglider/ULM.

Yes, IS is usable. But it's not exactly necessary. It can help to dampen vibrations of the aircraft.

Without the IS I shot sharp pictures from 1/500 or up.

Exactly. Just put the ISO up enough to give you a nice shutter speed.



Canon20D
17-40L
Exposure: (1/1000)
Aperture: f/11
Focal Length: 33 mm
ISO Speed: 800



Canon20D
17-40L
Exposure: 1/3200 sec
Aperture: f/6.3
Focal Length: 19 mm
ISO Speed: 800

I suggest you go with your 50 f1.8 over the 75-300. Actually if you have anything wider, bring it! This presumes you're going for landscape shots. If you're taking other aircraft from the sky, it's the 75-300 with a lot of ISO. With 50 f1.8 you don't have to stop down too much because the distance between you and the ground shouldn't make your DOF too thin

--
Daniel

every time my friend succeeds, a little part of me dies

 

[tantebes]

Thanks everybody for the advice.

What was the altitude from where your photo's were taken? I would guess 500-600 mtrs?

--
http://www.pbase.com/tantebes/root

Danny

 

[Elan Remford]

I've found it helpful, but the mode I use makes a great deal of difference, and I use different modes for different circumstances. For example, when shooting from a relatively slow-moving rotor, Mode 1 works best for dampening vibration which most closely mimics conventional camera shake.

On larger or fixed-wing aircraft, especially jets, Mode 2 (panning) often works far better as the forward motion essentially creates a "perpetual pan" or a similar effect whereby you're moving in relation to the target, but trying to maintain the focal point.

In any event, I find IS to be such a broad benefit that I loathe occasions when I have to shoot without it. Even during circumstances when shutter speeds are sufficiently fast or the camera is firmly mounted, it has come to be a psychological safety net that I really enjoy, even when it may only be a "confidence" rather "practical" benefit. When it comes to psychological things like that, I've always been equal parts "psycho" and "logical".

Does anybody know whether IS is usable for airphotography? All
taken as a passenger within a small plane/paraglider/ULM.

Without the IS I shot sharp pictures from 1/500 or up.

TIA
--
http://www.pbase.com/tantebes/root

Danny

 

[eclipsechaser]

Thanks everybody for the advice.

What was the altitude from where your photo's were taken? I would
guess 500-600 mtrs?

I couldn't tell you! It was pretty normal altitude for a helicopter. I'm not sure what that would be though...

--
Daniel

every time my friend succeeds, a little part of me dies