Suggestion for helicopter ride?

Hello everyone. Tomorrow I will be going on a helicopter ride to photograph

the Dominican carnival in the province of La Vega and i will like to know if

someone could give me some advice as of what equipment to bring. I have the

Canon Rebel XT, the 30D, and for lenses I have the 17-85mm, the 28-135mm and

the 100-400mm. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

A seat belt! :O)

Sorry, I couldn't help myself!

 

If allowed, I would bring it all!

 

Ken.

Having shot in a helicoptor (in Kuaii, HI) and a small airplane (Western MA, not quite the same I know.....) before, although my personal style of shooting would tell me to bring all the lenses and only put them on the 30D; my slight experience has taught me a few things to consider.

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1) You will have a minimum amount of time to shoot and it is not particularly convenient to change lenses in a helicopter. - I would consider mounting two of the lenses, likely the 17-85mm and the 100-400mm, letting which one you will likely use more on the 30D. If you really think you need to cover the range between 85-100mm for some reason and have the time/ability to switch lenses, take it in a belt pack and make sure it is secure and can fit the lens that is coming off the camera.

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2) You will be shooting from a confined space with plastic/glass. - If you are chartering the helicopter and can open a window to shoot out of and direct the pilot which way to turn the helicopter, wonderful. I was not so lucky as I wasn't the only person shooting. If you are shooting through the glass/plexiglass of the windows (as unfortunately many turist sightseeing helicofters require) make sure you are using a polarising filter, and plan on turning it minimize inside reflections each time you change your angle of view.

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3)You will be in a moving, vibrating vehicle. - No matter how good your pilot is, the craft is going to move, shift, vibrate, etc. Be careful to keep a good natural view of your subject and then try shooting by framing it wide then zooming in rather than trying to lacate it will zoomed in. Good luck to you locking onto a subject at 400mm which will have the FOV of a 640mm lens with your cameras; don't make yourself sick. Also, shoot at a reasonably fast shutter speed to compensate for vibration and rotational movement of the helicopter; the actual lateral movement of the helicopter in relation to the subject should not be too much of an issue unless you are very low/close to what you are shooting and moving quite fast.

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4)You are in a vehical that is both very hard and high above ground which is very hard and said vehicles has doors. - This may seam like an obvious and somewhat trivial thing, but, wear your cameras around your neck, and if you take any accessories, wear them in some way as well. While you may realize the inportance of having your camera around your neck if shooting out an open window, I found out the hard way that small aircraft doors do not always lock completely. No I didn't fall out, not did any of my equipment, but I nearly had a heart attack when the pilot of the 4-seat plane I was in did a turn which tipped the plane slightly and my door swung open giving me a very clear view of the ground 3,000+ feet below. I had a lap-belt on, but I had two cameras with me, and my feet very tightly clamped down on the $3,000+ Mamiya 645AFD & Lens combination I had resting between them while I shot with a fixed lens digital.

 

Any questions, let me know. Again, somewhat limitted experience.

Shoot as fast a shutter speed that will let you shoot at the sharpest F-stop,usually 5.6 or f8. Do not let your camera, or arms touch any part of the helicopter,use your body to absorb the vibration.If you have any input as to time, lighting is better in the morning and evenings as you will have shadows in your photos. One of the enemies of aerials is flat lighting.

Leave the doors behind. With a harness you can shoot off one of the skids. I would take one camera and the 28-135.

Been there, done that. Shooting through an open door is preferable (making sure your gear is secured), but that was then and this is now. I'd suggest bringing a roll of paper towels and window washer spray, and offere to clean the inside and outside of the windows before the pilot takes off.

Do as I do: Don't put all your weight down!

Philip Greenspun posted a new aerial photography tutorial a few days ago. It's brief, but there is some discussion of helicopters in it.

 

http://www.photo.net/learn/aerial/primer

Just adding an example, because I had fun, but didn't have any on-hand when posting earlier.....<div></div>

Gaffer's tape for the seat belt latch!

 

At least I heard my teacher say that when he goes on a helpicopter for pic taking...

 

-Mario

thanks for the advice. I went on the ride yesterdady and really took al the equipment I could cary without a bag. Unfortunatly it went from a really sunny day to overcast about one hour before my ride. I tried my best. Then when the ride was over the sun came out. I managed to get some decent photos of the carnival from thr ground. Any ways thanks for all the advice. And I just cant wait to get into another helicopter.