Filters for aerials?

Hello all,

I apologize if this has become a redudant topic, but all of the postings I was able to locate seem to dance around

what I'm hoping to uncover.

I'm may be shooting some aerials at dawn/dusk, and have only ever shot aerials in bright sun in the past. I plan on

using a VR lens and a gyro stabilizer - but I'm more concerned about filters.

I already have UV filters and a circular polarizer - do I need a UV Haze filter? I have seen a lot of conflicting

information as to whether all of these filters are/aren't essentially the same. I really just want to make sure my

images are as crisp as possible due to a greater possibility for hazy weather during these times of the day. That

being the case, what is the best recommendation?

Thanks!

I think that what you will need the most appart from the filter is a parasol (thats in spanish, here's the link for a picture of this, you will find them in any photography store) http://www.exotec.com.ar/images/parasolga.jpg

Just use it like kinda pasting it to the airplane/helicopter window so you don't have any reflect and we can't see people eating their airplane food. Because i guess no one wouldlike to see it. The problem of this is that you can't use a filter with it. The other option is to use a polarizingfilter that reduces reflections in glass and water but can't totally erradicate them in the glass as the parasol.

Hope this helps you.

A polarizing filter will make the plastic window of a aircraft show beautiful colors and patterns, but otherwise will be useless for your purposes. Try shooting with the shortest focal length lens possible to avoid compressing the haze. I'm not sure how much help a haze filter (slightly blue) will be in dawn/dusk light (yellowish).

<Chas>

We will rent a helicopter and most likely the door will be removed. There will be no windows, so we're not worrying about reflections or other passengers.

Also, I'm not sure what focal length will be used. That will be determined by our subject if we are focusing on 1 particular building in a situation, or an entire master planned development. It will also be determined by what city we are in, and the airspace and distance we have to work with.

I believe what I'm really trying to conquer here is "atmospheric perspective." Which is what the air around us appears to do to objects that are in the distance. So really, I am confused about what types of filters are best recommended for aerials of architecture / scenes - so that is the main issue I'm looking at.

Thanks all.

Actually, there is a haze/UV2 filter. I used that a lot when I shot aerial refueling photos at 20,000 feet in the Air National Guard. That was a long time ago, so I did a search recently and learned that they are still available, but rare. You'll probably have to special order it. I recommend it because in my experience it really does make a difference, especially in air-to-ground photos. DISCLAIMER: My experience is with film. Not having done any aerials in digital, I don't know if my advice is valid today. I suspect haze is haze whether shooting film or digital, but who knows?

Will