Night Aerial Photography

Here's the Plan: Take a small aircraft down the Hudson River at

night to photograph the Manhattan skyline as well as the Statue of

Liberty. Here's the equipment: Nikon F4 (I'm waiting for a FF Nikon

digital SLR before I upgrade), 85mm f/1.4 with either Kodak or

Ilford 3200 ISO B&W film, and a Kenyon KS-8 stabilizer. I'm

requesting some thoughts and suggestions about the plan and

equipment. I'm sure that I can get the lights exposed correctly, but

I'd like some detail in the shadow areas as well. Perhaps a full

moon would add a touch more light even though I'm sure that there

will be enough light with just the ambient glow.

Rent a Canon 5D and IS lenses as needed.

George,<br>

<br>

If you want a Nikon DSLR for use with your Nikkor lenses

including AIS, AI and AI(ed) Nikkors do consider the D200 or a

use D2 series Nikon. I am one who would like to see a FF Nikon

DSLR when they are practical and profitable for Nikon. The wait

for a FF Nikon DSLR may be short or long, the price may be modest

or more likely very high. The DX format is a gas for telephotos

and sucks for wide angle if you cant afford the limited

Nikkor DX offerings. Im very pleased with my D2H. For wide

and super wide I shoot film. <br>

<br>

If you really want to shoot film then I guess I might recommend a

Pentax 6x7. I used to shoot Royal-X in a Hassie at EI 800 and got

nice results. With coarse grained films, 35mm doesnt cut it

for me. Ive shoot Kodak P3200 at EI 1600, for general

photography I would not bother with it at EI 3200. Im

doubtful of the shadow detail youll get with Kodak P3200 at

speeds over EI 1000. <br>

<br>

The samples Ive seen from the 5D at high ISO are so good Id

just tape all the lenses at infinity, turn off AF and use image

stabilization. If you buzz the Statue of Liberty watch for F16(s)

and income missiles.<br>

<br>

Good Luck,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

Before your fight I recommend that you watch <u>1941</u>

staring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. ;)

For a variety of reasons, mostly darkness, this won't work. Try the Jersey and Brookyn shorelines and get a good tripod.

Has anybody else downloaded "google earth" and flown over NYC? Very cool if you have a few minutes.