Aerial photography with large format

[1ev]

I'm looking to invest in a large format for outdoor photography and specially for aerial photography. The beautiful Linhof

aerotechnika is way to expensive for me and is probably unusable for for "normal" pictures. But what about a normal field

view camera like the Technika? Is it possible to fix once accurately on infinity (before the flight for example) and then only

have to change the film during the flight? I have no experience with large format but I'm used to shoot at least at 1/250s

with a medium format. I do not shoot through a window so the wind might be a problem for the camera? So here my

question: can you imagine yourself hand holding a view 4x5 camera and shooting through an open window at 90 mph with

high enough shutter speed and expecting sharp images?

 

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Thank you for your ideas and camera suggestions.

 

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Colin

[shambrick007]

A Speed/Crown/Super Graphic might work for this � not a �full� view

camera, so less movements, and a little more solid. BUT, I�d worry

about all that wind on the bellows (unless you were using a very

short focal length lens). Maybe you could rig up some kind of wind

block on the wind side of the bellows.

[john lehman, college alask]

I have done this with both 4x5 and 2x3 speed graphics. I have also

tried it with a 2x3 Crown Graphics, but the shutter speed (nominally

1/250 but actually about 1/125) was not fast enough to eliminate

blur. My 4x5 Speed came with an aluminum shield for this -- it is

not necessary unless you slick the camera outside the window (which I

find too awkward, especially since I am piloting the airplane at the

same time -- I just open the side window and shoot thru it).

[tony_brent]

Used a Speed Graphic all the time in the Navy leaning out the door of

a helicopter. Every time a ship came out of the yard it had to have a

complete photo "rig" done. I was also the photo lab camera repairman,

and we used to set up a couple on infinity and add some extra screws

to lock the rail down. We also made a simple back-of-the-lens-board

bracket to hold a yellow filter gel. We used Grafmatic magazines

instead of two-sheet holders. No darkslide to blow away.

[dean_lastoria]

What about that HOBO rig. It's fixed focus and suposed to be built

like a door? There was an earier post and they are always advertised

in View Camera. Never tried one, it just occured to me.

Dean

[kahheng]

Peter Gowland still makes metal aerial cameras (you can get his

contact details at the Shutterbug.net site), and Granview cameras

(http://www.granview.com/) are another possibility.

[j_scott_haberer]

From my experience of shooting out of open windows... there is usually about 8 to 12 inches of distance out the window that you can reach where there is no wind. The fuselage sort of creates a windbreak of some sort due to the aerodynamics of the aircraft. A test flight would be advisable before thrusting a bellowed camera out a window. ALSO... be sure to tether your gear to your wrist or something solid so that it doesn't become a deadly object from above.

 

Also, consider that you may not have to stick the camera all the way out to get the shot you want. THis will depend on how much room you have to squirm around in and how agile you are. The navy photog gave you some very valuable insight and advice. In the 50's, all professionals used Speed and Crown graphics for photography and I suspect that aerial work was not an exception. Perhaps you would like to make a solid fixed focus point and shoot that holds the lens, a film holder and a view-finder for composition? Add a cable-release and a T-handle and you have something very durable and reliable for this sort of application. Scotty/Sioux City.