taildragger Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p>Hello all,<br> I'm an aerial photographer and was wondering what you guys/gals thought about it being used for aerial photography? I appreciate any and all feedback.<br> Thanks,<br> Tom</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Laur Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p>How do you normally stabilize what you're using now? What lens(es) do you use? How is your output used?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holger Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p>Exactly what I am looking foward to... 3 times the resolution compared to my faithful D300. Keeping the camera steady enough will be the main challenge, I suppose, at least with the sort of plane I fly with. VR will be essential, even if I would love to use the 50 mm f/1.4 AF-S for its sharpness. Wait and see...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter_in_PA Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p>I bet VR is useless for aerial photography, that the only thing that is real useful is shooting at high shutter speeds or one of those super-heavy gyro things I've seen.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holger Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p>Not really, I have had better results with VR "Active" than with no VR. Sure, super-heavy gyro things will further improve results, but that's out of my financial reach (plus I don't shoot aerial full time).</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p>Not sure if high resolution would be especially helpful for aerials. But shooting at a high speed would relieve the need for a tripod where it is not possible to use one. In my experience, I could get some good shots with the D300 (yes, VR at Active), especially when the subjects are side-lit. I will surely try it with the D800 as well.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taildragger Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p>Thanks guys for the responses. I keep my shutter speeds as high as possible 1/500th and faster. I also have a ken-labs gyro that I use on occasion (very heavy and tough to use when you fly and shoot). My main lens' are a 24-70 and 80-200 f/2.8 Nikon. As far as usage of the files it depends on the clients. Some just use the digital files on computers/web and the images may never get printed whereas some enlarge them to wall size and beyond (which I use my Pentax 67 for). </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Doo Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p><< I keep my shutter speeds as high as possible 1/500th and faster. >><br /> 1/500 is probably too slow for horizontal movement. I find my 70-200 works very well for targeted composition. I do use the 24-70 too.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jody_stowitts Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p>Sounds absolutely ideal. You should have outstanding resolution, especially with E model.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShunCheung Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 <p>To take full advantage of the 36MP from the D800, you need stability as a lot of people have already pointed out, and you need a clear day. Any haze, etc. will make those 36MP meaningless. In that sense it is not that different from your Pentax 6x7, so I am sure you are already familiar with the issues. The main difference is that there is no VR on 6x7.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicaglow Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 <blockquote> <p>Not sure if high resolution would be especially helpful for aerials.</p> </blockquote> <p><br /><br> Resolution is usually everything in aerial photography, depending on the type of work. I would think 36mp is a big deal. I used to use 4x5 and Hasselblads (and roll LF film when I worked for someone else) when I made money doing aerial work. Bigger (or more mp) is better. I would also look at the D800E model.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_halliwell Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 <p>I'd be interested if shooting lots of shiny steel and glass cityscapes, or maybe complex brick structures, they might moire? <br> If it's natural landscapes, the D800E has got to be a winner on good clear days.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taildragger Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share Posted February 22, 2012 <p>Yeah, I agree with the importance of resolution for aerials. I was torn between the 800 vs the 800E and decided to go with the 800 just because I didn't want to deal with moire. I think it will be an easier workflow to sharpen images than to address moire. Thanks to everyone that responded. I appreciate your thoughts on this topic. Once I get it I'll post some updates.....hopefully it's all good. :)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinora_de_rivera Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 <p>Some of these aerials were done with D800:</p> <p>http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/article/2013/03/26/jeremy-jacobs-mark-bellissimo-wellington-florida/</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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