G6 Pictures in helicopter

[stevem650]

I'm taking a Grand Canyon tour by helicopter while in Vegas next week. I only have one time to get the pictures right. Can anyone help me as far as what would be the best G6 settings while moving in the helicopter? I only have the Canon G6 stock lens. I'm new to photography and don't want to take blurry pictures due to movement. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Biko]

I have not taken pics out of a helicopter but have access to some that were taken from one, looking at the exif info the photographer always used a speed of 1/400 lenses were 18mm to - 70 so that was not the reason.

My guess is that it is where the photographer was happy regarding vibration and movement, the helicopter would have hovered slowly.

I would put G6 on Tv and try shutter speed such as 1/400 or higher and check the aperture ideally where lens is at optimum at around 5.6 - 6.3. You want ISO as low as can go for quality.

If you are using the zoom you might need a higher speed, I would check the first few images to make sure they are sharp.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Vibration is the real problem.
In the early 70's I was chief photographer for Skyfotos, who specialozed in pictures of shipping. we used ex airforce cameras 9x9 inches for black and white and 5x4 for colour. the focus was fixed at infinity.
Never lean the camera on any part of the plane it increases vibration.
Aperature is unimportant, in as much every thing will be at infinity, so depth of field is not an issue.
Use a slow ISO for quality and as high a shutterspeed as you can. The faster the better.
We always used direct viewfinders with wire frames it is much easier.
I would use the optical view finder, but remember to fill the frame hard as it gives a 20% safety factor on the G series....which is far too much.
soon as you get up take a test shot the light changes very little from above.
Have fun.

[Superbaldguy]

I'd think the S3IS would be an ideal tool if you wanted do do aerials with a compact; the log end of the G6 just can't get close enough, as a rule, and some sort of stabilization would be a great asset.

[Terrywoodenpic]

I don't think you will need much tele in the grand canyon.
The whole thing about it is it's size.
Large views are the thing at an oblique angle.

[EOS mE]

Vibration is the real problem.
In the early 70's I was chief photographer for Skyfotos, who specialozed in pictures of shipping. we used ex airforce cameras 9x9 inches for black and white and 5x4 for colour. the focus was fixed at infinity.
Never lean the camera on any part of the plane it increases vibration.
Aperature is unimportant, in as much every thing will be at infinity, so depth of field is not an issue.
Use a slow ISO for quality and as high a shutterspeed as you can. The faster the better.
We always used direct viewfinders with wire frames it is much easier.
I would use the optical view finder, but remember to fill the frame hard as it gives a 20% safety factor on the G series....which is far too much.
soon as you get up take a test shot the light changes very little from above.
Have fun.

Terry, what do you mean by "to fill the frame hard"? I read on other posting that the OP mentioned about filling the frame. Can you explain? Thanks!

rui

[Terrywoodenpic]

Terry, what do you mean by "to fill the frame hard"? I read on other posting that the OP mentioned about filling the frame. Can you explain? Thanks!

rui
when you look through the viewfinder on a G camera and compare what you see in the frame with what you actually get in the picture, you will find that you get a lot more in the picture.
Filling the frame hard, means not allowing any extra around the subject as the camera will give you 20% more anyway. Try it out when you next pick up the camera.

[EOS mE]

when you look through the viewfinder on a G camera and compare what you see in the frame with what you actually get in the picture, you will find that you get a lot more in the picture.
Filling the frame hard, means not allowing any extra around the subject as the camera will give you 20% more anyway. Try it out when you next pick up the camera.

ahh.. i see what you mean now. gotta try that out next time, but i would have to remove the adapter first.. since a portion of it blocks my viewfinder.

[Mick Finn]

Hi there. Unless your using an SLR with a long lens, in which case IS is the way to go, any point and shoot camera will be fine. No special settings are required other than going for higher shutter speeds if possible.
As mentioned, don't rest the camera on the helicopter. ;)

[Donny1]

Just put the dial to "auto" this camera is so intelligent it does 99.9% of the thinking for you. I have taken 1000's of aerial fotos using "auto". admittedly from a fixed wing not a rotary wing, like the guy said don't lean on the chopper for support, and preferably hire a helo with 4 rotor blades.. much smoother ride than 2 or 3 bladed versions. Why won't Canon give us a G7? !$#%@&^!!

[Mick Finn]

Donny1, sorry your wrong about the number of blades being a factor. I have flown crews doing Still, Beta-cam, and Movie, some with stabilised mounts, in a variety of different types of helicopters. Weather is usually the biggest factor when doing this type of work, and the cameraman and pilot knowing his stuff ;)

If you are flying with Papillon at the canyon, they are using Astar's and Longrangers, both of which offer a good ride.

[EOS mE]

Just put the dial to "auto" this camera is so intelligent it does 99.9% of the thinking for you. I have taken 1000's of aerial fotos using "auto". admittedly from a fixed wing not a rotary wing, like the guy said don't lean on the chopper for support, and preferably hire a helo with 4 rotor blades.. much smoother ride than 2 or 3 bladed versions. Why won't Canon give us a G7? !$#%@&^!!

i don't think there will be a G7.. but if they do and if they can make it so it will also have a battery grip so i can take shots sideways.. then i'll be all over that. but until then.. G6 is the only option there was... or is.. if you find a used one.

[stevem650]

Thanks for all the input. I will post some pix's from the chopper when I get back. Thanks

[Ballen Photo]

Steve, I haven't been on that tour, but I'm pretty sure they dont take the doors off, and you may be forced to shoot through the plexiglass. Plexiglass has a tendancy to be scuffed and not like optical grade glass. Flare and scuffs in the plexi can fool your auto focus, so, when you're up there, my advice is to use manual focus, set to infinity for most of your shots. Also, use shutter priority, keeping the shutter speeds as high as you can to offset the vibration that has been mentioned. Aircraft are prone to constant & intense vibration. Good LUCK, and have fun. :D
-Bruce
http://www.fototime.com/8A954D65CE714DB/standard.jpg