Anyone used the 28-135IS on a hot air balloon ride?

[The Photo Tuell]

Thinking of eventually taking some pictures from a hot air balloon, so trying to figure out the best lenses.

Currently have the Digital Rebel with kit lens, 50 1.8, and 70-200 F4L. The 28-135IS would be overlapping, but it sounds like the perfect range for a hot air balloon ride (wouldn't need to switch lenses), and the IS would help of course.

IS works through the full zoom range right?

[iwatkins]

If you are riding in a hot air balloon, can I advise that you beg, borrow or steal an ultrawide, i.e. something like a 14mm fish eye or say the Sigma 12-24mm.

Getting shots like looking straight up and getting the whole envelope in shot would be a great shot.

You can change lenses while on board though as they are very stable platforms. I would suggest that you don't need IS, unless light levels are low. However, do take a very wide and a tele and just put one in your pocket if you cannot carry gear on board.

In addition though I would suggest if you can take gear on board, take a very, very, well padded camera bag. I had an EOS1n, that ended up in about 30 pieces after a fairly hard landing many moons ago.

Cheers

Ian