10D From Helicopter

[fluff]

I had a wonderful oppurtunity yesterday to take my 10D up in the helicopter and do some shooting of some properties around my area. For some reason the pictures did not seem to turn out near as clear and crisp as I would have liked them to. Everything was set on Auto and I just was wondering what kind of recommendations of settings you guys might be able to suggest.

[Ikinaa]

I had a wonderful oppurtunity yesterday to take my d10 up in the helicopter and do some shooting of some properties around my area. For some reason the pictures did not seem to turn out near as clear and crisp as I would have liked them to. Everything was set on Auto and I just was wondering what kind of recommendations of settings you guys might be able to suggest.

Did you shoot through the closed or open window?

[fluff]

It was closed. But even though it was closed I would think that they would still be a little better than they are.

[Ikinaa]

It was closed. But even though it was closed I would think that they would still be a little better than they are.

Give us an example pic...

But windows in helicopters are (i guess, as i'm not in aeronautics) made of some sort of plastic, plexiglas, etc which is easily scratched, which is sure dirty from the outside, etc.
One thing I'd never do, would be to take picture through a window in auto mode.
I take pictures once in a while through windows in planes when I'm on a business flight, and I noticed : better put focus manually to infinity, aperture to about f/4 or f/5.6 and let the cam choose time...
I got a powershot G3, but the basics are the same... :)

[fluff]

Thanks for the information, here is an example, just doesnt seem to be as sharp as it could be.
http://www.ranchesandrivers.com/images/aerial.JPG

[Whaler]

What was the shutter speed? I would have shot 1/400 or faster.

[Ikinaa]

The picture seems not too bad, try some unsharpening mask.

[robertwgross]

What is a d10?

I know Canon makes a 10D.

---Bob Gross---

[Ikinaa]

What is a d10?

I know Canon makes a 10D.

---Bob Gross---

so that they have no problems, these clone-makers turn the letters in the names around, so nobody will sue them :twisted:

[fluff]

What do you mean d10?

[PhotosGuy]

If you get another chance, ask the pilot is he'll take the left door off for you. Some do, some won't.

[Cadwell]

I'd go for a higher shutter speed. 'Copters tend to vibrate a lot (at least all the ones I've been on have).

[skiphoto]

Hi, I do a lot of helicopter shooting and find that the IS system on the L series makes a big difference (Huge actually) I also use a Bush Hawk shoulder mount for any Non IS shots and the results have been awesome with the 10D.

Absoutely have the doors off the copter if at all possible and make sure that you are braced well in a solid position...ie not twisted in the seat against the harness.

Have fun

[skiphoto]

Faster shutter does also help

[richpix]

I had a wonderful oppurtunity yesterday to take my 10D up in the helicopter and do some shooting of some properties around my area. For some reason the pictures did not seem to turn out near as clear and crisp as I would have liked them to. Everything was set on Auto and I just was wondering what kind of recommendations of settings you guys might be able to suggest.

I've done a fair amount of aerial photography, from helicopters and fixed-wing planes. Here are some recommendations:

As high a shutter speed as possible--1/500 sec. minimum if IS lens not used. You're dealing with vibration and movement of the craft.

Focus at or near infinity--depth-of-field is not an issue.

Don't use any part of the aircraft for bracing--vibration is transmitted directly to the camera. Arms slightly away from the body work great for damping vibration.

Don't shoot through glass if at all possible.

Use a hand-held meter if possible--haze can be hell on metering with the camera.

UV filter is very helpful.

Watch horizons--they can be a challenge to keep level.

[fluff]

Thanks for all the suggestions, hopefully I can get it down sooner or later.

[Vic_izoita]

[/quote]What is a d10?

I know Canon makes a 10D.

---Bob Gross---


LOL!

[robertwgross]

I'm constantly amazed by how many photographers cannot remember the model number of the camera they use.

Or, worse yet, they think it was made by Cannon (sic).

---Bob Gross---

[fluff]

:roll: I am consistently amazed at how people spend so much time on the internet, and all they do is tell people what is wrong with each of their posts. GET A LIFE. I have had the camera for a grand total of 1 day!!!

[robertwgross]

:roll: I am consistently amazed at how people spend so much time on the internet, and all they do is tell people what is wrong with each of their posts. GET A LIFE. I have had the camera for a grand total of 1 day!!!

One day? That's good. We had that figured out when you said you went up in a helicopter and had the camera set on full automatic.

---Bob Gross---

[Tom W]

:roll: I am consistently amazed at how people spend so much time on the internet, and all they do is tell people what is wrong with each of their posts. GET A LIFE. I have had the camera for a grand total of 1 day!!!

Its the only legal form of hazing left! :)

I like the shot - follow the advice given and you'll do even better. I was expecting much worse given that you were airborne in a device that defies gravity like that. :)

[sparty314]

One day? That's good. We had that figured out when you said you went up in a helicopter and had the camera set on full automatic.

---Bob Gross---

Bob,

I'd like to refer you to an excellent website. (http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html/) You might find it useful when formulating your replies. After reading the suggestions, I now find myself thinking a little bit more about what I write.

Hope this helps!

[sparty314]

[quote=robertwgross]
One day? That's good. We had that figured out when you said you went up in a helicopter and had the camera set on full automatic.

---Bob Gross---

What is a d10?

I know Canon makes a 10D.

---Bob Gross---

Bob,

I'd like to refer you to an excellent website. (http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html/) You might find it useful when formulating your replies. After reading the suggestions, I now find myself thinking a little bit more about what I write.

Hope this helps!

[robertwgross]

Another important thing about a forum is to wipe out your mistaken or redundant postings.

---Bob Gross---

[Tom W]

:lol:

I'm enjoying this exchange for some reason....

[robertwgross]

Thirty years ago, I had a hard time getting any kind of decent shot out of a helicopter unless the shutter speed was cranked up to the max. Of course, in those days, it was with ASA64 film. Maybe 1/1000th was as fast as we could go.

If the aircraft vibration didn't get you, the glare off windows would. On a Huey, you could just slide the doors back.

I tried shooting straight out of the back door on a Chinook one time, but the exhaust made lots of ripples in the air, so that didn't work.

On a Russian troop helicopter, all I could get to was one small window, and there wasn't much of a good angle.

---Bob Gross---

[richpix]

Another important thing about a forum is to wipe out your mistaken or redundant postings.

---Bob Gross---

Rules for Flame Wars:
http://www.alsirat.com/flame.html

[sparty314]

Another important thing about a forum is to wipe out your mistaken or redundant postings.

---Bob Gross---

Point taken :D . Cut me some slack... ... I was watching the end of "The Apprentice" as I was posting.

[richpix]

Point taken :D . Cut me some slack... ... I was watching the end of "The Apprentice" as I was posting.

OK.

"You're Fired!"

Now go write a book about your experience and make lots of money to purchase photo equipment. Then you can do the book of photographs which will be better than the book you wrote about your experience with a billionaire, but which will sell far fewer copies.

[fluff]

All I wanted was a little advice, I guess this was even the wrong forum for that. Luckily Bob didnt catch that part, but here nor there, I really enjoy this site. I am quite a novice photographer, but really enjoy the heck out of it when I get a chance. Thanks for all the tips, I am learning slowly, but the great thing about digital photography is that it is very easy to learn from your mistakes and correct them, filling up a memory card is easy, and formatting it when all your pictures are no good is even easier! :D

[PhotosGuy]

All I wanted was a little advice, I guess this was even the wrong forum for that.
If I understand you correctly, you're complaining? Please note that your questions were answered, by several people. You didn't get "a little advice". You got a lot of it!

The wisecracks didn't start 'till we got the job done. Is there something wrong with that?

[fluff]

And I appreciate it, I just should have posted in the Critique forum in the first place. Now I know.

[Tom W]

All I wanted was a little advice, I guess this was even the wrong forum for that. Luckily Bob didnt catch that part, but here nor there, I really enjoy this site. I am quite a novice photographer, but really enjoy the heck out of it when I get a chance. Thanks for all the tips, I am learning slowly, but the great thing about digital photography is that it is very easy to learn from your mistakes and correct them, filling up a memory card is easy, and formatting it when all your pictures are no good is even easier! :D

You will, with time, learn to appreciate Bob. In fact, you'll find yourself enjoying his posts. He's gentle, but unforgiving.

[jimsloy]

Another important thing about a forum is to wipe out your mistaken or redundant postings.

---Bob Gross---

Point taken :D . Cut me some slack... ... I was watching the end of "The Apprentice" as I was posting.


Take a picture of Omarosa and use it as a dartboard.