Aerial photography of a football field - suggestions?

[MT]

I've been asked to take pictures of a football stadium from an airplane tommorrow. Something that I've never put any thought into doing, so I've got questions.

My first question is does anyone have any clues what lens and/or height I should be thinking about. (I have 50 f1.8, the 18-55kit lens and the 28-135). I'm leaning towards the 50 since it's the sharpest of the crew. However....

I googled briefly and found this FOV calculator http://www.dudak.baka.com/fovcalc.html (which doesn't include the 1.6 factor for digital). The pilot has indicated that the minimum height he can fly is 500' above any existing building.

Which leads to - would I get a better images with a wide angle from lower?

This is all assuming that tommorrow is a "bright" day - allowing a fast shutter speed stopped down. If it's heavily overcast I suspect the 50 is going to be my only choice.

Comments, suggestions, anyone want to lend a blimp?

[robertwgross]

...
Which leads to - would I get a better images with a wide angle from lower?


What does that matter? If 500 feet above buildings is as low as the pilot can fly legally, then that is it.

---Bob Gross---

[MT]

the FOV calculator - we would need to be higher than 500' to use the 50mm lens.

[tofuboy]

How many passes is the pilot going to make? You could prolong your flight by telling the pilot you need more shots :D

Maybe head down to the stadium today and stand 500+ feet away and see which focal length you need to fit the stadium in view. Of course you'll have to do some imagining as I'm sure the stadium is wider than it is tall. Not sure how much of the surrounding area you want to include in the shot as well, so keep that in mind as well. I still like the prolonged flight idea though ^^;;

[Jon]

In aerial work, you're going to be better off with the wider lens at lower altitude, because of the haze and the inevitable vibration from the small plane's engine. But unless you're trying for vertical shots, not obliques, you're going to be more than 500' away, even if the pilot's at 500' AGL. Probably more like 750-1000' and that's shooting at a 30-45 deg. below the horizontal. And verticals will have you poking fairly far out the a/c window or door. BTDT, got the frostbite (February in RI).

You are renting a Cessna or other high-winger, aren't you?

[MT]

and the pilot has a vested interest in a good shot - so I suspect I can have as many passes as I want. Although I'm not sure what kind of plane he owns.

Jon - I'm glad I'm not doing this in Feb in RI - frostbite sucks.

[Jon]

Although I'm not sure what kind of plane he owns.


Better find out - if it's a low-wing model he'll have to spend a fair amount of time banking to keep the wing out of the way. Oh, and let the local constabulary know you're going to be doing this, since they may, in this day and age, get a few phone calls about that plane circling suspiciously.

[MT]

a lot.

Thanks for all the advice - and the suggestion to alert authorities - hadn't thought of that. It's a small community so I'm not sure if they will get more or less calls.

I'll report back on the results - hopefully even with a shot or two.

[eric1]

hey MT, did you know that Bob Gross is an alumni?