Shooting helicopters... from helicopters

[Rafal_BC]

Somehow, I've gotten myself involved in shooting for a helicopter charter company (I know, what a drag!) We went out for a few runs today and while I'm fairly happy with the results, I know I could do better.

For anyone who's got some experience in shooting from helicopters, any tips, tricks or advice?

We may be going out again in the near future, so I'd like to get some ideas of how better to do it. (I'm a perfectionist.)

Also, depending on when and where we're going, I'm pretty sure taking the doors off is an option. Any specific advice on shooting from an open door? (max speed 70 knots I'm told).

FWIW, the two machines are Eurocopter AS 350 B2's.

Thanks!

(Will post a few pics when I've processed them.) :D

[PhotosGuy]

I'd like to get some ideas of how better to do it. (I'm a perfectionist.) Choppers are tough. Lots of vibration & slow rotating blades.
Airshow guys - prop freeze? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=229542) I'm pretty sure taking the doors off is an option. Do that. Attach your camera strap to your body, take only one other lens & be very careful if/when you change it.
Don't allow your elbow to lean on any part of the chopper.
I wouldn't take my bag with me. Chopper vibrations do a great job of loosening screws on camera equipment.
And, as always, plan on getting the best light, as in late light, for all/some of your shots.

Shooting from a Helicopter (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=707548)

[tomd]

posting your pics from the last shoot will help open up the discussion here.

Congrats on the job!

[Rafal_BC]

Ok, so here are a couple of shots I like:

http://rafalandronowski.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/helis_002.jpg

http://rafalandronowski.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/helis_003.jpg

There's a few more on my blog: http://rafalandronowski.wordpress.com/ This was shot around northern Vancouver Island, B.C.

More to come as I finish them. We're planning a sunrise flight over some glaciers, soon.

So far, I've discovered the vibrations are a huge problem - even at 1/125 or 1/250 at 200mm or so (something I know I can handhold dead steady) some parts of the helis are showing up slightly blurred. And of course this can't really be solved by using a higher shutter speed as the blades would stop blurring.

...so any tips on getting sharper photos? I'm thinking door off and more room to maneuver will help me a fair bit. And yes, I've discovered that touching anything results in a very jumpy viewfinder!

What's a good FL to bring along? I found that the 70-200 + 1.4x was coming up short, but not sure I want to drag my 300/2.8 up there.

With regards to switching lenses or dropping stuff, not to worry - two bodies with a lens each and no changing of anything while I'm up there.

Thanks for the replies so far!

[PhotosGuy]

I found that the 70-200 + 1.4x was coming up short, Too short to shoot another bird? Can't fly closer? What sort of detail are you trying to get, anyway?