Hot air balloon ride - what lens?

[JoYork]

Hi folks,

I'm thinking about booking a ride in a hot air balloon shortly. I'm a bit nervous about heights but I think if I have a camera in my hand I'll be fine. I was wondering what are the best lenses to take with me? I could borrow a friend's camera so I could have a wide lens and a telephoto, or do you think I'd only need the one?

I have a 10-22, 17-55, 70-200, 100-400 to choose from.

[FlyingPhotog]

Hi Jo... Sounds like a great adventure.

I'd suggest two bodies as a time saver but balloons are generally very stable so changing lenses isn't a huge hassle.

If you do go with two, I'd mount the 10-22 on one and the 70-200 on the second. Ballooning offers exceptional opportunities for UWA fun but the 70-200 will alllow you to capture faces and details during inflation and preparation and also allow you to isolate some nice details on the ground from the air.

Do post up in Transportation afterwards, eh? :D

[JoYork]

Oh I will. I'm hoping to go on a morning flight too so hopefully there will be some nice light too :)

[telemacro]

this action is in my plan, too...
my 10-20 for horizontal scene...
50mm for inner basket portraits
55-250 for portraits in near baskets...

[Staszek]

this action is in my plan, too...
my 10-20 for horizontal scene...
50mm for inner basket portraits
55-250 for portraits in near baskets...

What's the size of the basket? The 50 might be too tight.

[birdfromboat]

agree with all thats been said, you will want a wide and a zoom. Most people that are afraid of heights are not affected by balloon rides in my experience. See if you can get involved in the set up, it is a very definite confidence instiller.
keep the zoom handy at loww altitudes for the shocked look on peoples faces when you 'sneak ' up on them and they suddenly realise there is a giant brightly colored balloon closer to them than anyone would think you could ever get in a giant brightly colored balloon without being noticed. priceless.

[Mark_Cohran]

Hi Jo... Sounds like a great adventure.

I'd suggest two bodies as a time saver but balloons are generally very stable so changing lenses isn't a huge hassle.

If you do go with two, I'd mount the 10-22 on one and the 70-200 on the second. Ballooning offers exceptional opportunities for UWA fun but the 70-200 will alllow you to capture faces and details during inflation and preparation and also allow you to isolate some nice details on the ground from the air.

Do post up in Transportation afterwards, eh? :D

I did this a few years ago, and I definitely agree with Jay's recommendations.

[hawaiiboy]

My wife and I are booked for a sunrise ride on the 26th in Langley, BC.
I will be taking my SX10 along.

[troubleshot]

Go WIDE. As I remember, I used 24mm and 18mm on my film EOS when I went. I don't remember using anyithing else. I found details on the ground much less interesting than the overall low-altitude view and the early light and long shadows show that off nicely. Have fun!

[Mark_Cohran]

Go wide is one philosophy, but I would have regretted not taking a long lens with me as I was able to get a unique perspective of subjects from above.

[sandpiper]

agree with all thats been said, you will want a wide and a zoom. Most people that are afraid of heights are not affected by balloon rides in my experience. See if you can get involved in the set up, it is a very definite confidence instiller.
keep the zoom handy at loww altitudes for the shocked look on peoples faces when you 'sneak ' up on them and they suddenly realise there is a giant brightly colored balloon closer to them than anyone would think you could ever get in a giant brightly colored balloon without being noticed. priceless.

I agree with all the above. One other thing I would suggest is that you make sure you have a padded case handy to stick your gear in just before landing. Although there is little real danger, if the wind conditions mean a landing is a little quick, the basket can tip and drag along the ground. You will probably need both hands to hang onto the rope handles to stop yourself falling and it won't be easy to hang onto your gear, which could take a tumble. The pilot probably won't want to have potential injuries caused by flailing / falling cameras either.

Don't let this worry you, a good 'drag' is all part of the fun of ballooning (I've been in several). Besides, the likelihood is that the conditions will be fine for a standup landing (although likely with a hop or two).

Ballooning is great fun, you will enjoy it (birdfrom boat is quite correct in the statement that balloons don't instill as much vertigo as you would expect, they are very stable platforms whilst in the air).