Shooting from a small plane

On Saturday I’m shooting a car show for a local nonprofit. I’ve done it a number of times, but this time I’ve been asked to go up in a plane to shoot the layout of the show. (I’ll be leaning out the window, I guess!) It’s mostly a reference for the folks who run the show, so it doesn’t really need to be fabulous. But I’m not sure what lens to use. Do I go wide angle with the full frame camera? My gear list is below for reference.

I've had a chopper pilot refuse to go below 2,000'. Find out what his minimum height will be to get an idea of what lens you will need.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #18644881
I've had a chopper pilot refuse to go below 2,000'. Find out what his minimum height will be to get an idea of what lens you will need.

In a chopper that seems odd he couldn't drop to 1200 or 1000.

I'd do your 100-400 on the 6D2 and the 24-105 on the 40D. A wide angle won't get you close enough at the altitude you're likely to be flying (2000-3000 feet AGL).

Chet wrote in post #18644884
In a chopper that seems odd he couldn't drop to 1200 or 1000.

It isn't that odd. Below that altitude you have to start worrying about tall towers and you have very limited options if you were to have an engine failure. In aircraft, altitude is your friend.

LauraBean wrote in post #18644818
On Saturday I’m shooting a car show for a local nonprofit. I’ve done it a number of times, but this time I’ve been asked to go up in a plane to shoot the layout of the show. (I’ll be leaning out the window, I guess!) It’s mostly a reference for the folks who run the show, so it doesn’t really need to be fabulous. But I’m not sure what lens to use. Do I go wide angle with the full frame camera? My gear list is below for reference.

I’m sorry, but I don’t see your gear list. I need to use a cell phone to reply (thanks, Time Warner/Spectrum).

But you aren’t “leaning out the window” to get a good shot. The plane flys at 90 knots and the slipstream will give vibrations. He won’t fly below 1000 feet AGL due to FAA regulations. We are supposed to keep 1000 feet from structures and people in a “congested area”, which includes a car show. 1500 feet AGL is more likely.

A zoom lens is most effective. I like to fly with a 50-500. Shooting to the ground, I like to use shutter priority and keep the shutter speed high to reduce vibrations. I like to shoot out the window opposite to me so there is space for the lens and to keep the lens in the cockpit. Depending on the plane, you might be able to shoot through an open window. I use crop sensor cameras.
EDIT: My internet is back. I second S1a1om's recommendation.

Here are links to some of my albums from flying. You can see the EXIF information so you can see what settings might work for you.
https://www.flickr.com …/albums/7215766​7950099337

https://www.flickr.com …/albums/7215768​7121122131

https://www.flickr.com …/albums/7215768​6235788935

https://www.flickr.com …/albums/7215767​4457989971

LauraBean wrote in post #18644818
... (I’ll be leaning out the window, I guess!)

Oh, & take off the sun shade & don't lean the camera on the air frame. (Vibrations)

Like Cpt Jack said be ready to shoot out of the opposite side window. In general aircraft tend to be much smaller than most modern cars, and probably all American cars. They are tiny! Do you know what type of aircraft it will be? Hopefully it will be a high wing type, since that will mostly keep the wings out of the way while the pilot orbits the site.

You will be better off sitting behind the pilot if you can so that you have plenty of room to work, but again depending on the type and also your weight, since balancing the aircraft is pretty important. Don't rely on moving about much, again the pilot may well get unhappy about the shifting weight.

Still enjoy the flight, I always love flying in light aircraft and gliders.

Alan

These days, i would think you would get better results with a drone, although you would need a pilot with an FAA license to fly above the crowd.

sjnovakovich wrote in post #18645116
These days, i would think you would get better results with a drone, although you would need a pilot with an FAA license to fly above the crowd.

Even with an FAA certificate, you don't fly drones above a crowd without a waiver.

Please see: https://www.faa.gov/ua​s/getting_started/part​_107/

Antique car owners don't feel OK about drones due to the risk of damages to a car.

Thank you all! I'm looking forward to it, and I feel a little more prepared thanks to you all.

If you will be in a Cessna, you can remove the rod which holds the passenger window halfway open. This will allow the window to fully open, giving you more room to shoot. I use to shoot motion picture footage this way years ago when I made training films for pilots. All you need is a screwdriver (phillips head i think) to remove the rod.