Need help

[rockycarr]

If I were to shoot pictures from a helo of boats on the water moving about 90-140 mph, what would be a good lens to use and how would you set up the D50 for this shoot. I have PM'ed greg but I know that there is alot of very knowagable people out there. Not you pyro. Just kidding I am awaiting you to chime in. LOL. You have helped me out in the past and I thank you, but I am looking for any one that might have done this type of thing and I dont want to screw up this great ride that I have going and blow it. Thanks for any help.

[Brazos River Rat]

Hello Bill, I served 4 yrs in the Navy and was aircrew for UH-1N helo's. You will probably come to agree that vibration is prolly the most nagging. I dont think you can go wrong with this link to help you out in your decision. Combat photographers are a rare breed of people as well the snipers that train to shoot from the helicopter as well. Hope this gives some insight on your decision. Take Care and Good Luck!!!
http://photofocus.com/2009/09/21/aer...-a-helicopter/

[90 5.0]

The 70-300 is a decent lens for sure but depending on how high up you are you might ahve wished for some more reach. On of the problems you will have with shooting the moving boats will be the focus tracking with the d50, it's not real good at it.

If this is a one time thing and you want to get it right i would suggest renting a d300 and a 80-400vr from someplace. If you don't have a local rental shop lensrentals.com is very well regarded and has reasonable rates.

personally i would use a 300 f/4 and a 1.4x as needed and keep the shutter at 1/1000 or higher. Hope this helps some.

[rockycarr]

Thanks for the great info from both of you. I like the link for the helo info. It will work for where to start. Thanks for the rental info as I did not know that it was an option. I do like the idea that rent it before you buy. Still waiting for the final dates and time. Thanks again.

Bill

[bassomatic]

Bill your shoot sounds like fun, I'm so new to this that I'm still learning myself. When you want to post there is a thread called "posting photos the easy way" that is good info. Have fun and be safe.
Steve

[90 5.0]

these were takin recently with the 300 f/4 with and without 1.4x teleconverter i was talking about to give you an idea of image quality you can expect out of it.

gives you roughly 620mm effective on a cropped body with the 1.4x.

[90 5.0]

these are with the 70-300 that was mentioned also.

[Pete B]

what type of helo are you shooting from??? the R-44's go about 100mph, as for lense I use a 28-105, most shoots we fly 25-50 off the water, it depends what the pilot is comfortable with as well, and having a good pilot makes a big difference!

[rockycarr]

Pete
Thanks for the info. I do not know what type of helo it is as of yet. They are still setting things up for this shoot. I have asked that before we shoot that I go up with him for a test just to set things up. Thanks for your info and that is a great shot of the boat. I hope that not being a pro that I could only make something look half as good as that. Thanks again and I will keep you up to date.

[Pete B]

where will the shoot be?? I am sure you will enjoy it. be safe.

BTW your seagull shot, here's one I took

[Pete B]

here's one of Jeff from Freeze frame in a 407, this is a much faster helo, but cost is higher per hour as well.

[Pete B]

one last thing youre the shooter, commmunication is the key, tell the pilot where you want to be.

[rockycarr]

The shoot is going to be taken place on lake erie, between Monroe MI and Put in Bay OH with LEOPA ( Lake Erie Offshore Performanceboat Ass.).
I do not know what bird we are going to be in as two different people have them and they are not sure which one we will be going up in. This is a cool shot of the bird that was taken.
I hope that I get that close to get a shot like that. This will be a great experiance for me as I have never done any thing like this other then shoot off a boat as they pass by me. I am hoping to get to go up with in the helo on a seperate time before the day of the event as to get a chance to work with them and see what they are going to do and how things will turn out so adjustments can be made before hand. Thanks again for your help and I will post when I know more.

[milkdud]

Im a photographer by trade Get a 70-200 2.8 if you can afford it 2nd choice 70-300 (3.5-5.6?) A mid range zoom and a wide will be nice. The 70-200 will work well you isolate the boat and get tighter shots. Focus tracking will not be a problem. Since you really not changing distances as you chase the boat. Your focus distance does not change much when you chase it is very static unless the chopper driver is bouncing around a bunch.
One thing to remember for fun shots it try to shoot your 70-300or 70-200 at a 60th of a second or less shtter speed. If you hold right the boat will be tack sharp and the water will blurr past the boat

[jdinny]

i use a 70-200 2.8 afs-vr with vr switched off on an old D2x.
I shoot from a 206b3 jet ranger