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what lens should I use for a helicopter ride

awioa
Contributor

I won a ride in a helicopter and i am wondering what would be the best lens/adaptor for me to use.

 

I have a Cannon EOS Rebel XTi here are my options with what I have:

 

Lens

50-100mm

75-300mm

 

Adaptors

.35x Super Wide Fisheye

.43x Wide Angle

  1. 2x Telephoto lens

Filters

UV

CPL

ND8

Halftone Orange

Halftone Blue

 

I also have a 50mm Prime which i just don't think would work for this and a 500-1000mm/2x multiplier. I wasn't really looking at using this one since I need to be a lot more steady with it and on a chopper... no way...  LOL

 

Thanks for any input

3 REPLIES 3

The XTi doesn't have particularly good low-light performance, but you're going to need fairly high shutter speeds. So wide apertures would be a help. What's the 50-100? One of the old f/2.8 Sigmas? (Just guessing, because it's about the same vintage as an XTi.) If so, I guess I'd be inclined to take that. I'm betting that your 75-300 isn't a constant-aperture f/2.8.

 

I don't know much about aerial photography; so if you hear from someone who does, take his/her advice over mine.

Bob
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

I did a heli tour of Kauai way back when the 20D was the new body to own. It was a heli without doors which made for great photos & I used a Sigma 18-200 (the original non OS version) with very good results using Sport Mode. I think I used the lens from full wide to full long but more were wide to mid range than mid to long end

Based on reading threads giving suggestions for photos from a heli with doors wear dark clothes to cut down on reflections from you. . 

"A skill is developed through constant practice with a passion to improve, not bought."

ebiggs1
Legend
Legend

I did areal photography one time.  What you have listed would not be on my short list for lenses to take at all.

Maybe you could supply a little more info of the 50-100mm ?  I am going to guess you have the first version of the Canon EF-S 75-300mm?  It is a faily slow lens but if these two are the only possibility, I'd choose it.

 

It and the XTi will work as a mattter of fact I took two XTi's on my flying photo experience.  But I had the fantastic EF 70-200mm.  Another thing, there is NOT a lot of room on these aircraft.

EB
EOS 1D, EOS 1D MK IIn, EOS 1D MK III, EOS 1Ds MK III, EOS 1D MK IV and EOS 1DX and many lenses.
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