Helicopter Flight - which lens to use?

junototoro · 04-26-2012, 04:51 AM

I'm visiting Whitsunday Islands in Queensland Australia next month and will take a half hour helicopter flight above the heart reef and around. I wonder which lens I should attach to the camera before the flight (I assume it's not quite possible to change lens up there). 18-55 kit lens or 10-17 fisheye? I would like to take photos of myself and my partner in the helicopter as well, if possible...

Electric Eye · 04-26-2012, 05:18 AM

...My personal choice would be the ol' 18-55mm unless you like the look of the distortion the fisheye brings.

bdery · 04-26-2012, 05:18 AM

I'd recommend using a lens you feel comfortable using in most situations. You won't be in a position to change lenses often in all likelihood. I would avoid the fisheye, and even the kit lens might feel a bit limiting at the tele end. When I did such a tour above Kauai island in Hawaii, I had a Canon S2 superzoom and I used it most of the time at various tele FOVs. But I took some great wider shots. So I'd balance between the kit and the 55-300 depending on your style.

Enjoy the tour!

junototoro · 04-26-2012, 05:20 AM

I would think I'd want a wide angle view just because of what it is down there (the great barrier reef and many islands and very unique colored ocean and beach) ... but if I see the heart reef I'd want to zoom in for sure .... ;(

GaryH · 04-26-2012, 05:45 AM

18-55mm should work well.

Medium FormatPro · 04-26-2012, 05:51 AM

Yes, enjoy the tour and the flight; but please take this important notice.

Due to my experience in both photography and private flight (former marriage); that private aircraft aren't quite as well decked out (and smooth flying) as commercial flights. So if you could please **turn off** the SR settings in any Pentax camera. The vibration of most small aircraft is enough to actually damage the mechanism (the SR feature-mechanics). Sure there is always a chance that it will not be effetecd, but why take the gamble??

The camera should work fine without it.

Also even with a rubber lens hood - still avoid contacting directly the windows of the aircraft - and keep the camera in a soft sided but well absorbing case if you are not using it at the time

junototoro · 04-26-2012, 05:57 AM

Thank you all the people above.. I think I'll go with the 18-55.

I will remember to turn off the SR.. (I usually always have it on)

Vylen · 04-26-2012, 06:06 AM

Yep, helicopters can vibrate like hell... so I hope it'll be really sunny bright over in the Whitsundays, you'll need all that light for the quick shots

Last time I went to Hamilton Island (years ago) it was pretty drab weather... clearly made an impression on me, heh.

P.S I also suggest the 18-55

junototoro · 04-26-2012, 06:09 AM

I read April to June is a stunning time to visit, but I know the ocean weather can change suddenly during the day.. Hope I'll have some luck!

Mace · 04-26-2012, 06:15 AM

Take a fast lens. f5.6 might not be fast enough for sharp pictures. Then set it to manual focus and focus to infinity. Aperture as low as possible. From my expierience the onyl way to get sharp pictures.

daacon · 04-26-2012, 06:18 AM

I was on one a few years ago (Grand Canyon Tour) - believe I used the DA* 16-50. I did not turn off SR (never thought about it really) but I can see the point. It's a bumpy ride in general. I was very happy with most of the pictures. I tired to bump the shutter as fast as I could (ISO adjustment mostly).

junototoro · 04-26-2012, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by Mace

Take a fast lens. f5.6 might not be fast enough for sharp pictures. Then set it to manual focus and focus to infinity. Aperture as low as possible. From my expierience the onyl way to get sharp pictures.

I'll have a 55 1.4 and a 200 2.8 ... But I don't think the 55 1.4 is good for action modes at all..

slackercruster · 04-26-2012, 06:36 AM

Fisheye is no good. You want great shots? Get a Pentax 17-70, razor sharp and save the kit lens for the beach and sand.

Helicopter shots was all this guy did. Great companion dvd too. Check it out from your library.

http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Earth-Above-Revised/dp/081098461X/ref=sr_1_2?s...5447460&sr=1-2

This shot was before I got back into photography and just took snapshots with a cheap $70 PS cam. Had to zoom in some. A WA would had been useless unless we hovered up close.

junototoro · 04-26-2012, 06:41 AM

Originally posted by slackercruster

Fisheye is no good.

I used a cheap PS for this shot. Had to zoom in some.

You want great shots? Get a Pentax 17-70, razor sharp and save the kit lens for the beach and sand.

Helicopter shots was all this guy did. Great companion dvd too. Check it out from your library.

Amazon.com: The New Earth from Above: 365 Days: Revised Edition (9780810984615): Yann Arthus-Bertrand: Books

I was thinking about 17-70 Sigma... Which is better? Pentax f/4 or Sigma 2.8/4.5 ?

slackercruster · 04-26-2012, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by junototoro

I was thinking about 17-70 Sigma...

Sure, good lens as well. You wont go wrong with either lens.

Just be set to shoot, the photo ops go by too quick to screw around. If your hiring a copter you can direct the shoot. If on a siteseeing flight you got to get the shot when you can. If you have a choice of seats, pick the one with the cleanest window to shoot through.

Good luck...and post the shots when you get a chance.

04-26-2012, 04:51 AM	#1
junototoro Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 262	Helicopter Flight - which lens to use? I'm visiting Whitsunday Islands in Queensland Australia next month and will take a half hour helicopter flight above the heart reef and around. I wonder which lens I should attach to the camera before the flight (I assume it's not quite possible to change lens up there). 18-55 kit lens or 10-17 fisheye? I would like to take photos of myself and my partner in the helicopter as well, if possible...

04-26-2012, 06:36 AM	#13
slackercruster Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NE, USA Posts: 1,302	Fisheye is no good. You want great shots? Get a Pentax 17-70, razor sharp and save the kit lens for the beach and sand. Helicopter shots was all this guy did. Great companion dvd too. Check it out from your library. http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Earth-Above-Revised/dp/081098461X/ref=sr_1_2?s...5447460&sr=1-2 This shot was before I got back into photography and just took snapshots with a cheap $70 PS cam. Had to zoom in some. A WA would had been useless unless we hovered up close. Last edited by slackercruster; 01-22-2013 at 10:18 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Helicopter Ben Is Coming In For A Landing	mikemike	General Talk	6	06-09-2011 08:44 AM
Grand Canyon Helicopter ride	vievetrick	Photographic Technique	10	10-04-2010 07:31 PM
Helicopter Parenting	Gooshin	General Talk	2	06-29-2010 08:07 AM
Photographing high rise cityscapes from a helicopter. Lens choice?	Unsinkable II	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	16	05-11-2010 02:14 AM
Helicopter in flight	Steinback	Post Your Photos!	9	01-24-2009 09:32 PM

04-26-2012, 05:18 AM	#2
Electric Eye Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 238	...My personal choice would be the ol' 18-55mm unless you like the look of the distortion the fisheye brings.

04-26-2012, 05:18 AM	#3
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	I'd recommend using a lens you feel comfortable using in most situations. You won't be in a position to change lenses often in all likelihood. I would avoid the fisheye, and even the kit lens might feel a bit limiting at the tele end. When I did such a tour above Kauai island in Hawaii, I had a Canon S2 superzoom and I used it most of the time at various tele FOVs. But I took some great wider shots. So I'd balance between the kit and the 55-300 depending on your style. Enjoy the tour!

04-26-2012, 05:20 AM	#4
junototoro Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 262 Original Poster	I would think I'd want a wide angle view just because of what it is down there (the great barrier reef and many islands and very unique colored ocean and beach) ... but if I see the heart reef I'd want to zoom in for sure .... ;(

04-26-2012, 05:45 AM	#5
GaryH Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Philadelphia, Pa Photos: Gallery Posts: 764	18-55mm should work well.

04-26-2012, 05:51 AM	#6
Medium FormatPro Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Photos: Albums Posts: 1,668	Yes, enjoy the tour and the flight; but please take this important notice. Due to my experience in both photography and private flight (former marriage); that private aircraft aren't quite as well decked out (and smooth flying) as commercial flights. So if you could please turn off the SR settings in any Pentax camera. The vibration of most small aircraft is enough to actually damage the mechanism (the SR feature-mechanics). Sure there is always a chance that it will not be effetecd, but why take the gamble?? The camera should work fine without it. Also even with a rubber lens hood - still avoid contacting directly the windows of the aircraft - and keep the camera in a soft sided but well absorbing case if you are not using it at the time

04-26-2012, 05:57 AM	#7
junototoro Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 262 Original Poster	Thank you all the people above.. I think I'll go with the 18-55. I will remember to turn off the SR.. (I usually always have it on)

04-26-2012, 06:06 AM	#8
Vylen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,262	Yep, helicopters can vibrate like hell... so I hope it'll be really sunny bright over in the Whitsundays, you'll need all that light for the quick shots Last time I went to Hamilton Island (years ago) it was pretty drab weather... clearly made an impression on me, heh. P.S I also suggest the 18-55

04-26-2012, 06:09 AM	#9
junototoro Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 262 Original Poster	I read April to June is a stunning time to visit, but I know the ocean weather can change suddenly during the day.. Hope I'll have some luck!

04-26-2012, 06:15 AM	#10
Mace Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 56	Take a fast lens. f5.6 might not be fast enough for sharp pictures. Then set it to manual focus and focus to infinity. Aperture as low as possible. From my expierience the onyl way to get sharp pictures.

04-26-2012, 06:18 AM	#11
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	I was on one a few years ago (Grand Canyon Tour) - believe I used the DA* 16-50. I did not turn off SR (never thought about it really) but I can see the point. It's a bumpy ride in general. I was very happy with most of the pictures. I tired to bump the shutter as fast as I could (ISO adjustment mostly).

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

04-26-2012, 06:27 AM	#12
junototoro Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 262 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mace Take a fast lens. f5.6 might not be fast enough for sharp pictures. Then set it to manual focus and focus to infinity. Aperture as low as possible. From my expierience the onyl way to get sharp pictures. I'll have a 55 1.4 and a 200 2.8 ... But I don't think the 55 1.4 is good for action modes at all..

04-26-2012, 06:41 AM	#14
junototoro Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 262 Original Poster	Originally posted by slackercruster Fisheye is no good. I used a cheap PS for this shot. Had to zoom in some. You want great shots? Get a Pentax 17-70, razor sharp and save the kit lens for the beach and sand. Helicopter shots was all this guy did. Great companion dvd too. Check it out from your library. Amazon.com: The New Earth from Above: 365 Days: Revised Edition (9780810984615): Yann Arthus-Bertrand: Books I was thinking about 17-70 Sigma... Which is better? Pentax f/4 or Sigma 2.8/4.5 ?

04-26-2012, 06:45 AM	#15
slackercruster Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NE, USA Posts: 1,302	Originally posted by junototoro I was thinking about 17-70 Sigma... Sure, good lens as well. You wont go wrong with either lens. Just be set to shoot, the photo ops go by too quick to screw around. If your hiring a copter you can direct the shoot. If on a siteseeing flight you got to get the shot when you can. If you have a choice of seats, pick the one with the cleanest window to shoot through. Good luck...and post the shots when you get a chance.