Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

**AggieDad** · 04-14-2018, 08:30 AM

Howdy!

I will be visiting the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry in May specifically to see the Pioneer Zephyr, the stainless steel passenger train on display there. It is a train my father helped build - he was the electrical foreman - during his career with the Budd Company.

I would like to know anything I can about how the display is presented and laid out and what might be my best photo opportunities. I understand that tripods are not allowed and perhaps (probably) flash as well.

My questions are about lens suggestions, how is the area lit, etc. - in essence, any information that can help me prepare for my visit so that my photos will be successful.

Many thanks,

Don

photoptimist · 04-14-2018, 09:04 AM

Have you tried using Google images? A search of "Chicago Museum Pioneer Zephyr" pulls up lots of images of the display.

normhead · 04-14-2018, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by photoptimist

Have you tried using Google images? A search of "Chicago Museum Pioneer Zephyr" pulls up lots of images of the display.

Ontario Northland still as far as I know uses a "Budd Car" on it's route to Moosenee that goes to James Bay. If you re taking a canoe up to a northern river, it's the way to go. They'll also load you up in Moosenee (where many Northern Ontario river trips end) and take you home.

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/regional-news/timmins/budd-car-draws...rth-601-361816

You want to ride a Budd Car? Drive to Cochrane, Ontario, take the "Polar Bear Express " to Moosenee.

**THoog** · 04-14-2018, 09:39 AM

It's in a rather narrow hallway, right next to the parking deck entrance. One side has a raised ramp for pretty much the entire train length; the other side is track-level. You are going to want wide lenses, especially for the interior. Exterior lighting isn't great, but it can be adequate for glamour shots of the front and rear if you push up the ISO and have steady hands - I got this with a DA 15 wide open on my K-01, 1/15 sec, ISO 3200. It was closing time and they were starting to turn off lights and chase people out, so I didn't have time to really work on the setup.

Kozlok · 04-14-2018, 10:33 AM - **2 Likes**

Contact the docent, tell them your story, agree to share your photos with them, and ask permission to bring a tripod. You might just get it. Tripods aren’t permitted due to liability, and to keep you from banging into the artifacts. When escorted by museum staff, the rules may change.

**AggieDad** · 04-14-2018, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by photoptimist

Have you tried using Google images? A search of "Chicago Museum Pioneer Zephyr" pulls up lots of images of the display.

Yeah, I sorta want to take my own photos – its my hobby.

Originally posted by normhead

Ontario Northland still as far as I know uses a "Budd Car" on it's route to Moosenee that goes to James Bay. If you re taking a canoe up to a northern river, it's the way to go. They'll also load you up in Moosenee (where many Northern Ontario river trips end) and take you home. You want to ride a Budd Car? Drive to Cochrane, Ontario, take the "Polar Bear Express " to Moosenee.

It's interesting that the Ontario Northland still has Budd cars in service. That makes them more than 50 years old. I worked at the factory one summer while in college in 1964 mainly on subway cars for the Philadelphia Subway but also a few dome cars for (I think) Union Pacific.

Originally posted by THoog

It's in a rather narrow hallway, right next to the parking deck entrance. One side has a raised ramp for pretty much the entire train length; the other side is track-level. You are going to want wide lenses, especially for the interior. Exterior lighting isn't great, but it can be adequate for glamour shots of the front and rear if you push up the ISO and have steady hands - I got this with a DA 15 wide open on my K-01, 1/15 sec, ISO 3200. It was closing time and they were starting to turn off lights and chase people out, so I didn't have time to really work on the setup.

Thanks for this information and the photo. This is pretty much what I suspected, and it is nice to have a clear idea of what I should be prepared for. My widest lens is a 28mm and I hope it will work for me.

Originally posted by Kozlok

Contact the docent, tell them your story, agree to share your photos with them, and ask permission to bring a tripod. You might just get it. Tripods aren’t permitted due to liability, and to keep you from banging into the artifacts. When escorted by museum staff, the rules may change.

I have written to the museum but have had a response. I suspect my best course of action will be to make a phone call. I do plan to have a monopod with me. I think I can get away with that.

My interest in the Zephyr stems from my father. Dad started with the Budd Company in Philadelphia as an electrical shop foreman in the early 1930s. When he retired he was still on the shop floor, but no longer a foreman. He was in charge of final assembly, responsible for every railcar that the company built and shipped.

I have written about the my dad and the Zephyrs for my siblings and my daughter. It is too long to post here on the forum (and not really the place), but if you have any interest, here is a link to my write-up.

04-14-2018, 08:30 AM	#1
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,460	Chicago Museum of Science & Industry Howdy! I will be visiting the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry in May specifically to see the Pioneer Zephyr, the stainless steel passenger train on display there. It is a train my father helped build - he was the electrical foreman - during his career with the Budd Company. I would like to know anything I can about how the display is presented and laid out and what might be my best photo opportunities. I understand that tripods are not allowed and perhaps (probably) flash as well. My questions are about lens suggestions, how is the area lit, etc. - in essence, any information that can help me prepare for my visit so that my photos will be successful. Many thanks, Don

04-14-2018, 09:28 AM	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by photoptimist Have you tried using Google images? A search of "Chicago Museum Pioneer Zephyr" pulls up lots of images of the display. Ontario Northland still as far as I know uses a "Budd Car" on it's route to Moosenee that goes to James Bay. If you re taking a canoe up to a northern river, it's the way to go. They'll also load you up in Moosenee (where many Northern Ontario river trips end) and take you home. https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/regional-news/timmins/budd-car-draws...rth-601-361816 You want to ride a Budd Car? Drive to Cochrane, Ontario, take the "Polar Bear Express " to Moosenee. Last edited by normhead; 04-14-2018 at 09:41 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
The latest Pentax News & Industry Announcements on the PF homepage	Adam	Pentax News and Rumors	39	11-28-2021 11:19 AM
Landscape Science North	Ramboner	Post Your Photos!	9	12-03-2016 04:47 PM
Highly reflective surface products (Petri plates) photography for science.	yurko_yr	Photographic Technique	20	10-09-2016 02:13 PM
Industry and Arts Museum BLDG	MKW	Monthly Photo Contests	0	05-31-2014 06:02 PM
Family trip to the science museum	Petthefish	Post Your Photos!	1	04-11-2008 05:07 AM

04-14-2018, 09:04 AM	#2
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,129	Have you tried using Google images? A search of "Chicago Museum Pioneer Zephyr" pulls up lots of images of the display.

04-14-2018, 09:39 AM	#4
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	It's in a rather narrow hallway, right next to the parking deck entrance. One side has a raised ramp for pretty much the entire train length; the other side is track-level. You are going to want wide lenses, especially for the interior. Exterior lighting isn't great, but it can be adequate for glamour shots of the front and rear if you push up the ISO and have steady hands - I got this with a DA 15 wide open on my K-01, 1/15 sec, ISO 3200. It was closing time and they were starting to turn off lights and chase people out, so I didn't have time to really work on the setup.

04-14-2018, 10:33 AM - 2 Likes	#5
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Contact the docent, tell them your story, agree to share your photos with them, and ask permission to bring a tripod. You might just get it. Tripods aren’t permitted due to liability, and to keep you from banging into the artifacts. When escorted by museum staff, the rules may change.

04-14-2018, 04:44 PM	#6
AggieDad Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,460 Original Poster	Originally posted by photoptimist Have you tried using Google images? A search of "Chicago Museum Pioneer Zephyr" pulls up lots of images of the display. Yeah, I sorta want to take my own photos – its my hobby. Originally posted by normhead Ontario Northland still as far as I know uses a "Budd Car" on it's route to Moosenee that goes to James Bay. If you re taking a canoe up to a northern river, it's the way to go. They'll also load you up in Moosenee (where many Northern Ontario river trips end) and take you home. You want to ride a Budd Car? Drive to Cochrane, Ontario, take the "Polar Bear Express " to Moosenee. It's interesting that the Ontario Northland still has Budd cars in service. That makes them more than 50 years old. I worked at the factory one summer while in college in 1964 mainly on subway cars for the Philadelphia Subway but also a few dome cars for (I think) Union Pacific. Originally posted by THoog It's in a rather narrow hallway, right next to the parking deck entrance. One side has a raised ramp for pretty much the entire train length; the other side is track-level. You are going to want wide lenses, especially for the interior. Exterior lighting isn't great, but it can be adequate for glamour shots of the front and rear if you push up the ISO and have steady hands - I got this with a DA 15 wide open on my K-01, 1/15 sec, ISO 3200. It was closing time and they were starting to turn off lights and chase people out, so I didn't have time to really work on the setup. Thanks for this information and the photo. This is pretty much what I suspected, and it is nice to have a clear idea of what I should be prepared for. My widest lens is a 28mm and I hope it will work for me. Originally posted by Kozlok Contact the docent, tell them your story, agree to share your photos with them, and ask permission to bring a tripod. You might just get it. Tripods aren’t permitted due to liability, and to keep you from banging into the artifacts. When escorted by museum staff, the rules may change. I have written to the museum but have had a response. I suspect my best course of action will be to make a phone call. I do plan to have a monopod with me. I think I can get away with that. My interest in the Zephyr stems from my father. Dad started with the Budd Company in Philadelphia as an electrical shop foreman in the early 1930s. When he retired he was still on the shop floor, but no longer a foreman. He was in charge of final assembly, responsible for every railcar that the company built and shipped. I have written about the my dad and the Zephyrs for my siblings and my daughter. It is too long to post here on the forum (and not really the place), but if you have any interest, here is a link to my write-up.