Airplanenut From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 642 posts, RR: 1 Posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 1468 times:
I'm probably going to be in a private plane on the weekend and wanted to know what settings are recommended for cockpit shots so both the panel and outside are exposed properly.
JeffM From United States of America, joined May 2005, 3266 posts, RR: 56 Reply 1, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 1454 times:
Most likely that won't happen as there is not likely a setting that will work for both. The outside is almost always brighter then the inside. You will have to take a reading of the outside, then match that inside using a flash to balance the ambient light.
Using a flash is the most important setting you'll need when taking cockpit shots in the open. I've been experiencing with tons of different settings trying to get around the flash as it does have some disadvantages (like black screens) but none worked; either the inside or the outside (or both ) were badly illuminated. So unless you have some external light sources available you'll need a flash.
Just be careful with reflecting objects or other things that might block part of the flashlight; those can really ruin a shot. Also keep in mind that you can still play with shutter and aperture settings when using a flash!
Happy shooting!
LIPH From Italy, joined May 2004, 848 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 1410 times:
...Yes, the flash is a must if you want both the inside and the outside to be bright. The point is also that they must be both focused properly. For this reason I suggest not to be so close to the cockpit itself (otherwise the inside panel will be out of focus) and for this reason to use a tight aperture. Best luck.
Airplanenut From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 642 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 1366 times:
Thanks for the tips! A few questions/confirmations:
-Use a flash, and aim it to hit the panel, but not the glass. Hopefully it won't reflect off the panel. Better yet, shoot when the sun is behind the plane, illuminating the panel.
-Light metering is from the outside (should I use spot, center-weighted, or full picture weighted?)
I used aperture priority f11 at 1/60th sec center weighted average and fill flash on this one. Focal length was 18 mm so it is wide angle and allows a good depth of field. Sky is bad as I am shooting into the sun but no choice as that is the runway we had to land on. On ground shots where there is more time and room to move I tend to attach the SB800 with Diffusion dome attached and or use bounce if suitable. Try a few shots and you will soon find what works best for you.
Airplanenut From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 642 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 1319 times:
Thanks for the suggestions, Colin! I don't have a fancy flash (just the built-in), but I'll see what I can do with what I have. I'll be using an 18-55mm, and will try to shoot around f11.
LIPH From Italy, joined May 2004, 848 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 1314 times:
Quoting Airplanenut (Reply 6): Thanks for the suggestions, Colin! I don't have a fancy flash (just the built-in)
There's no need for one, but do not point the cockpit, rather outside (and then go back to take the right composition, aiming also the cockpit if you want, with the setting blocked) : the glass will not reflect the flash because it's declined.
Kereru From New Zealand, joined Jun 2003, 873 posts, RR: 52 Reply 8, posted (5 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 1298 times:
Quoting Airplanenut (Reply 6): Thanks for the suggestions, Colin! I don't have a fancy flash (just the built-in), but I'll see what I can do with what I have. I'll be using an 18-55mm, and will try to shoot around f11.
Thats why I used this example as it is using the built in pop up flash in fill mode to reduce the dark shadow. Try some you will be surprised.
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From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 642 posts, 
From Luxembourg, joined Dec 2005, 1986 posts, 
) were badly illuminated. So unless you have some external light sources available you'll need a flash. 
From Italy, joined May 2004, 848 posts, 
From New Zealand, joined Jun 2003, 873 posts, 
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