Jspitfire From Canada, joined Feb 2005, 308 posts, RR: 2 Posted (4 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 7341 times:
I recently took a flight in the jumpseat on a Dash-7 and tried a bunch of pictures of the cockpit at night. This was probably the best one I got.
I would like to know from those that have these types of pictures in the database, how you take these shots. I was using at Canon Rebel XTi with a 10-20mm lens, ISO 1600, f/4, and anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 seconds. (this one was 2.5 sec.) I had the camera resting in my lap for this one, but others I tried bracing it against the wall or my chest, and those still came out slightly blurry.
So, how do other people stabilize the camera? Is a tripod used? How else can you do it, as the Dash-7 cockpit is rather cramped for a tripod? Would a dull flash or turning up the cockpit lights help but still preserve the glow of the instruments? Or is it simply a matter of taking tons of pictures and hoping one of them turns out?
Any other advice people have would be great, and hopefully I can try out a bunch more shots on another trip sometime soon.
Lexy From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 2362 posts, RR: 9 Reply 1, posted (4 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 7296 times:
Tripods are the best course of action in this case. I have shot these type of shots in simulators while they are flying around and tripods are a must for the shots. Taking tons of shots is okay, one will surely come out in focus atleast eh?! Seriously though, get a tripod and try it that way. Nice shot though!!!
WILCO737 From Greenland, joined Jun 2004, 8473 posts, RR: 78 Reply 5, posted (4 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 7242 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD MODERATOR
Quoting Vishaljo (Reply 4): Quoting WILCO737 (Reply 3):
I use one of these gorilla (or what their name was)
JOBY Gorillapod
Yes, that's the one. Works pretty good if it is not too bumpy, otherwise it is still shaking a bit. But amazing on what places you can attach that in the cockpit (preferable on the gear or flap lever )
WILCO737 From Greenland, joined Jun 2004, 8473 posts, RR: 78 Reply 7, posted (4 years 5 months 1 week 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 7228 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD MODERATOR
Quoting Vishaljo (Reply 6): Is it usable for general photography or only for special purposes ?
It's basically a normal tripod but you have the chanve to put is on weird places as well to get long exposure shots in places where you cannot put a normal tripod.
It is light and you can easily put it into you bag.
AndrewUber From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2528 posts, RR: 44 Reply 8, posted (4 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 7149 times:
I have the Canon 20D, and I find it too grainy at very high ISO, so I elect to go with longer exposures. For this type of shot, I would just push the camera up against the cockpit door (balanced on the viewbox), lean over and just bear down as hard as I can while the shutter is open. Turn in-camera sharpening and noise reduction OFF so you can fire repeatedly, and just click-click-click. Out of the dozens of shots you'll have several good ones.
This is an example of this technique. Shot with the Canon Digital Rebel, this is 5 seconds at ISO 200. The light trails indicate the beginning of our flare. Kindof a cool effect IMHO.
In the digital world, you can't make many mistakes. You're not wasting film, so just get as many exposures as you can. Try different things and see what works best for you (and for the type you're flying).
Dehowie From Australia, joined Feb 2004, 1044 posts, RR: 38 Reply 9, posted (4 years 5 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 7040 times:
Magic arm is the best way to go. There is no space on a flightdeck for a tripod and nothing will hold it steady in turbulence.
Numerous mounting methods enable the magic arm to be the number one choice.
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