Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/07/25

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Subject: [Leica] Re: aerial photography
From: lowiemanuel at yahoo.ca (Emanuel Lowi)
Date: Sun Jul 25 20:19:36 2004

You may be able to manage with your 35mm lens, but
I've found that the plain vanilla 50mm focal length is
often just right for aerials. Try to borrow one for
your M6 if you can. The less gear the better -- avoid
having to fumble around with lenses and extra cameras.
Keep it very simple your first time out.

Use whatever film you're most comfortable with in the
100 ASA range. A shutter speed of 1/500 should keep
you out of trouble re: motion.

Three key points, though. First, you want to do this
with a pilot who's flown this kind of job before. Ask
and be sure. Talk about the job with him/her
thoroughly, in advance, on the ground. It can be
awfully  frustrating to have to do multiple passes
(time = $) to get the views you really need. 

A helicopter can be an even nicer shooting platform
than a fixed wing aircraft, provided the pilot is
really on the ball. 

Second, it's much better if you don't have to shoot
through glass or plexi windows. See if a door or
window can be removed -- but KEEP THAT SEATBELT ON AT
ALL TIMES!

Third, pick a day and time that is as haze-free as
possible. This is also one of those times when a UV or
skylight filter wil help.

This can be really fun stuff and you may end up
delighted with the shots you get on your first try.
Then you're hooked for life.

Emanuel Lowi
Montreal

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