Posted by Tony Brent on September 26, 2000 at 12:13:18:
In Reply to: aerial photography posted by Sue on September 26, 2000 at 03:49:45:
: I just received my private pilot checkride and want to
: purchase a camera for aerial photography for personal
: use. Any suggestions? I'm only a typical take
: pictures of the kids and their sports sort of
: photographer right now.
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To start with, your point-and-shoot that you use
for photos of the kids should work. One thing
you might check is whether you can mount filters
over the lens. For color film, you will want a
UV filter, and for black and white, a yellow
filter will give better results.
If your present camera won't handle that, you
might consider a used 35mm all-manual camera like
a Pentax, Nikon F2, Canon FTb, etc. You will
likely take one light reading (with the camera's)
internal meter, and then not change the setting.
You will want to keep it focussed at infinity.
The automatic cameras will try to change things
on you.
There isn't a lot of room in a Cessna 150 for a
big Speed Graphic, although they do make good
aerial cameras. Smaller 35mm or medium format
120 cameras are probably a better choice.
Dont't try to fly the plane and take pictures at
the same time. You need another pilot if you are
going to be operating the camera.
Keep the camera away from the structure of
the aircraft. Don't use any kind of brace or
fixture that mounts to the airframe. It will
transmit engine vibration and result in blurry
photos.
Do not take pictures of my house unless you give
me one!
Have fun.