Hot Air Balloon Advice

LMNOP · Oct 26, 2015

The opportunity of a lifetime just presented itself to me. Tomorrow, my cousin is (most likely) taking out his hot air balloon over the mountains for the last patches of foliage, and he invited me to join him since "I take cool photos or whatever."

I have been freaking out, I have no idea what equipment to take with me. While I DO want to focus on the experience and try not to obsess over getting good images, I am not crazy about heights in general, so I think looking through the lens will remove me from the slight bit of fear. I just can't decide which camera(s) to take with me... I'm also concerned that we'll be a moving target, so sharp focus may be difficult, even if I COULD take a tripod, which I can't, space and weight are limited.

Options :

1. RZ67 with 65mm/90mm/150mm -

preload film backs with.... Ektar, Portra 400, 160, Velvia 50 - all fits in one backpack.

2. Fuji GW690ii - load film as I go and hope it doesn't blow away.

In addition to a MF camera, I'll have my Minolta X370 or Canon A1 with some nice color film, serves as a backup or for less stunning shots.

Any input? I haven't read up on this, I don't want to look up many examples as not to influence my compositional choices. I really have no idea what this will look like. The RZ I could operate with my eyes closed, but the downward facing angle and mirror slap could pose an issue.

Sirius Glass · Oct 26, 2015

Go to the store and buy a big package of Depends. Your enjoyment will depend on that.

LMNOP · Oct 26, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Go to the store and buy a big package of Depends. Your enjoyment will depend on that.

Hahaha, I had not considered that.... I'll limit my liquid intake tomorrow.

Kirks518 · Oct 26, 2015

I would go with the RZ, 65, and 90. Leave the 150 at home. I can't see the need for a 'long' lens for this excursion.

Even though you'll be moving, the distance between you and subject I think would be far enough to not have to worry about anything more then some minimal panning. 1/60 should be plenty fast to stop motion blur.

And I'd preload with the Velvia and Ektar. Maybe one roll of the Portra, but mostly the V and E.

BrianShaw · Oct 26, 2015

Suggest the 35mm and spend most of your time enjoying the experience. I've never hot air ballooned but spent way too much time trying to shoot from helicopters. Notice that I said "trying". That is a tough environment to be photographing

LMNOP · Oct 26, 2015

Kirks518 said:
I would go with the RZ, 65, and 90. Leave the 150 at home. I can't see the need for a 'long' lens for this excursion.

Even though you'll be moving, the distance between you and subject I think would be far enough to not have to worry about anything more then some minimal panning. 1/60 should be plenty fast to stop motion blur.

And I'd preload with the Velvia and Ektar. Maybe one roll of the Portra, but mostly the V and E.

This is the line of thinking I've had as far as gear goes. I may have a useable telescopic lens for the Minolta, that would have me covered.

As far as motion blur goes, that is really relieving to hear!

Peter Rockstroh01 · Oct 26, 2015

In aerial photography you always loose contrast. Whether froma balloon, a helicopter or an ultralight, your photos will always look sharper if exposed and processed for increased contrast.

winger · Oct 26, 2015

I've taken pictures from a hot air balloon before (Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, 2000). I got a few decent shots, but got better ones as they inflated the envelope. I don't love heights and actually greatly dislike flying, but I felt secure. I had two 35mm cameras with me, both Pentax, one with a longer zoom and one with a shorter one (therefore not having to change lenses while in the air). IIRC, one had slide and one had print. We went up early in the day, but there wasn't much scenic in our way. The shots I have are clear, though, I'm fairly sure. I have no recall of the exposure settings.

MattKing · Oct 26, 2015

Your 35mm for most shots, and the Fuji for a few.

Everything will be in motion, so much of the benefit from the RZ67 will be minimized.

The basket you will be riding in will be tight for space.

RobC · Oct 26, 2015

Did you tell your cousin you'll be bringing a lot of ballast? I guess you can toss it over the side if you get too low over the mountains.

Suggest you ask beforehand what sort of height you can expect above the ground over the high stuff and lower stuff. That should give you an idea of lenses which may be optimal.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 26, 2015

Does your RZ have an eye-level prism? I think the sides of the basket, or whatever they call it, would be too high for waist-level viewing.

LMNOP · Oct 26, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
Does your RZ have an eye-level prism? I think the sides of the basket, or whatever they call it, would be too high for waist-level viewing.

I've been thinking about that... I am 6'5" so I have a decent chance, but it might be awkward to look down into.

randyB · Oct 26, 2015

1/60th is way to slow a speed to use. When I did aerials from helicopters and light planes I shot at 1/250th minimum. While you won't have the mechanical vibrations that I had, you will have movement. You focus will almost always be at infinity, consider tapeing your focus ring so it won't creep on you. I used 2 35mm cameras, 1 with a slight wide angle (35mm), the other with a slight tele (100mm) both loaded with 400 speed cp film. You can shoot at a fairly wide open f/stop since your focus is at infinity (no need for DOF). If it is sunny you should be able to use Ektar 100 for more snappy color BUT keep that shutter speed as high as possible.

summicron1 · Oct 27, 2015

I am terrified of heights but a hot air balloon doesn't bother me a bit -- you are in a nice firm basket, you can't fall.

Enjoy. Wide angle lenses will be your friend. Take a fisheye if you have one.

piu58 · Oct 27, 2015

I had a similar once in a lifetime experience: I went with a Zeppelin (there exist 2 of them in Friedrichshafen). It is very similar to ballooning: You can open the window and take shots nearly or really from outside.

I exposed some rolls of film with my Rolleiflex. After all, the images were rather disappointing. All of us have seen many aerial photographs. You must be very lucky th shot one or some of them which are much better or even equivalent.

As Bethe said: Take photographs from the preparation and the inflation. Enjoy the flight. Take a camera with you which is easy to use and spent most of the time viewing. Avoid changing lenses or accessories.

bdial · Oct 27, 2015

You will be moving at the speed of the wind, and with no vibrations as RandyB notes. If you want sharp, you may be able to go as low as 125th but I agree that slower than that will be a problem unless you want to try some intentional blurring.

For equipment, I'd keep it simple and enjoy the view.
IMO, the RB will be difficult to handle, there isn't much space to move around in, I'd stick with the Fuji and a 35. If you have a short zoom for one of the 35's that would probably be ideal.
Keep in mind that some of the more interesting pictures may be on the ground while they are prepping the balloon.

I am envious, I've flown once in a ballon, over the California desert, it's a grand experience. You will need to dress warmly, but your cousin probably has told you that already.

removed account4 · Oct 27, 2015

biggest negative you can do,
put it on infinity and use the highest shutter speed you can use

sounds like fun !

we might have to start calling you NADAR

http://cache3.asset-cache.net/gc/33...6/BKA6iut4nIY3eoHziCmIzGdz2C+5PyNdx1nfswWVG3v

LMNOP · Oct 27, 2015

This is all GREAT ADVICE, Thank you all! I think I have a plan, but when I get there I will photograph the inflation process, spec out the basket size, and see how much gear I can leave behind.

My Minolta has a 28mm 2.8 that is just lovely, I am going to wear that around my neck. I am leaning towards the GW690 for the wider framing, lets hope the perspective is right for the job. I will share photos!

LMNOP · Oct 27, 2015

What do you guys think about Portra 160 for landscapes like this? I have ONE roll of Ektar right now, and a whole BOX arriving tomorrow from BH, so at the moment my film stock is Portra 160 and 400, and a velvia 50.

Stephen Prunier · Oct 27, 2015

Have an AWESOME time. I'll be cleaning gutters

M Carter · Oct 27, 2015

LMNOP said:
...I am not crazy about heights in general, so I think looking through the lens will remove me from the slight bit of fear.

Same here. I shot a wheelchair racer from a big turbo helicopter - they took off the side door and duct taped the buckle of my seat belt, slapped me on the back and took off.

The pilot really liked showing off at the end of each run by banking the copter over… so I was looking straight down at the rocky surf, kind of hanging from the seat belt. I generally kept my eye glued to the viewfinder (video camera) and tried to convince myself I was just watching a movie about flying. It was pretty freaky, so… if nothing else, BRING A DAMN PRISM for the MF gear!!!

I did find when it was time for a take, focusing on doing a good job, exposure, framing, focus - made me forget where I was.

LMNOP · Oct 27, 2015

MattKing said:
Your 35mm for most shots, and the Fuji for a few.

Everything will be in motion, so much of the benefit from the RZ67 will be minimized.

The basket you will be riding in will be tight for space.

This I think is the best way of thinking. I am taking the Fuji and 35 - I may do some inflation shots with the RZ on the ground/

RobC · Oct 27, 2015

haven't you taken off yet?

LMNOP · Oct 27, 2015

RobC said:
haven't you taken off yet?

Finishing up some work, about to head out. The idea is to be in the air for the sunset.

RobC · Oct 27, 2015

should be fun landing a hot air ballon in the dark.
I think you'll need as wide an aperture as you can possibly lay your hands on if light is low. But the straking light of low sun can create a lot of really nice tree shadows if you're lucky.

Hot Air Balloon Advice

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency