Taking photos NOT through the canopy

[Zilla]

He's not the PIC, he's an aerial photog in the back seat. I've seen the guys at Edwards do similar things (spread a black sheet over everything) in the rear cockpit of a T-38 or F-16 to minimize reflections...

[BuckWynd]

Originally Posted by Zilla

He's not the PIC, he's an aerial photog in the back seat. I've seen the guys at Edwards do similar things (spread a black sheet over everything) in the rear cockpit of a T-38 or F-16 to minimize reflections...

Which brings up the next very important point: Never take air-to-air photos while you're flying an airplane. The PIC and the photographer must be two different people.

That's Rule #1 of air-to-air photography.

The Air Force lost two pilots and two airplanes many years ago when a guy tried to film his own formation rejoin. He proved that looking through a viewfinder can ruin your depth perception. D'oh.

[flyer46]

Originally Posted by Dave Cole

Maybe you could use a sliding plexiglas side window like sailplanes have. They are available for purchase complete with tracks and mounting screws from Wings and Wheels. You can find them on their web site in the Index under Canopies and Windows.

Yep. One of my thoughts. But cutting the canopy just gives me the willies. But Bonanzas very often have such windows, and they are about the same speed. I just do not know the stresses in the canopy.
John Severyn

[flyer46]

Originally Posted by Webb

I don't see why you couldn't mark it off, cut it out carefully (very). Polish the edges. Install a hinge and use some plexi scraps to make a lip with a thin weatherstrip under the lip. A little latch or two and away you go.

Of course, it's like the first man to eat an oyster......brave soul in this case to cut your canopy.

Zactly!!!!!!!!

[flyer46]

Originally Posted by BikePilot

I've seen an RV before that was modified to be open cockpit (based in HI IIRC); looked really fun! Of course that might be a bit extreme, but some clever system that would allow you to easily install and remove the canopy might be really interesting.

For shooting behind glass, I've found that a DSLR setup with a fairly narrow DOF (just keep the aperture fairly wide) works surprisingly well.

Here, found a picture of it!


And another open 3B canopy. Seems like something similar could work on other models, but I'm just a wanna-be builder at this point
http://picasaweb.google.com/airspeed...53729373495026

Now that idea has possibilities. Just remove the canopy.....!!

[flyer46]

Originally Posted by mikehoover

I believe this is the excerpt from the article:

The way to eliminate the internal reflections is to tape brown wrapping paper to the inside of the canopy leaving a hole in each side to shoot from. I knew not to rest my camera against any part of the aircraft if I wanted sharp photos...

Was he flying on instruments only? Or VFR thru peep holes?

This is exactly what I want to avoid. The reflections are one thing, but the optical quality of any canopy I've ever seen are just not good. Why spend a bunch on a good lens if the photo is equivalent to shooting through a very poor lens?

I think a dedicated camera port, as suggeseted by others here is probably the best idea. But then the aircraft has to be positioned very carefully. Of course if the port is near my knee, I might still be able to control the camera without getting an image of the wing or prop. Still, kinda limiting....but better than nothing.

[BikePilot]

Originally Posted by flyer46

Now that idea has possibilities. Just remove the canopy.....!!

Yep, looks mighty fun too! Just make sure you've got a good grip on the camera before you do any negative g

[kentb]

Anyone know the airport in the picture above?

Kent

[flyer46]

Hi Kent,
Well I'm guessing PHDH... Dillingham
http://www.airnav.com/airport/PHDH

It looks correct when I rotate Google Earth to a viewing location

Who knows for sure?

John Severyn

[Webb]

In the first post you said you have a slider. Seems like I read that you can fly with the canopy open a few inches as long as you keep the speed down.

Put a slide lock on it and go fly at 100 knots and shoot through the gap. Call Van's to see how big the gap can be.

Or is this one of those, catch the picture at a moments notice?