[With samples] What's the best lens aperture for shooting out of a plane window?

5 years 9 months ago #590639 by FlynShoot
Hi all,

I am considering to upgrade to SLR with shooting out of a plane window as the main reason. So I would like to have recommendations on the best lenses for such purposes.

I found a great deal for a D7200 with AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm F3.5-5.6G ED VR. Do you think it's appropriate? (you have then an idea about my budget)

Thank you !

My goal is to have way better shots for scenes like this:




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5 years 9 months ago #591790 by Ivy Winchell
D7200 is a great camera.  And the lens you have listed is a great walk around lens.  


Photo Comments
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5 years 9 months ago #591793 by Screamin Scott
Since in air images will always be focused at infinity, F8-F11 would be the better apertures to use as long as your shutter speed is up there (lots of vibrations if you brace on the planes window) As for lenses, most any will suffice...

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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5 years 9 months ago #591828 by Troponin
Longer focal lengths also allow you to shoot through small things, like mesh, fences, and avoiding seeing dirt on a plane window. ;) Shorter focal lengths tend to show that stuff, so your 100mm+ should be good. Much shorter and it could start showing specs of dirt etc. With that, as mentioned, longer focal lengths will also require a higher shutter speed. I am thinking at 100mm, 1/320 WITH an internal stabilizer could be enough, but it would certainly be wise to be above that if you want no chance of shake.


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5 years 9 months ago #591876 by Screamin Scott
I took this shot over the Gulf of Mexico back in the late 70's. I scanned it in 2007. If I remember correctly I used a 50mm F1.7 lens on a Minolta SRT 101. Other than that, I don't remember the other parameters. 

Clouds from above by Scott , on Flickr

Scott Ditzel Photography

www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/

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5 years 9 months ago #592151 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day mate

You don't tell us what you're using now - so it's not easy to be sure thatthe dSLR you suggest is really going to be much better than your present camera

For myself - I have just gone thru images from a plane journey back in March - nearly all pics were shot from 28mm to 130mm ... but I am using a Panny with 24x zoom, so I have heaps of 'spare' lens power at my fingertips

For my aircraft shooting, I have the notion that as most everything is at infinity, the aperture is less important than shutter - and to avoid vibration, I always shoot in "S" mode at 1/500s or better if I can, knowing that in daylight I am going to get an aperture somewhere around F8 anyway

Hope this helps

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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