Balloon Ride - What lenses

Andysnap

Andysnap

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Andy Grant
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Afternoon TP'ers,

As a birthday prezzie for the current Mrs Snap I bought her a balloon flight for 2 (intended for son and heir to go as well) but due to her generous nature she said we should all go. So this saturday, weather permitting, up we go.
Question is what lenses should I take as I dont want to be lugging the big bag with everything in. My thoughts were Siggy 70-300mm and Siggy 24-60mm. I also have a nifty, a siggy 28-70 and a Tokina 12-24mm, would the wide angle be more appropriate? Should I take Grad filters?
Thoughts please. :thumbs:

Cheers

Andy
 
The "current" Mrs Snap? Is she aware of her temporary status?

I'd always take the wide angle, but then I love wide angle shots and there are lots of possibilities when inflating and riding a balloon.

Given the variability of distance to subject I'd discount the nifty. Maybe just the 24-60 or 28-70 and the 12-24 then?

If you want to isolate things from a distance then the 70-300 is a must but that'd not be for me.

My experience of balloon flights is that the basket is pretty cramped. Changing lenses could be tricky, best to plan ahead and get your "main lens" on before you get in. Otherwise you might be hearing some grumbles from your neighbours when you elbow them in the chops whilst rummaging for a lens cap ;)
 
Andysnap said:
Afternoon TP'ers,

As a birthday prezzie for the current Mrs Snap I bought her a balloon flight for 2 (intended for son and heir to go as well)
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You haven't recently taken out new life insurance policies on them by any chance, have you? :suspect: :lol:
 
Good thinking, I didn't think about the inflation bit. Wide angle for that I think.
So 24-60 and 12-24 then.
The current Mrs Snap has been that for 15 years and so long as she behaves (or is it me that has to behave?) I see no reason why she shouldn't maintain her exulted status.
And I cannot believe you spelt lens wrongly, you'll be spelling kamra wrong next....

Cheers
Andy
 
Flash In The Pan said:
You haven't recently taken out new life insurance policies on them by any chance, have you? :suspect: :lol:
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No indeed. As you well know Flash I'm only allowed money to spend on camera kit.

Andy
 
blue max said:
Take light ones :thumbs: or you'll never get up!

Graham
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If it gets of the ground with me in it a few extra lens ounces won't matter. :)
 
I would only take 1 body and one lens and a very well padded bag! (Infact a compact would be even better)

Baskets are very cramped and there is a fair change you will have a bumpy landing, especially with the weather as it is now.
 
Craikeybaby said:
I would only take 1 body and one lens and a very well padded bag! (Infact a compact would be even better)

Baskets are very cramped and there is a fair change you will have a bumpy landing, especially with the weather as it is now.
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Good point. I'll be well padded and so will the bag.

Andy
 
Nikkon 10.5mm fish eye!

Yeah! Far out and whacky!
 
Oh good question, I've been wondering about this myself. We are going up in one when we are in Namibia in August and I have no idea what is required.

You want a reasonably wide option for the view but also a long lens for anything you want to pick out down below, I was thinking two cameras, as changing lenses might be a bit of a pain.
 
Andysnap said:
Good thinking, I didn't think about the inflation bit. Wide angle for that I think.
So 24-60 and 12-24 then.
The current Mrs Snap has been that for 15 years and so long as she behaves (or is it me that has to behave?) I see no reason why she shouldn't maintain her exulted status.
And I cannot believe you spelt lens wrongly, you'll be spelling kamra wrong next....

Cheers
Andy
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I've never actually been up but took some great pictures of the set up and launch when a friends father took a trip. Here's the url of the only one I've uploaded . . it's not the best but it gives an idea!

There'll be lots of opportunities to max out on WA shots under the part-inflated gas-bag, even shots into it. Great fun!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/2728646877_9a8d6ae62f_b.jpg

I love the guy in the England shirt standing with his hands in his pockets just watching everyone heaving :)

Have a great trip!
 
I'd take the wide and the tele. wide for landscapes with a different angle and shooting each other in the basket. The tele for shooting anything specific on the ground....
 
david1701 said:
I'd take the wide and the tele. wide for landscapes with a different angle and shooting each other in the basket. The tele for shooting anything specific on the ground....
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The widest we have is 17 on the EF-S 17-55 f2.8, do you think we need wider?

The longest is the 100-400 so I was thinking one body with that and one with the 17-55.

Sorry to hijack but I was thinking about starting a thread like this before we go to see what people thought. This isn't a trip we are likely to repeat in a hurry so want to get it right.
 
No problem Trap, its all good info.

Andy
 
My partner and I should be going up tonight in a balloon (its already been cancelled 3 times because of the weather so not actually holding my breath) and only have a kit lens unfortunately but if i had your kit i would take the widest lens fitted to the camera for landscapes and shots inside the basket, then maybe change it to the 300mm for shots of interesting things half way through the flight. As nice at they are, one set of fields or a forest looks much the same as any other, where as you could get nice shots of landmarks, churches, manor houses with the 70-300.
 
I went up the other week and just used my 17-55, which was more than adequate! if i went again i will probably take a telephoto aswell! But i didnt want to be spending ages changing lenses and missing out on seeing the scenary and enjoying the ride!
 
matt_wright said:
I went up the other week and just used my 17-55, which was more than adequate! if i went again i will probably take a telephoto aswell! But i didnt want to be spending ages changing lenses and missing out on seeing the scenary and enjoying the ride!
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That's very encouraging, got any pics?

We will have two bodies so can do both without changing lenses and a compact PnS for a bit of video.

you never know, we might see some Desert Elephants!
 
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