Photographing from a balloon Updated!

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Duncan.F

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Duncan
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Hi,
My good lady has bought me a balloon flight and obviously want to use it as a photo op. Are there any rules/guidlines I should be aware of?

I was going to take a 24-70 and 70-200..... Good choices?

Dunc
 
Yes if you have two bodies! It can be cold up there - you don't want to mess around changing lenses.
 
Duncan.F said:
Hi,
My good lady has bought me a balloon flight and obviously want to use it as a photo op. Are there any rules/guidlines I should be aware of?

I was going to take a 24-70 and 70-200..... Good choices?

Dunc
Click to expand...

Duncan,

I used to crew for a balloon operator - assisting getting off the ground and following for recovery.

The pilot's rules on cameras were: bring them, you will get some fantastic shots but ensure that they are anchored around your neck and kept within the confines of the basket. They should also be stowed away (bag) for landing.

I'm sure all operators have there own rules and would suggest asking your operator.

As regard lens either will do a good job - depends what you want to capture. For example, I've been up and saw a fox creeping down a hedgerow 24-70 would have been no good for that one but would be great to get the overall feeling of distance from the ground. Some great shots to be had before take off, as the balloon is inflated - 24-70 great for that. You could take both but my personal preference would be not to change lens in the basket.

Hope this helps. Enjoy. It's a great experience.

Ken
 
Duncan.F said:
Hi,
My good lady has bought me a balloon flight and obviously want to use it as a photo op. Are there any rules/guidlines I should be aware of?

I was going to take a 24-70 and 70-200..... Good choices?

Dunc
Click to expand...

What a lovely present that is.
 
at that height i would reckon a long lens...200 i guess is ok
is it in bristol?
 
No Norwich. I often see them coming over when I am dog walking. I would live to fly over Norwich but whatever I am sure it will be brill. The irony is I used to be a hang glider and paraglider pilot but only ever had a point and shoot. It was often difficult to use and the quality wasn't great, so the balloon trip will be a pleasant change!

Dunc
 
It's an amazing experience. I bought a ticket for my wife and I a coue of years back for her birthday (2 years ago today actually). Sunrise flight from Hungerford in Berkshire, it was one of the most magical things I've ever done. I won't comment on the camera front, but if you're tall, do take a hat. I found the heat of the burner a little uncomfortable on my scalp, but I am fairly tall.

Have a riot, looking forward to seeing the images you capture.
 
A friend of mine who recently went ballooning in Perth was told that he could bring nothing bigger than a point and shoot when they were going up for safety reasons. Same with microlights which was a shame. That was with Virgin. Might vary from company to company.
 
KayJay said:
A friend of mine who recently went ballooning in Perth was told that he could bring nothing bigger than a point and shoot when they were going up for safety reasons. Same with microlights which was a shame. That was with Virgin. Might vary from company to company.
Click to expand...

We have a voucher for a Virgin balloon flight and I was wondering whether I'd be able to take my camera. Looks like my 40d will be a :shake: then. Obviously I'll check with the local flight provider but I would imagine Virgins rules will be the same all over.
 
SmileyShazza said:
We have a voucher for a Virgin balloon flight and I was wondering whether I'd be able to take my camera. Looks like my 40d will be a :shake: then. Obviously I'll check with the local flight provider but I would imagine Virgins rules will be the same all over.
Click to expand...

always worth phoning up and asking in case its just one pilot being funny
 
Duncan - It may be worth you contacting Duncan (Wedding Hack). He took some truly awesome shots from a balloon over Norwich a year or two ago.

I will see if I can find the original thread ...
 
Hi Tim,
Wow, fantastic shots! Wonder what lenses he used....? Booking in for my flight tommorrow, then its just a wait for the right weather slot!

Dunc
 
Be prepared for several cancellations due to the weather. We booked one for my father in law and it took him 4 attempts to get him in the air.
Think he finally got up over a year after we gave him the voucher, so just check the small print and see how long you have got before it expires.
 
SmileyShazza said:
We have a voucher for a Virgin balloon flight and I was wondering whether I'd be able to take my camera. Looks like my 40d will be a :shake: then. Obviously I'll check with the local flight provider but I would imagine Virgins rules will be the same all over.
Click to expand...

I flew with Virgin last year, had no problems with taking my 40d that I had at the time.

It was a great experience, especially the landing as we had to land within the grounds of a police training college. Luckily the friend I went with used to work there and sorted everything out with the Head of Security, would have been fun otherwise
 
Hi,
I have spoken to the operators this morning and photography is OK, preferably 'tethered' and must be bagged and stashed for landing. Will post pics!

Dunc
 
Hope you have a good flight.

Don't forget to get some shots whilst they're inflating the balloon, preferably the inside. Great if a multi coloured balloon.

Ken
 
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