I want to get my wife a DSLR lens for Christmas that would be best for aerial picture taking. Airplane to ground type stuff. She has a Nikon not sure of the model. Looking for something decent without having to refinance the house.
Camera lens suggestions
- Thread starter Kitch
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1) I wouldn't want someone buying me a lens without me saying which one I wanted.
2) IMO airplane to ground gets boring very quickly
3) Get her some barf bags also, shooting the ground from an airplane is a pretty good way to get airsick unless one is absolutely cast iron
4) Even more than with terrestrial photography, magic hour sunlight is a must have. Be ready to take her up sunrise and sunset whenever conditions permit.
2) IMO airplane to ground gets boring very quickly
3) Get her some barf bags also, shooting the ground from an airplane is a pretty good way to get airsick unless one is absolutely cast iron
4) Even more than with terrestrial photography, magic hour sunlight is a must have. Be ready to take her up sunrise and sunset whenever conditions permit.
First things first, what kind of Nikon DSLR? Because of how the Nikon F-mount evolved, not every camera can use every lens. Also, full-frame vs crop sensor will change the best focal length range for a particular application.
Then, what kind of air-ground photography are we looking at? Vast landscapes, or looking at what kind of steaks people have on their grills?
Fixed focal length or zoom?
I'd probably go with a zoom for flexibility.
You don't really need an expensive f/2.8 zoom for this, so that will help with the cost aspect.
For wide stuff, I'd say go for the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120 f/4. About $1000 new but can be found used/refurbished for half that.
For more reach, go for the AF-P NIKKOR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6E ED VR. I think it's discontinued now, but can be found used for about $500.
Half Fast
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Half Fast
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It might help to narrow the choices if you told us how much your house is worth.
Cap'n Jack
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What does she want to image? Landscapes or something like boats? I notice you live in SE MASS?
What sort of plane? It is relatively easy to get the windows out of the way in a Cessna, not so much for other planes.
Here's what can be seen with a 50-500 mm lens:
Thanks for the feedback. I will do some recon work and find out what model of camera she has.
It would mostly for landscape type shots.
According to the property tax assessment the house is worth more than I think it is.
It would mostly for landscape type shots.
According to the property tax assessment the house is worth more than I think it is.
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- Jack Fleetwood
I'd recommend a 70-300 for air-to-ground photos. That will give her enough zoom to get details, yet wide enough to get more of the landscape. Make sure to share some of her photos with us!