Pictures through windows?

[Jakemaster]

Hello everybody!

I was wondering if there were any general pointers for taking pictures through windows especially aircraft windows.  When we were taxiing after landing in Houston on Monday I saw a Continental 777, BA 777, and PrivatAir 737 on the ramp and really wanted to get pictures but all came out TERRIBLE to the point where you could barely make out what airline they were.  I was using a little powershot and it was focusing on the scratches on the window rather than the plane.  But even if I had my dad's SLR I don't know that it would have been any better without the proper settings.  So any pointers?

[flyboy 28]

It really just depends on the window. I've been blessed with some great views, but some terrible ones. The 738 I took to San Diego only got it's airworthiness three months earlier, so it was nice and clear.

[Jakemaster]

It really just depends on the window. I've been blessed with some great views, but some terrible ones. The 738 I took to San Diego only got it's airworthiness three months earlier, so it was nice and clear.

Ya, the ERJ I was on was probably the worst I've seen.  The windows were dirty, scratched, and had a little water residue from the ice at altitude.  Even so, I've seen some pictures on A-net from windows that were crystal clear, and I just can't help but think that they had to do something to make them so clear.  After all you cant open the window and wipe it off at FL350

[Willit Run]

LUCK!!

[Jakemaster]

LUCK!!

LOL!  I guess I should carry a horseshoe...hmm, can those get past airport security?

[Rifleman]

If you have an option, use manual focus.........

[Souichiro]

Polarisation filter?

[Anark]

I try to get the lens as close to the window as I can.

[BAW0343]

Couple things I've learned with the point and shoot cameras (as I mainly use one) is to set it to focus on distant objects (landscape setting) and a polarization filter may also help is some circumstances. If its the scratches that cause it then I doubt the filter will do anything. Good luck and hope you get some better images.

[beaky]

What they said.  ;D

And oh yeah- as a general rule-: if the sun is in front of you, even at an extreme angle, it's more likely that the scratches and haze will be highlighted. not much you can do about that, except try some angles.

My Kodak DX7590 does not have manual focus per se, but it has the "near" and "far" option... if I set it on "far" it won't try to focus on something as close as scratches on a window. It helps.
Maybe your Powershot has the same feature?

[Jakemaster]

What they said.  ;D

And oh yeah- as a general rule-: if the sun is in front of you, even at an extreme angle, it's more likely that the scratches and haze will be highlighted. not much you can do about that, except try some angles.

My Kodak DX7590 does not have manual focus per se, but it has the "near" and "far" option... if I set it on "far" it won't try to focus on something as close as scratches on a window. It helps.
Maybe your Powershot has the same feature?

It might...I haven't had it for long, just got it as a hand me down a few weeks ago.  On the SLR I can switch the zoom lens (and I think the wide angle lens) from autofocus to manual.  

[Ravang]

Tip 1: Point at the window*.






*If window is too foggy, or scratchy find a woman with a large purse (these all alway get past airport security)