Aerial balloon-chasing

[flyboy 28]

As I was getting about ready to leave Sky Manor yesterday, I was shooting the Rans Courier who was just milling about on a fine Sunday evening. As I was putting my camera gear back in my bag, he taxied over and asked if I wanted to hop in back and take some air-to-air shots of the balloons. Without hesitating, I said sure. However, I thought we were going to be keeping our distance from the balloons. Boy was I wrong, and boy did I pay for it by only taking up my 100-400mm.

In the end though, it was a terrific experience. I had never done air-to-air before and I quite liked it. Though the only difficult part aside from bringing too long a lens was the terrific wind blowing on the lens from the open door, making it very difficult to get off a good shot. I think I did okay though.

My ride.


Three video cameras in this balloon!


Smile!



And this one is definitely my favorite.


If you want the higher quality ones for whatever reason, just give a holler.

-James

[Roughrider]

Beautiful Shots James, Air To Air, something I have never done.

[Hagar]

These are excellent James. Well done indeed. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Rifleman]

You know, you could've declined the invitation and let them know that you have a friend who might like to get that chance......and I have a camera too !...........

Lucky stiff ! ! !  8-)


Nice shots, even though I understand your long lens pain in this situation.......

[beaky]

That's going to be hard to top... maybe a shot of a passing airplane from a balloon...  ;D

[Brando14100]

Wow. Last one's great. Actually, all of them are.  :D

8-)

[Willit Run]

Awesome shots, James!!  8-)

I rather it have been me posting shots like that!!

Great work!!

Cory

[Mictheslik]

Lucky sod  ;D

So, how are you enjoying the new lens? (apart from being too long........I have to admit, I missed the extra 25 mm down to 75 at shoreham the other day.... )

.mic

[Omag 2.0]

Wonderful! You sure had a nice ride!

These shots are about the best I've seen about balloons in a long time.

That guy in the second shot sitting on the edge of the basket... glad it isn't me...  :o  ;D

[flyboy 28]

Thanks guys. Mic, I have to be honest, it's not as great as I thought it would be. It's my first L lens as well as my first IS lens and I was expecting more out of it. Oh well, there go my high hopes messing up photography for me once more.

[Mictheslik]

Thanks guys. Mic, I have to be honest, it's not as great as I thought it would be. It's my first L lens as well as my first IS lens and I was expecting more out of it. Oh well, there go my high hopes messing up photography for me once more.

You'll get used to it.....

I find my copy is sharpest between f8 and f11. It still needs quite a bit of light even with the IS (though that's very handy for panning)

.mic

[Omag 2.0]

I've heared that one really needs to learn all over again when switching to L-lenses... But I'm sure you'll get there...

Remeber, using pro-lenses don't mean you don't have to follow the general photographic rules... These precision instruments probably demand even more attention, as mistakes probably are more visible...