FS7: Filming aircraft, at night, from 1.5 miles.

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filmfan222

Well-known member
Hey folks,
I'm heading out tonight to film the Solar Impulse Aircraft fly over the Statue of Liberty. This is a non-paid project, just really love aviation.

I'm posting some of my initial thoughts here about how to capture this moment, and was looking for general feedback.


Filming locations:
I have two locations scouted that give an uninterrupted view of the Statue of Liberty. The aircraft will be circling at about 1000 FT. One is in Redhook, Brooklyn, which is about 1.5 miles away. The other is on the Hudson Riverwalk in NJ, about .5 mile away. I'm unsure whether the 2nd location is open at night, and lady liberty will have her back turned to the camera :)

Camera:
Sony FS7 with Metabones adaptor and Canon 70-200mm set to Center Crop mode.

I figured with the 1.5x Crop on the APS-C sensor and 2X I get from 2k Center Crop, I could get a 35mm equivalent focal length of about 600mm. I'd love to shoot longer than that, but don't wanna spend time or money tracking down a longer lens.

My main concern is lighting. Obviously dead of night, there is some crescent moon, and the city. The lens is F4, and I'm going to try to shoot between 3200 - 8000 ISO on the FS7. I've read a few places that I should shoot regular Rec709 or non log gamma because I'd get more information per stop given the darkness. Any clarification here would be greatly appreciated.

Either way, look forward to hearing your thoughts. Let me know if you'd like to join in the Brooklyn or NY area!

Chaz out
 
Ive spent alot time shooting wildlife with a 300mm Canon prime 2.8 with 2x extender- it's great until the subject moves. Focusing at 600 in low light while moving is challenging. That solar plane is SLOW (30mph) so you might be ok.
But at night, the image will be of its nav lights not really the airframe. Even with a very high ISO - you need some reflected light. I think you're in for a tough shoot. Interested to hear how it came out.

Caleb
 
I'd think crop mode at high ISO would be mush of the worst kind. Based on experience with my F55 I had, Red One 2K mode, etc.

I'd try to track down a longer lens and a heavy, heavy head. I'd try to get a 2575, but I don't know what the expectations are.
 
Last edited:
filmfan222 said:
Hey folks,


Camera:
Sony FS7 with Metabones adaptor and Canon 70-200mm set to Center Crop mode.

I figured with the 1.5x Crop on the APS-C sensor and 2X I get from 2k Center Crop, I could get a 35mm equivalent focal length of about 600mm. I'd love to shoot longer than that, but don't wanna spend time or money tracking down a longer lens.
Click to expand...

Canon full frame lens to Super 35 sensor is a factor x1.39. The FS7 is not APS-C.
 
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