Helicopter Lava Flow Shoot tomorrow!- Advice?

[Shawn Richman]

Hey guys,

I have a possible shoot tomorrow sunset where I would be shooting a Lava Eruption from a Helicoptor with a Red Dragon. I have a 20 min window to capture the scene and I would love any and all advice or wisdom.

My lens options are Canon 16-35 or 24-105. I will most likely figure out how to rig a Ronin in the Heli Door. Since on Ronin will have to stick to one lens as a change will take too long.

Most likely will stick to 6k at 80fps and then crop in to 4k for some slower motion.

It will be sunset so trying to think about shutter speed, aperture and iso. As will have to have some Black shade profiles in place.


Any tips, tricks or thoughts?

Thanks so much!
Shawn

 

[Michael Dalton]

Hi Shawn, hope this reaches you in time.

I take it's hawaii? I'd recommend going on the doors off option (if it's Paradise helicopter) You'll want to shoot a higher frame rate, around 60fps to smooth it out. Air can be choppy. You'll have one lens option as they don't allow gear. I'd suggest something like a 24-70 or 16-35. Anything else will get too unstable.

Say hi to Anna.

Hope this helps.

 

[Alberto Guglielmi]

I would probably go for 60fps, as you get better compression than 80fps. It should be enough to smooth the heli ride. And it puts you in a 120th/125th of a sec aperture at 180 degrees. Sunset in Hawaii you should be able to go for ISO 320 at f 5/6 or f 8.0. Focus should not be an issue, unless you fly very low. You probably have enough at f8 or even f5.6 to be in focus all the time.
In any case you have some room for movement there. You can bring it up to ISO800 and shoot when it gets darker. I would expose the lava to the right as much as possible, retaining highlights on it. The lava rock is very black, and you don't want to underexpose it too much.
I am not a big fan of the 16-35 from helicopter. Check what is the minimal flying altitude and choose accordingly. I once was on a Heli that could not go below 300ft, and I was happy I had a longer lens to shoot with.

 

[Flo Eckhardt]

don´t use IS on the 24-105 ! It´s the biggest myth for doors off.

 

[Daniel Kelly Brown]

Personally I would go with the 24-105

 

[Keith Nealy]

Hi Shawn,

I live on the Big Island and shoot the volcano all the time. Who are you flying with? if you are flying with Paradise and have a choice use the Bell 407 as it is much more stable, has more room than the Hughes 500 and you can keep the camera out of the airflow easier - very important. it's also faster and can get you to Pu'u O'o much faster to allow for more time shooting. You're in luck as the flow just broke out into two new places and flowing nicer than it has been in a long time. Hope it's still flowing by the time you get out there. It changes rapidly all the time.
If you are on a private charter the pilots will really help you get your shots. If your on a normal charter they have their hands tied. If Cal is your pilot you're in luck. He's the owner and will really try and help you. Tell him I said "Hi" and that your part of my RED ohana. Good luck and let me know if you need any other info. 808 987-8093 Keith Nealy Productions - keithn@aloha.net

 

[Joey Balmforth]

Remember to turn on pre record! That would suck to miss it.

 

[Shawn Richman]

Wow! thanks everyone for the great and super quick advice!

Unfortunately the Helicopter that we were going to use fell through. It was getting really difficult to find a heli that could legally fly across the channel between the islands. Going to have to be on watch for another good break out with the flow and will have to commercially fly over to the Big island and then start the heli flight from there.

Thanks again for all the great advice. Cant wait to put it in use sometime soon.

At least this gives me more time to really think out the ronin/ red rigging options. Was thinking of getting some slings and mounting those to above the door and then hanging the ronin from there. Any thoughts for a quick and dirty solution for a rented helicopter?

Do you guys just go handheld and hope the 60 fps smooths it out?

 

[William Maheras]

Hi Keith,

You must be working again.
Could you please pay your LONG past due debts!

 

[Michael J Brennan]

If you must go doors off and you are unable to slide from left side to the right whilst airborn, consider which direction do you want the majority of your shots to travel through frame.
From the port side door the orbits are counter clockwise so subject is moving right to left, starboard (pilot side) orbits are clockwise.
Chat with pilot before flight, about prevailing winds and which door to use.

Double the frame rate doubles your flight speed which increases your saftey margin, make sure the pilot understands this so you don't inadvertently push him to his limit.

Mike Brennan

 

[Phil Holland]

Another +1 for Calvin and Paradise. He's a great guy.

if you don't have a ball, use this thing with the door open.