How to unfreeze chopper rotors?

[downwind]

Problem:
On a sunny day at ISO 100 (as low as it gets) I can't get into low enough shutter speeds to my liking. Sounds odd, does it not? I know, it's all fancy glass these days in quest for light & speed, getting crisp pics at 1:6400 if possible. However these short shutter times tend to freeze turning rotors & propellors, which I absolutely dislike. It takes away all the suggestion of movement, like the a/c is standing still in midair instead of rotors or props running. For a decently fuzzy rotor or prop disk I prefer a setting of 1:125 or slower, which I find feasible with a tripod or monopod for hovering or slow taxiing a/c.
Suggestion/question:
Landscape photographers use neutral density (ND) grey filters for this purpose; smoothen waterfalls at daylight etc. Has anyone ever used or considered using an ND filter for my above described issue? Or used another trick to avoid props & rotors freezing in midair?

[MarkCantPark]

You gave the answer your self allready, ND/grey filter is THE way to go in combination with a low shutterspeed. Editing in prop blur is also an option in photoshop for example, but that will require some skill and will not look as nice in my opinion.

Good luck!

Mark

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[Erik_7Xi]

There is no other way than shooting at 1/125 or slower. It depends on the type of helicopter as well, not all rotors turn at the same rate and speed. I generally use 1/60 to 1/125 depending on the movement of the helicopter. It is difficult, especially with longer lenses but having recently switched to a IS (VR) lens, I have noticed a sharp increase in my keeper rate - especially when shooting helicopters.

[Harry Spotter]

At 1/125s, ISO100 and bright sunshine, you'd end up with an aperture of f16. Any lens can easily take that. So no problem, right? Or do you really want a large aperture? In that case you need an ND.

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[MarkCantPark]

At 1/125s, ISO100 and bright sunshine, you'd end up with an aperture of f16. Any lens can easily take that. So no problem, right? Or do you really want a large aperture? In that case you need an ND.

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I think 1/125 at F16 will still be to fast. Last week I took some shots of an R.A.F. Sea King with an 7D + 70-200/4.0 L Non-is

Exif : 1/60 @ F11.0 ISO100


Exif : 1/40 @ F14.0 ISO100


Depending off course on what kind of prop blur you want, it is doable with a normal lens and a slow shutter speed. Just don't forget to put your camera on burst mode, incase you might miss a nice moment.

Gr,

Mark

[Iwan Bogels]

I agree with Harry Spotter. I feel that I can always drop the shutterspeed enough to get a decent blur. But what is decent for you ? If you want a full rotor disc on top, you might need to drop beyond your lens capabilities. Then a ND filter seems the way to go. But with IS / VR / OS in your lens, thic situation is likely to occur almost never.

Cheers,
Iwan

[Harry Spotter]

I think 1/125 at F16 will still be to fast. Last week I took some shots of an R.A.F. Sea King with an 7D + 70-200/4.0 L Non-is

Exif : 1/60 @ F11.0 ISO100


Exif : 1/40 @ F14.0 ISO100


Depending off course on what kind of prop blur you want, it is doable with a normal lens and a slow shutter speed. Just don't forget to put your camera on burst mode, incase you might miss a nice moment.

Gr,

Mark

your examples are not sunny, so 'too fast' is relative. My point was the 'sunny 16 rule' (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunny_16_rule) which shows that even when shooting in bright daylight you can still go as low as 1/60s f22 without the need of NDs.
If someone purposely wants to shoot with a large aperture, like <f8 for example, a ND is needed.

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[mirage 69]

This pictures are taken on a sunny day.




So maybe you need to change your point of view (if possible), don't use only blue skies as a background but some buildings or trees.
Or use a zoom lens, in case you did not. My problem is most of the time that you don't have enough light......

Grtz Rene

[Redskin301]

My advice is to use a tripod for cjopper photography

I always use a tripod, and I'am an experienced helicopter photographer

[Erik_7Xi]

To each their own but I find using a tripod to shoot helicopters just too clumsy and restrictive! Especially when using an IS/VR lens, it shouldn't really be needed to get some great shots.

[Spooky]

Hi,

I've seen Alex operate with his tripod and have to give him the kudos. My personal feeling is that I agree with Eric and also find tripods only necesary for nightshots.

But......everybody must act in line with their preferences as long as you are happy with your results.

Ciao, Anno

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