P3D Re: Aerial stereo questions

[Paul Talbot <ptww@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks to all who posted feedback in response to my aerial stereo
questions.  I did do the shoot, but don't know yet whether I got
anything usable out of it or not.

I started off shooting just after sundown with Provia 100 slide film
and Kodak Extapress MultiSpeed print film.  As it turned to dark,
I also used ExtaPress PJ800, Kodak Pro 1000 (120), and 1 roll of Fuji
Provia 1600. I'll be having the film processed a little at a time,
trying to gauge whether or not I should have some rolls pushed, and
if so, how much.

I shot with a borrowed Nikon FE2, my Nikon 8008, a rented Pentax 6x7,
and of course my Realist.  :-)   (Just a couple shots on the Realist.) 
Lenses were a borrowed Nikon 50mm f/1.4, my 28-85 zoom (variable max
aperture), and a 100mm f/2.4 on the Pentax.  A volunteer assistant
changed film as I rotated among the cameras.  After a few cycles
through the equipment, I put the two manual advance cameras aside
and used only my 8008 with the borrowed (non-automatic) 50mm lens.

The aircraft was a JetRanger that reportedly had special stabilizing
features on it.  The pilot seemed to have extensive experience flying
for photographers, including a BBC photographer who shot with some
pretty large equipment--don't know what, but it apparently dwarfed
the 35mm and MF cameras I carried.  The pilot mentioned he had seen
work by the BBC photographer in National Geographic (before taking
him up).  The weather was perfect, or as close as possible.

The photographer (me) was far too inexperienced and lacked anywhere
near enough knowledge or skill to do the job properly.  If I end up
with anything close to usable out of it all, Lady Luck will deserve
all the credit.  Or maybe because it's true when they say the sunset
is burnt orange because God is a Longhorn.  :-)  (Burnt orange and
white are the school colors.)

I already have a sizeable list of things I did wrong or could have
done much better.  I fully expect that by the time the week is out
the list could have 100 items on it.  But the opportunity to do
this shoot is now history, and will never come around again.  It
was a thrilling, but thoroughly exhausting, experience.  Now I am
left to hope against hope that I'll come out of it with more than
just memories and a learning experience!

Thanks again for the feedback.

Paul Talbot


------------------------------