I'm after some advice on the shooting technique associated with shooting from light aircraft.
I am studying a threatened species of Cormorant in the United Arab EMirates and need aerial photos of a colony of approx 55,000 birds in order to accurately count them. Helicopter and satellite imagery are a no go so I was wondering if using a light aircraft (not likely) is a good option or should I try to get a microlight or gyrocopter? Also what gear is best? I shoot canon gear and have a 70-200 zoom. Will it suffice? Anyone else shot from any of these types of aircraft?
Have you looked into those rigs which mount a camera on a remote control helicopter? Kind of a diy drone? Mind you, by the time you get hold of one it might just be cheaper to charter a helicopter/plane for a few hours. It shouldn't be that hard to do unless you are going to overfly sensitive areas.
I'd guess the size lens you need depends on altitude.
I doe aerials a couple times a year for golf tournaments & music festivals, and hire a Cessna 172. I get area shots with a 24-105 (like all 18 holes from 2000 feet) and tighter shots with a 70-200 (like one hole). Shutter speed is really key, if you can get 1/800th second there is no need for any stabilization device (other than IS perhaps), which is easy in good light.
I would look hard at a remote camera mounted to a remote control glider. There are tons of pages on the internet talking about ROV or RTV( Real time View) model airplanes. In effect a small drone.
the reason I'd think about a glider is they are a lot quieter than a helicopter, or even a remote control helicopter, which will make the birds fly, making the counting harder.
that's also a lot cheaper than a full scale airplane.
if this is scientific only, I'd mount a GoPro HD on the belly of a 6" or 8" RC glider, and fly that thing back and forth over the area, then download the footage and make stills to count from.
