Best Digital Camera for inflight shots is the....?

[Going2Baja]

Hi all - I pulled out my 5 year old Olympus the other day to catch a side by side approach into LAX but it failed to take a good pic. W/ fathers day nearing I thought this would be a good request.

I'd like anyones input on what camera they use that will produce good inflight photos during the day or night. I think most all do great durung the day on the ground but I'm guessing not all are good at capturing good night shots.

Thanks in advance for the input!!!

Baja.

 

[JediNein]

Rebel XT or XTi, it's a 'small' digital SLR that takes the picture when you want it, not half a second or an hour later. You can go nuts with the lens, but I find the 28-135 IS with a rubber wideangle hood works very well to catch side-by-side approaches and the occasional overhead or below airliner without scratching canopies or windows.

The dollar cost goes way up for lenses to catch shots at night, unless you are using a tripod and and/or have time.

Taken at night, handheld, Rebel XT w/28-135 IS: http://www.smugmug.com/photos/125598771-M-2.jpg
Long exposure, tripod, Rebel XT w/28-135 IS:
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/125598891-M-2.jpg
Just after sunset, , Rebel XTi w/28-135 IS: http://www.cirruspilots.org/public/pix/showpic.php?id=382

 

[DrewBlows]

I borrowed my sisters Cannon EOS 20D with a telephoto lens for a week to take some pictures. It took fantastic pictures of airplanes on the ground and during takeoff and landing. My "holy grail" was an air-to-air at altitude. This proved very elusive. I wasn't able to get any pictures I was happy with. The best one was a Southwest 737 but the sun was on the other side of the airplane so it wasn't very good. Even with a telephoto lens, it was impossible to fill the frame at altitude. You may have better luck on approach. Another problem I had was the CRJ as a photo platform. It's windows are waaaaaaaaay too small.

 

[Going2Baja]

Thanks for the great replies but I do currently have a Nikon D60 digital SLR but this is WAY to big to carry on a trip by trip basis. I'd like to get a compact that also shoots video. Not sure what I'd do w/ it but it sounds like a good idea to have for that ONE time tha a videa camera was needed.

Baja

 

[JediNein]

There's always the Powershot TX1 and SD850/750... but they do have the built-in delay when trying to take a shot.

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

panasonic lumix dmz tz3

7.1Mpix 10x optical zoom. Image stabilization, video capability with ability to save frames from movies, Great outdoor photos check it out on Amazon

$300 from Costco. Great Camera. Small form factor.

 

[Mookie]

Baja,

just don't take it to Mexico with you...:beer:

mookie

 

[Going2Baja]

Mook - I've been taking all my gear to Baja and so far no worries. Heck, I could bring in weapons and no one would ever know (not that I would ever!) There really isn't a difference between my $1k Bose/digital camera/ or a laptop is there??

Baja.

 

[CF34-3B1]

I've got a Nikon P4

Boots up way faster than the older CoolPix series, and takes good pictures.

8MP and most important for inflight use, it has vibration reduction.

Small enough to fit in the flight bag easily. Lithium Ion battery lasts for a 4 day trip with no recharging.

Get a big SD card, the pics are usually 1/2 a Meg each

 

[Mookie]

baja,
NOT EXACTLY what I meant....