Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/02/15
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All...
I recently went to the brand new National Air & Space Museum "Steven F.
Udvar-Hazy Center" annex out at the Dulles International Airport here in the
DC metro area. For anyone that has been interested in seeing it, but scared
away by the large crowds and parking delays that were reported over the
holidays, now is the time to go. Parking is $12 per vehicle, but admission
to the museum itself is free. Access is pretty easy by car, with fairly
short lines for parking if you get there early. Once inside the museum,
everyone is required to have their bags thoroughly checked and tripods are
*not* allowed, though flash can be used without issue.
Most of the main aviation hanger is complete; however, some of the side
galleries still have yet to be finished and the space hanger is still in the
process of being installed. The main food court is only an empty shell
right now, though they have an alternative temporary location for visitors
to buy Subway sandwiches inside the aviation hanger (better food can be had
off-site, but it's a fairly long drive to find a decent restaurant).
The aircraft are all well presented, but finding good sight lines for
photography is a bit of a challenge, with static crowds around all of the
popular exhibits (SR-71, Shuttle, Enola Gay, etc.). The density of the
exhibits is nothing like the old Garber facility, but then again one is not
allowed to get as close to the aircraft either. The Dulles facility is much
large than the main museum down on the DC Mall.
The new building has a much darker interior than I was expecting, and has a
variety of different temperature light sources, so be prepared for oddly
colored images. I found all of my shots fell between 1/60th and 1/30th @
f/1.0 to f/1.4, all taken with 100 speed chrome film (Ektachrome E100GX,
Velvia 100F and Provia 100F). The 50 is a bit long for some of the
aircraft, but a 35 or 28 would likely be perfect. Remember that tripods are
*NOT* allowed, should you decide to go.
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1ssgc/Noct/Dulles/index.htm
Regards,
/Mitch
_________________________________
E-mail: mitch.zeissler@verizon.net
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