Re: [Leica] Helicopter Aerials - stabilizer question

[Dennis Painter <dpainter@bigfoot.com>]

Hi Gary,

If you can post some of St George Lighthouse it would be great. It's a
spectactular site and construction then living there, virtually in the
middle of the ocean, is amazing!

Dennis

Gary Todoroff wrote:
> 
<snip> 
> 
> This morning the helicopter plans did work out and we flew to the St George
> Reef Lighthouse, about 30 minutes north and six miles off the coast of
> Crescent City. Weather was perfect, with just enought high overcast to keep
> the contrast range down a bit. I shot the Hasselblad ELM out the open door
> of the HH65 Coast Guard helicopter. We were really close during three orbits
> around the rock, so I was able to shoot with the 80mm, trying to capture
> some of the beautful turquois blue water as the waves receded.
> 
> >From a further distance, I used the old but dependable Leica SL with a 90mm
> Elmarit and a 280/4.8 Telyt. Two grey whales swam by when were at about 100'
> elevation, and I got a few shots of them, too.
> 
> We landed on the tiny landing pad and I used the M6 for some shots around
> the abandonded light, mostly with the 35. We toured the many rooms where
> lightkeepers and Coasties lived and worked since 1892, and I sensed what a
> rare priviledge it was to be one of the few who has ever been on that remote
> outpost over the last 100 years.
> 
> >From the top, I  shot an unusual perspective from above the helicopter, its
> blades still spinning, a flight mechanic nearby, and waves crashing on rocks
> just twenty feet below the scene. I love Velvia for landscapes, but can't
> stand the way it interprets the orange color of the helicopter. So far, I
> use Astia for the orange color, but haven't experimented much. Anybody have
> a favorite slide film for interpreting international orange?
> 
> After the group commander flew us home (it was his first trip to the
> lighthouse, too), we both husseled to a lunch meeting back in Eureka, where
> plans are rapidly developing for the festivities around declaring Eureka as
> a Coast Guard City on June 3rd. Should be a great party for a great group of
> people!
> 
> Regards,
> Gary Todoroff
> Tree LUGger
>