DSLR inflight use
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
DSLR inflight use
So I'm considering to get my first DSLR (Nikon D7200 and 18-200mm Nikkor lens) soon to use for my upcoming trip this summer. Of course, common sense dictates no flash and avoid taking pics of other people, but one thing I was wondering about is the shutter noise. What's the etiquette to using a DSLR during the flight to take pics of food and window shots? Do you switch to your cellphone for meal service? Or does no one care and do whatever you want?
Just trying to get an idea of what many of you do.
Just trying to get an idea of what many of you do.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
I use my DSLR the whole trip; especially if I am doing a trip report.
Typically no one will hear the click of a DSLR over the roar of the engines anyway. Have great trip ^
Typically no one will hear the click of a DSLR over the roar of the engines anyway. Have great trip ^
#4
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
So I'm considering to get my first DSLR (Nikon D7200 and 18-200mm Nikkor lens) soon to use for my upcoming trip this summer. Of course, common sense dictates no flash and avoid taking pics of other people, but one thing I was wondering about is the shutter noise. What's the etiquette to using a DSLR during the flight to take pics of food and window shots? Do you switch to your cellphone for meal service? Or does no one care and do whatever you want?
Just trying to get an idea of what many of you do.
Just trying to get an idea of what many of you do.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
When I wish to photograph during a flight, I usually keep my fastest "normal" lens on the camera and save the more versatile zooms for other times. Shooting at f/1.4 means I can keep the flash turned off. A good rule of thumb is to avoid disturbing other pax.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Definitely still have a lot to learn about photography.
The 18-200mm is being considered for two reasons. First, I was planning to buy a single starting lens and second, it seemed to be more versatile for indoor/outdoor shots at the trip destination, where a large chunk of the photos will be taken. Now, I wouldn't mind getting a second lens if that's going to improve the quality of my pics. Is there another Nikkor lens suggested for in-flight/low-light use for under $500?
The 18-200mm is being considered for two reasons. First, I was planning to buy a single starting lens and second, it seemed to be more versatile for indoor/outdoor shots at the trip destination, where a large chunk of the photos will be taken. Now, I wouldn't mind getting a second lens if that's going to improve the quality of my pics. Is there another Nikkor lens suggested for in-flight/low-light use for under $500?
#7
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Definitely still have a lot to learn about photography.
The 18-200mm is being considered for two reasons. First, I was planning to buy a single starting lens and second, it seemed to be more versatile for indoor/outdoor shots at the trip destination, where a large chunk of the photos will be taken. Now, I wouldn't mind getting a second lens if that's going to improve the quality of my pics. Is there another Nikkor lens suggested for in-flight/low-light use for under $500?
The 18-200mm is being considered for two reasons. First, I was planning to buy a single starting lens and second, it seemed to be more versatile for indoor/outdoor shots at the trip destination, where a large chunk of the photos will be taken. Now, I wouldn't mind getting a second lens if that's going to improve the quality of my pics. Is there another Nikkor lens suggested for in-flight/low-light use for under $500?
The nikon 50mm 1.8 is a steal, the 1.4 is awesome as far as cost/quality is concerned. But that might not help take a photo when your looking at your tray. There's also a 35mm 1.8 for under $200.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
For a crop sensor body, I think I'd go wider than 50mm. Anywhere from 18-35. That 35mm looks good or something even wider if you can find one in your price range at f/1.4 or f/1.8. F/1.2 is better but won't be cheap.
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,231
you can always rent one for a few bucks instead of spending a ton for an 'inflight' lens.
The nikon 50mm 1.8 is a steal, the 1.4 is awesome as far as cost/quality is concerned. But that might not help take a photo when your looking at your tray. There's also a 35mm 1.8 for under $200.
The nikon 50mm 1.8 is a steal, the 1.4 is awesome as far as cost/quality is concerned. But that might not help take a photo when your looking at your tray. There's also a 35mm 1.8 for under $200.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 512
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Definitely still have a lot to learn about photography.
The 18-200mm is being considered for two reasons. First, I was planning to buy a single starting lens and second, it seemed to be more versatile for indoor/outdoor shots at the trip destination, where a large chunk of the photos will be taken. Now, I wouldn't mind getting a second lens if that's going to improve the quality of my pics. Is there another Nikkor lens suggested for in-flight/low-light use for under $500?
The 18-200mm is being considered for two reasons. First, I was planning to buy a single starting lens and second, it seemed to be more versatile for indoor/outdoor shots at the trip destination, where a large chunk of the photos will be taken. Now, I wouldn't mind getting a second lens if that's going to improve the quality of my pics. Is there another Nikkor lens suggested for in-flight/low-light use for under $500?
#13
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: In order of nights spent: MSP, ORD, OGG, FCO, LHR
Programs: DL 1MM Dia, AA Plat, UA 1MM Gold, HHonors LT Dia, Marriott/SPG LT Plat Prem
Posts: 473
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Definitely still have a lot to learn about photography.
The 18-200mm is being considered for two reasons. First, I was planning to buy a single starting lens and second, it seemed to be more versatile for indoor/outdoor shots at the trip destination, where a large chunk of the photos will be taken. Now, I wouldn't mind getting a second lens if that's going to improve the quality of my pics. Is there another Nikkor lens suggested for in-flight/low-light use for under $500?
The 18-200mm is being considered for two reasons. First, I was planning to buy a single starting lens and second, it seemed to be more versatile for indoor/outdoor shots at the trip destination, where a large chunk of the photos will be taken. Now, I wouldn't mind getting a second lens if that's going to improve the quality of my pics. Is there another Nikkor lens suggested for in-flight/low-light use for under $500?
If you get the Nikon 17-55, my recommendation would be to forget the 18-200. You could get the new (just released) Tamron 70-200 for less than $1200 and the pair would give you amazing lenses, versatility, and 2/3 of the trinity considered by most pro's using DX format Nikon gear....... On the 7200 the 70-200 would really act like a 105 to 300mm lens..... Give you almost all of the range that you would have had, but much better optics, sharper images, color saturation, micro-contrast, etc, etc........ Might be more than you are wanting to spend, but if you get into photography as a hobby, you will wish that you had both of those lenses.
Those would be my first 2 lenses if I were buying the D7200..... (I used to have a D7100, almost the same camera, one generation older). I have the D500 now which is the same sensor size, and love both of those lenses..... Extremely Sharp, and great shots......
You will love the D7200, it's a great camera......
Last edited by mspreh; Mar 7, 2017 at 5:37 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 64
Try to get a 1.4 lens if you can. Even with a 1.4 lens, it is going to be hard getting decent pictures out the window at night or at dawn/dusk.
The engine noise pretty much drowns out the shutter sound as some of the other posters have said.
The engine noise pretty much drowns out the shutter sound as some of the other posters have said.