Taking pictures from monorails?

[Independence1776]

I'm going to Disney for a couple days in early September, and one of my photography goals is to take a couple pictures from a moving monorail. I've seen some examples, so I know it can be done. My question is how.

I have a Canon A1 (uses 35mm film) with 28mm, 50mm, and 80-200 mm lenses. I'm probably not taking the 28mm since I don't have much room. I normally use Aperature priority.

Which lens should I use? What shutter speed do I need to take a non-blurry picture? Can I leave it in Aperature priority or should I switch to fully manual? Any other advice?

(One slightly weird request: I'm on an extremely slow dial-up connection, so could you please not post any photos in this thread? )

 

[seashoreCM]

I would say you need 1/250'th second or faster to reasonably assure a sharp picture given the shaking of the train in motion. If it is subject matter near the train, such as nearby track (infrastructure) or nearby trees, then you need a still faster shutter speed, I suggest 1/500 or faster.

Use full manual if possible. You can use shutter speed priority if there is a readout of what the shutter speed is before you shoot; don't shoot if the shutter speed reported is too slow. Remember that the more you zoom, the smaller the available aperture you have with a given lens which will make it more difficult to adhere to the needed shutter speed. You may need to plan on loading a roll of higher ISO which may in turn mean all of the pictures taken around that time being more grainy.

I forget to what extent the monorail train windows are tinted requiring a greater exposure (aperture in this case).

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[ukcatfan]

It depends on how far away the subject is. If you are near the TTC and shooting the GF, then the subject is not moving very fast in relation to you. If you are shooting the inside of the CR while in a moving monorail, then you are going to need a fast shutter and high ISO film.

The big thing to worry about is finding a clean spot of glass to shoot through. You might consider bringing some Windex wipes to at least get the inside glass. A CP would be helpful as well to reduce inside reflections.

One last comment. I would not leave the 28mm behind. There are tons of wide angle opportunities at WDW. I am considering a fish eye to get even wider than the effective 27mm wide end I currently have.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Ditto what Kevin said about the 28.

I don't think you'll need to do much of anything special. I've taken photos from the monorail many times with no problem. The white balance can be screwy because of the glass in the windows, this will be a lot more difficult to deal with since you're using film rather than digital, but hopefully whoever does the developing can figure it out.

One other thing: it also depends on just which Disney you're talking about - there is more than one, you know. At Disneyland, the windows go down so you can shoot straight out without any glass in your way. I haven't been to the non-US Disney parks, so I can't speak for them.

Here's a few monorail photos from WDW, to give you an idea.

ISO 400, 1/60, F4.5 - relatively slow shutter, and it looks like there's a grid in the glass:

ISO 200, 1/180, F9.5:

ISO 200, 1/120, F8.0 - these are the Electrical Water Pageant floats:

ISO 200, 1/180, F6.7 - the other monorail was going in the opposite direction to/from Epcot, so traveling pretty quickly:

ISO 1600, 1/90, F2.0 - the bus was going in the same direction so shutter speed wasn't too critical here:

 

[Independence1776]

Thanks for the advice. And yes, I'm going to WDW.

I'm probably going to use the 50mm lens for this, and I only have a couple of shots I want to get, both of Epcot. One is Spaceship Earth as you approach it (I am planning on being in the cab). The second is of the World Showcase. Are these two shots even possible?

As for the 28mm, my only luggage this trip will be a backpack. I literally might not have the room for both it and my telephoto, and I'd rather have the latter. If I can fit it, though, I'll take it.

 

[Groucho]

Here's a few from the Epcot loop, to give you an idea of what to expect. (And good luck riding in the front! I've tried a few times but haven't been able to make it happen yet.

Whoops! I just noticed that you asked not to post photos in this thread. Sorry about that.

Anyway, if you'd like, I have some photos from the Epcot monorail loop too, including Spaceship Earth, on this page.

 

[Independence1776]

Thanks- I'm already planning on waiting if I have to. (Monorails are one of my favorite things at Disney.)

I checked out your site- absolutely gorgeous pictures. Glad to have examples of it being done! I'm now a lot more confident about it.

 

[Groucho]

Thanks! Glad that you liked them. I'm currently adding shots from my just-completed trip, so there'll be a lot more there in the next few weeks.

Good luck with your photos!