When making PetaPixel’s documentary about Blair Bunting’s U2 photograph shoot on the fringe of house (which you must actually watch now in case you haven’t), one factor we determined to not give attention to was the digital camera gear. However we love speaking about cameras and lenses, so Chris sat down with Blair the night earlier than his epic shoot to debate the tools he was mentioning in a U2 spy airplane.
Blair spent months testing a whole bunch of digital camera and lens combos earlier than deciding on his remaining equipment. Try the video above for all the small print, however right here’s the rundown on Blair’s rigorously chosen tools.
Which Cameras Did He Take?
For his major cameras, Blair used a pair of 61-megapixel Sony a7R V mirrorless our bodies. These cameras have the very best decision presently out there in a full body mirrorless, but in addition wonderful dynamic vary. One had a battery grip connected to ensure that the battery would final all the flight. The opposite had a digital camera strap connected that sadly discovered itself wrapped across the eject lever!
Blair additionally introduced a Nikon Z7 II 42-megapixel mirrorless digital camera with customized firmware designed particularly for the flight. There have been particular necessities that the cameras had all communications disabled, and Nikon was capable of present that. A Nikon Z9/8 was thought-about, however Blair wished a mechanical shutter to verify the digital camera was working, in addition to the very best dynamic vary.
To seize the flight, a number of GoPro HERO11 Black cameras have been within the cockpit operating on exterior energy provides. These have been operating customized firmware so batteries weren’t required within the digital camera housing. This firmware prevented overheating on the 2 most vital digital camera angles.
Which Lenses Got here Alongside for the Trip?
The precedence when deciding on lenses for the Sony our bodies was discovering one thing compact that will nonetheless present top-notch picture high quality. For his gorgeous images of Earth, Blair utilized a Voigtlander 10mm f/5.6. This lens is extraordinarily small however sharp and well-corrected. For photographing the second U2 spy airplane, Blair chosen the extremely sharp, however nonetheless compact Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II.
Blair made the choice to convey a 3rd digital camera up particularly so he might shoot a couple of images on his Father’s Nikkor AI 50mm f/1.4 classic lens. This required the usage of the Nikon FTZ II adapter to mount it to the Z7 II mirrorless physique. Whereas Blair says that he “wasn’t bringing it to make artwork”, the pictures this 50-year-old lens captured are actually putting.
For filters, Blair used a Breakthrough polarizer. Having the reflections of the Earth beneath and empty house above, mixed with the glass of the cockpit, created the fascinating flare patterns that Blair used to strengthen his compositions.
How Did It Go?
As Blair recounts within the full documentary, one of many Sony a7R Vs had the rear LCD fail at 65, 000 ft. The EVF was clearly unavailable for the reason that house helmet saved Blair’s eyes a number of inches again from the eyecup. Fortuitously, Blair felt the shutter hearth to verify the digital camera was operational, recalled his earlier settings, and was capable of each expose and body the pictures blind.
We have been capable of communicate with Blair per week in the past for the most recent PetaPixel podcast to cowl some questions which have arisen for the reason that documentary was revealed. I requested Blair if he would have accomplished something in a different way if he have been to do it over again. I used to be stunned by his response that he wouldn’t change a factor. He went up with the expectation that he would seize a dozen or so good pictures of the flight, and returned with over a dozen he was pleased with.
The success of Blair’s shoot is a testomony to the worth of planning and testing your instruments previous to an vital mission. Blair’s diligence is a big a part of why he’s developed the popularity he has for getting iconic pictures in tough conditions, and the U2 mission is his finest instance but.
