Dylan Schwartz (@dylan.schwartz) recently took the α9 on a high-flying helicopter experience over Los Angeles. His friend Alex Chaunt, owner of Anthelion Helicopters, piloted the flight and his producer, Erin, and Alpha Collective member Dan Marker-Moore (@danorst) also came along to capture the experience. Schwartz had just gotten the α9 a few days earlier, and was ready to test it out and gain some aerial shots for Instagram content.
Combined with the α9, Schwartz chose to use the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master lens. “The 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master is my favorite lens for shooting aerial photography. As I was testing the a9 for the first time, I wanted to use my most trusted lens with it. I also had my α7R II with the 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master.”
Schwartz was most excited to test the frame rate and autofocus speed of the α9. He likes to do continuous shooting from a helicopter, much like he would do with sports or other action. The difference, of course, is that with aerial photography the photography is in motion and the subject is stationary. Because of this, he shoots in S mode and adjusts his shutter speed and focal length based on the helicopter’s speed and location.
The frame rate of the α9 gave Schwartz a serious advantage when it came to capturing the angles that had previously been impossible to get from a helicopter. “Specifically, finding precise angles where buildings and elements line up perfectly has always been a matter of luck when you’re shooting from a moving helicopter – but with 20fps your chances of getting that shot are greatly increased. The large buffer also had a big impact, as it allowed me to keep shooting.
Dylan Schwartz is a member of the Alpha Collective. Follow him on Instagram @dylan.schwartz
