New York Helicopter Company

[KevinA]

Hi,
Not exactly medium format, but I bet someone here has the info.
I have a potential day and night aerial shoot over New York.
Can anyone recommend a helicopter charter company that is experienced in photographic work please.
I have Googled several, but nothing beats firsthand recommendation, for photography they need to be flexible on times and weather etc.

Thanks,
Kevin.

[Dennis Carbo]

Hi Kevin,

 Just curious why a Helicopter and not a Fixed Wing Aircraft ?  About 20% of my business is Aerial Photography - most from a Cessna 172 OR 177. You might try the PAPA (Professional Aerial Photographers Association) for some recommendations or google Lee Ross of Ross Pilot Photography - Great guy works almost entirely over NYC and may have some sources for you.

Regards,

Dennis

[KevinA]

Hi Kevin,

 Just curious why a Helicopter and not a Fixed Wing Aircraft ?  About 20% of my business is Aerial Photography - most from a Cessna 172 OR 177. You might try the PAPA (Professional Aerial Photographers Association) for some recommendations or google Lee Ross of Ross Pilot Photography - Great guy works almost entirely over NYC and may have some sources for you.

Regards,

Dennis

I shoot a lot from a Cessna as well, but given the choice helicopter everytime, especially for night shooting. I can't shoot with a 12mm lens on a 1Ds from a cessna or have much choice of portrait views, or get as low, or stitch a row etc.
Helicopters are a much better platform than a Cessna.

http://kevinallen.photodeck.com/-/galleries/iconic-london/page/1
Kevin.

[Dennis Carbo]

I shoot a lot from a Cessna as well, but given the choice helicopter everytime, especially for night shooting. I can't shoot with a 12mm lens on a 1Ds from a cessna or have much choice of portrait views, or get as low, or stitch a row etc.
Helicopters are a much better platform than a Cessna.

http://kevinallen.photodeck.com/-/galleries/iconic-london/page/1
Kevin.

I wouldnt say its a better platform..just better suited for what you describe (12mm, portrait, stitching etc) - I'll use heli's when shooting boats. The downside i find is much more Vibration (In a robinson R44) and about 4 times the cost ...for my shooting mostly for architects, construction progress, scenery I prefer the Cessna 177 .

Good luck on the shoot, nice work on your site

D

[asf]

http://www.libertyhelicopterscharter.com/cinema/

[paulmoorestudio]

I did a shoot a month ago with Awesome flight out of Westchester county airport.. had the door off for me
in a small fast copter..it was the first time I have shot motion in a helicopter so that was a new challenge
but if you need to control right where to get the shot then nothing beats it.
I think they work out of a few of the local nyc airports.. it ran 600hr. and was worth it.

[PatrikR]

There's a turbine version of that R44. Should be much smoother.

[Dennis Carbo]

There's a turbine version of that R44. Should be much smoother.

Thanks for the Heads Up Patrick !  I usually do 1 or 2 flights a month that are between 2 and 3 hours long and the Cessna 177R  or 172 is perfectly suited for my shoots and is only $160 an hour (pilot included! lol),  I was paying $650 an hour for the R44 to chase boats in Newport, RI  - If I do that or a Video shoot I will certainly check out the Turbine Chopper ! 

Happy Shooting!

Dennis

[flynnyfalcon]

Not sure what they charge per hour in NY, but I regularly shoot from a 500 Notar.  Incredibly smooth with 5 rotor blades & no rear rotar, pretty quiet in comparison to the Bells, Robinsons, Squirrels and alike and great access in the rear.  Worth a look...

[BrendanStewart]

Can't give you a company but i can give you tips...

R44 is your best bet. As others have mentioned, the turbine version is more smooth than the rotary. However, there are less of those and the gas is used faster hence being charged more.

Secondly, ask the pilot to take the rear doors off. Nobody wants to shoot through tiny windows....

Lastly, consider renting a KS-8.   http://www.ken-lab.com/html/rentals.html  

.02

[flynnyfalcon]

Have to agree, a well mated gyro makes the world of difference.

[Dennis Carbo]

+1 on the Gyro - I use the KS-6 on my dslr