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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> General Travel -> Anybody ever been to the Very Large Array in New Mexico?
Post Info TOPIC: Anybody ever been to the Very Large Array in New Mexico?
Old_Man


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Anybody ever been to the Very Large Array in New Mexico?
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It's our first major destination. What's bizarre is until a couple weeks ago, I didn't know it existed. I'd seen it in "2010, the year we make contact," but I hadn't even a shred of a clue. No, I didn't see the movie "Contact" until last week. I will dine sumptuously in PIE!!! TOWN!!!, crash near Datil and cruise the toad to the array, the next day. I want the scientist's tour of that place. As many photos as I can take. I'll drag out my Nikons for that one. So many lenses, so many views, so little time. But you know, looking out there, I bet you could put a drone over the top of that place and get some pretty spectacular down angles.



-- Edited by Old_Man on Thursday 1st of March 2018 08:13:05 AM

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LarryW21


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Limit your lenses IMO. It makes views and time easier.

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Old_Man


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Well, ya know, I was a newspaper photographer for 30 years, so, if you don't mind, or even if you do, I'll be the judge of that.

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Terry and Jo


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Limiting lenses isn't always a good idea.  It can lead to lesser quality pictures.  If one is serious about photos (note I didn't say photography), a variety is good.  I'm also a Nikon shooter and have a total of five lenses, four of which are full frame ones.

Terry



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Second Chance


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Old_Man wrote:

... I bet you could put a drone over the top of that place and get some pretty spectacular down angles.

Probably not allowed.

Rob



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Old_Man


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Second Chance wrote:
Old_Man wrote:

... I bet you could put a drone over the top of that place and get some pretty spectacular down angles.

Probably not allowed.

Rob

 Better to ask forgiveness than permission.



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Old_Man


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Terry and Jo wrote:

Limiting lenses isn't always a good idea.  It can lead to lesser quality pictures.  If one is serious about photos (note I didn't say photography), a variety is good.  I'm also a Nikon shooter and have a total of five lenses, four of which are full frame ones.

Terry

 That is completely correct. I sold my 400mmF3.5 lens when I got out of the business, but with digital, it'd be like a 600, anyway. But I have a 100-300 AF zoom I use. All other lenses are manual focus. I find long lenses more useful in general, but if you're a working pro, you need it all. At least access to it all. Rent what you only use once in a while, add the cost into the rate.

I still have my little 75-150 Series E zoom lends  VERY useful lens in regular to high-light situations. Not so good for low light.

At the Array, I won't even shoot in the middle of the day, I prefer early morning or late evening (but before sunset) Even with digital, I'll 'push-process.' Love me some shutter speed. I'll pull out a few photos for y'all. Maybe tomorrow.



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Old_Man


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Second Chance wrote:
Old_Man wrote:

... I bet you could put a drone over the top of that place and get some pretty spectacular down angles.

Probably not allowed.

Rob

 I looked at a current sectional aeronautical chart for that area (Albuquerque, I used to fly light planes) and at the altitudes drones fly, there is no airspace restriction of any kind at the VLA. That said, I would not be stupid about it. I would fly behind the dishes, not in front of them. That's an air safety issue. The radio waves emitting from the antennae are far more than enough to probably destroy any radio receiver that cuts through the beam. In addition, a lot of work would be destroyed if you cut through a beam. Not to mention, the FAA would put massive, reactionary restrictions on the airspace if that happened. So, I'd keep my distance. A drone shot would mostly be a wide shot, unless you had a reason to do different. As a civilian, erring on the side of caution, I'll fly but I'll keep my distance and fly only early/late in the day.



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