Camera Labs

As i have repeatedly told people here my job is really the worst in the world.

Recently i have been working on some quite large rock fall projects in Milford Sound, NZ. These have been relatively high profile and quite high pressure as the only road in and out was closed until we could give it the all clear. This has stopped me from getting out there and taking some decent photos.

Anyway this week we managed to get a really good result with the road re-opening and as such we decided to celebrate by taking in some of NZ's most dramatic scenery. After all the helicopter was already here due to work....we just took the errr..shortcut back home to queenstown.

I didnt have my main camera with me but i did have my pocket Canon Powershot A4000is

Now i dont think the powershot is actually that good, i have had much better results with my old Ixus. The Powershot still uses the Digic4 processor which i thikn is a step backwards for a relatively new canon model. But hey..

Anyway let me talk you through...All of these shots are with the Powershot taken through the windshield. They will be hazy and suffer from some glare as a result.

This is Lake Wakatipu. We have to fly over it to get across to Fjordland where Milford Sound is situated.


Wakatipu, Queenstown, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr

After we finished with what we had to do...we decided to see how high we could go before our brains started shrinking

This is looking straight across Milford Sound looking South at about 8pm so sun is just setting and clouds are rolling in off the Tasman Sea.


Milford Sound, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr


Edge of the World, Milford Sound, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr

After climbing to around 12500 feet we decided that our brains were beginning to get a bit heavy so we turned towards Mount Aspiring and a scenic flight through the National Park.


Mount Aspiring National Park, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr

Just then our pilot turned and said...

"do you guys want to see something really cool ?"

there is only one answer to that..

I only wish i had the forethought to hit the record button on the video about 2 mins earlier. Even still i did manage to grab some video which i will eventually post on to Vimeo.

In the meantime i will have to just tease you with he stills i grabbed.

This is the Olivine Ice Plateau, its a completely no go area and a protected national heritage site...we broke a few rules by flying at 30m above the plateau at around 200kph.... this is at around 1800m altitude.


Olivine Ice Plateau, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr


Olivine Ice Plateau, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr

And as you fall over the edge of the plateau you see the glaciers in all their glory..


Andy's Glacier, Olivine Ice Plateau, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr


Andy's Glacier, Olivine Ice Plateau, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr

and then we had to go home.

So i grabbed a quick pano of the mountain scene ahead of us.


Fjordland, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr

and as we made our way back to Queenstown we decided to hit the gap of Ben Lomond above Queenstown heading towards the Remarkables.


Ben Lomond - Queenstown, NZ by robbon44, on Flickr

I think i said "awesome" far too many times.

We work hard and we work in some pretty high risk environments but the rewards speak for themselves.

Hope you enjoyed these and all i can say is that the photos DONT do it any justice and next time i will take my main camera.

If you get a chance. Visit NZ. It really is magnificent and really untouched.

_________________
Canon 550D, Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM, Canon EF 75-300 IS USM, Canon EFS 10-22mm USM, Canon EF35mm F2.

Got some of the gear but really still no idea...

Wow..... even with a compact camera, the shots are pretty impressive, the place looks beautiful
What I'd give to have your job......

_________________
Gear: Canon SX20 IS, Canon Rebel T3i, Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Wishlist: Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Visit me and leave me a comment in My Flickr

Amazing shots Rob, yes I think you have the worst job in the world.

Cheers

_________________
Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

Awesome scenery.



Careful, if too many of us come over it'll turn into a tourist trap like Niagara.

nice one Rob.
Mate was a train driver on the South Island, before the wages went downhill and he came to drive trains Australia. I went on a few trips with him, the scenery was spectacular.

_________________
Canon Powershot S95, Canon 6D,7D, 24-70 2.8 Tamron VC, Canon 15-85, Canon 85 1.8, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L Macro, Canon 70-300L +Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic

To quote a line from one of my favourite films:

"You lucky lucky b******!"

Amazing pictures, at least it isn't raining in them!

I really must save up/sell stuff and visit my mate on the South Island, only problem I can see is having to come back.

_________________
Dent, Arthur Dent.

Pentax k-30 and k-x with DAL 18-55mm and DAL 55-300mm, Tamron 18-50mm and Camera Labs Straps.

Glorious robbon. I've loved NZ since 1969 and would live there like a shot - if I had the spare million or so to qualify as an investor.

Thanks all.

2 years ago my job in the uk was based in Birmingham overlooking a business park, I had a 1.5hr commute and hated it.

I took an opportunity and never looked back.

I call this karma.


Happy Christmas and happy holidays to all.

Rob

_________________
Canon 550D, Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM, Canon EF 75-300 IS USM, Canon EFS 10-22mm USM, Canon EF35mm F2.

Got some of the gear but really still no idea...

Thanks Rob, merry christmas for you too.
Oh and by the way....

I wouldn't worry too much about that, tourists that made Niagara what it is now are too lazy or just aren't willing to pay to go to NZ. I think we can enjoy the beauty of NZ for a long time

_________________
Gear: Canon SX20 IS, Canon Rebel T3i, Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Wishlist: Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Visit me and leave me a comment in My Flickr

_________________
Canon 550D, Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM, Canon EF 75-300 IS USM, Canon EFS 10-22mm USM, Canon EF35mm F2.

Got some of the gear but really still no idea...

STUNNING!!!

_________________
Pentax K-5
Pentax 18-55mm,Pentax 50-200mm,Sigma 17-70mm,Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma 50-500mm

Oh man, what a beautiful place!

If you hadn't said anything, i'd have presumed they were taken from inside a plane. 12500' up in a helo must have been quite an experience.

I can fully understand why you chose NZ over B/ham ...... You lucky b...er!!!

Merry Christmas.

_________________

Nikon D800E & D700 bodies + Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

love the 4 pics of the ice plateau and the glacier... well done!

_________________
Canon 7D + 50D + EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM + EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Pelican // Black Rapid // Think Tank // Manfrotto // Garmin

Reflections On Canadian Wildlife
My Flickr

I'll add my congrats too. Reeeeally nice pictures! Some places are so pretty even a less than ideal camera and windshield glare can't ruin it! But there was obviously a lot of motion (helo rides are not known for being the smoothest ride in town!), so you did a great job getting such nice pictures. My Dad used to have a saying which would apply here: It was a "good job, well done!" Thanks for sharing,
X

Thanks for sharing these wonderful images!

_________________
Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro