Helios Sun Calculator - DPChallenge Forums

02/10/2010 01:50:08 AM · #1

I'm forever trying to workout where the sun will be when I find a location I want to shoot and as I have an Iphone 3G, thought I may be able to get a compass for it (I know the 3GS has one built-in).

Whilst researching I came across this review and it sounds awesome (if not expensive). Anyone had any experience with it....or something better to suit my purposes?

Helios Sun Calculator

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR

02/11/2010 12:22:40 AM · #2

Well due to the overwhelming positive response I will inform you all I have purchased this.

Used it a few times so far and it is really accurate however I'm not sure it is worth the extra money over some of the cheaper/free ones that are available. But I have no problem paying for something if I earn money out of it which in this case I do. As I shoot a lot of heritage architecture it will aid me a lot in choosing the best time to shoot.

Would still like to hear other photogs approach to the subject.

George

Nikon D750

02/11/2010 01:20:58 AM · #3

I wish I'd seen this thread before, I would've recommended against purchasing the program. This computes a table automatically for a whole day, for any place in the world, at intervals from 1-120 minutes.

//aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/AltAz.php

ETA: There are other programs there, some of which I use. For example, the moonrise/moonset tables for one year tell me when I can see the moon spectacularly low in the sky... something you don't see very often. Moonset was at 10 PM a few weeks ago, and it was quite a sight!

Message edited by author 2010-02-11 01:22:41.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR

02/11/2010 01:59:41 AM · #4

thnx for the input George, but not sure why u would recommend against it. That link u gave is ok but it is not quite as elaborate as Helios with it's inclinometer etc.

George

Nikon D750

02/11/2010 03:11:23 AM · #5

Originally posted by MichaelC:

I'm forever trying to workout where the sun will be when I find a location I want to shoot and as I have an Iphone 3G, thought I may be able to get a compass for it (I know the 3GS has one built-in).

Whilst researching I came across this review and it sounds awesome (if not expensive). Anyone had any experience with it....or something better to suit my purposes?

Sorry, I didn't bother to read the forum you linked to... you stated your purpose here so I just linked to a free "program" (applet?) that gives you what you said you wanted. Inclinometers and compasses... aren't there some free ones for the iPhone? I'm all for freeware (the Free Software thread is in my Watched Threads list), so I'd recommend against any software that does the same thing as freeware but costs money (unless it does it a thousand times faster).

Message edited by author 2010-02-11 03:12:00.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

02/11/2010 03:20:58 AM · #6

Seems to be worth the price for the way it integrates with the inclinometer for predictive purposes alone. Looks like a killer app for photographers who use the Iphone. Would have made life a hell of a lot simpler for me when I was an architectural photographer...

R.