When I saw the 3D map in Apple’s latest iOS 6 features video I thought it was funny to see they show off this new feature by flying around the Transamerica Pyramid. It’s a view I know pretty well!

I can see how the 3D feature could be handy for scouting out aerial locations to shoot from ahead of time, but you don’t get the sense of perspective that you get from using different lenses. It’s a little whacked.

Here’s a comparison between what I can see in the new Maps App on my iPad and what I actually shot from almost the same position. In my aerial shot the Transamerica Pyramid seems to be shooting out of the ground and is far more dramatic. Needless to say, I still like my shot better.

The top picture is a rendered view of the Transamerica Pyramid from iOS 6 Maps 3D.

And this second one is my shot taken from a Hughes 500c helicopter, with a Canon 5D Mk2 16-35mm at 16mm.