Airshow lens advice ... any ideas ????

[johneo]

The Airshow comes to town this weekend. I'm like a kid when it comes and really looking forward to it. It's also one of the things that convinced me to get my 10D last year ... I considered myself pretty lucky to get a nice clean crisp shot of the Blue Angles as they flew over with my Sony and was tired of shooting numerous shots to get only 1 or 2 decent ones.

Anyway ... I'll be armed to the teeth with my 10D, Elan 7NE, 100-400 L IS, 17-40 L and 28-135 IS ... I'll have front & center viewing and trying to figure out which and what to do. (I think the more equipment you have the more confusing it gets :oops: )

Here's my thoughts ...

100-400 L on the 10D (seeing I'll be using that the most)
28-135 IS on the 7NE (using slide film) and occasionally swaping that with the 17-40 for ground shots (Boy, I love having a WA lens again!).

My biggest fear is having the 100-400 L on the 10D will not allow me the FOV for those shots directly over the runway and I hate to miss them as well as to keep swapping lenses during the show.

Any ideas, experiences and advice welcome ... Thanks!

BTW ... I'll be able to "practice" during the other parts of the show before the USAF Thunderbirds go up but I know you folks have vast knowledge and I appeciate it. :D

[NickC]

I shoot 4 to 5 air shows a year with my 100-400 and I always wish it was longer, and I'm also always in the front row. You won't have any FOV problem with the planes flying right in front of you because they're really further than it looks.

[scottbergerphoto]

The 100-400 will be fine for high shots (36% Scale Models):

http://www.pbase.com/image/29530130.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/29519325.jpg

For close shots the 28-135 should work.

Have fun!
Scott

[SnJPhoto]

Not sure if your in an ara that has a decent pro shop, but how about renting a long fast lens?

Other than that, i would think the 100-400 would be a nice shooter.

Scott

[who10]

I used a 70-200L f4 last year in Hillsboro, Oregon with a 10D

(Links removed...)

I set the AF to AI Servo, separated AE and AF (to "*") and panned
the targets.

The combination worked real well both for front center and
arials.

David

[Jim_T]

Since we're posting pictures :)

I already posted this once in "Share photos" last week, but it's a great example of what the 100-400L can do..

http://members.shaw.ca/jamestownsend/wingwalker.jpg

[Harry Settle]

FWIW: I have shot the Blue Angel's airshows a million times with my film camera. Canon A-1 with motor drive, 35-105 zoom. That was my absolute favorite lens ever. Once I decide whether or not to get the Rebel or the 10D, I'm going to find the equivilent lens. The Angels are easiest to snap by panning 1 until a crossover occurs. Watch behind you, several times you have one or more sneaking up from behind. Your digital cam with autofocus is going to be awesome. Almost no worries.

My old 100-200 was too close many times. Their show is designed for clear viewing by people on the ground using only M-1 eyeballs.

Send a couple of snaps when you get done. I miss seeing them in action.

[dn7elson]

My biggest fear is having the 100-400 L on the 10D will not allow me the FOV for those shots directly over the runway and I hate to miss them as well as to keep swapping lenses during the show.

Biggest problem with any long lens will be getting it cranked around and find the jet traveling at 500 or so MPH on fast runs. I've always had much better luck listening for the aircraft and then swinging the camera to where the sound should be. It takes a bit of practice, but you will be amazed at how you are able to get the image into the frame and be able to pan to get the shot. I would think that the 100-400 being a pump zoom would be ideal for this as you could do your initial locate at 100-200 and then quickly zoom as you pan.

[RCJ]

Scott,
Nice airshow photos, what was the shutter speed on these? You really nailed it with the prop motion effect.

RJ

[scottbergerphoto]

Scott,
Nice airshow photos, what was the shutter speed on these? You really nailed it with the prop motion effect.

RJ
The top one was 1/2500 and the bottom 1/2000
Scott

[adamsti]

As mentioned the 100-400 works well. I just used it for the first time this past weekend. This was taken with it. I do like my 70-200, 2.8IS much better when zooming. The push/pull of the 100-400 is ok, but the 70-200 is a lot easier to work with. I bought the 100-400 so I would not have to use the 2X on the 70-200. I think I'm only going to keep the 100-400 until I buy a 300 2.8IS, but this may be awhile.
http://gallery.photo.net/photo/2451770-lg.jpg

[BoySpot]

When you are looking to pick up the aircraft, keep a look out a long way to each side of the display line. The faster jets will often line up quite a way out in order to be stabilized by the time they reach the crowd. If the formations have split the next lot will be getting ready to come in as the first lot clear. If you pick them up early, you have a lot more time to get a good track on them.

If watching the Blue Angels (and who wouldn't) remember that when one of them blow across you from behind, another will pass very fast across you in front almost immediately afterward. That pass is fast enough that, if there is some humidity in the air, you will get good shockwaves forming on the airframe. They make a great photo against a blue sky. I can assure you of this because I have failed to get the camera up in time twice now. Third time lucky, I hope.

[NickC]

if there is some humidity in the air, you will get good shockwaves forming on the airframe. They make a great photo against a blue sky.

It's called a transonic cloud or vapor cone, chronicled here (http://www.wilk4.com/misc/soundbreak.htm) with lots of photos and links.

I was lucky enough to catch one with my D30 at Moffett in 2001.

http://www.deaddogparty.com/airshows/moffett2001/moff0419s.jpg

[dn7elson]

I was lucky enough to catch one with my D30 at Moffett in 2001.

Very nice....looks like a fighter jet in a tutu :lol: :lol:

[johneo]

First off ... thanks for all the advice! And the photos ... guess I'm not the only one that enjoys a good airshow ... :lol:

I was looking through some of my old airshow 'digital' photos and even with my old Sony floppy disk camera I got a couple decent shots ... that's also why I'm so excited about going with my Canon stuff.

From my old floppy camera ... (click left arrow for other shots)

http://www.riview.com/airshow/64000363.htm

People look at me strange, but I've been practicing with seagulls as they fly by some cliffs near me. Used to try the same with my old Sony's and if I got 1 out of 10 I thought I was doing good. If I don't get 8 out of 10 with the 10D I'm bummed out.

Really looking forward to this weekend ... 3 days of airshow photos ... and my wife had the NERVE to ask me to go to a graduation party ... :lol:

[mjordan]

The last airshow I went to a couple of years ago (the last Rose Festival sponsored one here in Hillsboro, Oregon) I got the Thunderbirds with my D30 and 70-200 4.0L lens. I can't wait for the one this year at the Hillsboro airport because I now have a 10D and 100-400L as well as a 70-200 2.8L IS to put on the D30 or even my EOS 3.

Here is one of my Thunderbirds

http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/tb0191fa.jpg

Mike