A Couple From Airshow

[victoria]

Here are a couple that I took last year. Got a few more weeks to go for this years airshow. What can I do to improve?:)

[Mark_Mason]

I like 'em, but, You need some better long glass. They don't seem to sharp to me.

Mark.

[victoria]

What do you recommend for this type of photography?

[victoria]

I am looking at the original un-cropped version and it looks a whole lot sharper than this one. In any case...what would be the best lens to capture near perfect images?

[RCoulter]

100-400L,400m+ prime, or Sigma 50-500mm. Also, use a fasterr shutter speed for the jets.

[Mark_Mason]

100-400L,400m+ prime, or Sigma 50-500mm. Also, use a fasterr shutter speed for the jets.


I concur. I used a 100-400 IS L for this show and I was quite happy with the results.

http://m-mason.smugmug.com/photos/183190860-L.jpg

http://m-mason.smugmug.com/photos/183119940-L.jpg

http://m-mason.smugmug.com/photos/185382963-L.jpg

Of course I would like to have a 400 f2.8, but ...

[GeoffSobering]

I concur. I used a 100-400 IS L for this show and I was quite happy with the results.
The 100-400mm is probably the single most popular lens at airshows (at least among the folks who can't afford the "Hubble Lenses" from Canon's line-up).

Of course I would like to have a 400 f2.8, but ...
In my experience, the 500mm f/4 or the 300mm f/2.8 are both better suited to the rapid changes in position at airshows than the 400mm f/2.8. There are some more comments about the 400 here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=369941).

Some recent shots with various lenses (sorry for the size :oops:):

100-400mm:
http://moving-target-photos.com/2007Oshkosh/medium/IMG_3830-005.jpg

500mm f/4:
http://moving-target-photos.com/2007Oshkosh/medium/KP3B1028-015.jpg

300mm f/2.8 + 1.4TC:
http://moving-target-photos.com/2007Oshkosh/medium/PN0M2132-016.jpg

[victoria]

All I can say is wow....those are some powerful images! Awesome shots!

I have a few weeks, and I just sold several hundred images. B&H here I come!:lol:

[JWright]

What airshow, Victoria?

[victoria]

What airshow, Victoria?

It is the Amigo Airshow. These were taken last year and this year's show is the third week of September.

[Mark_Mason]

Happy shopping and shooting Victoria. I will be looking for your work on this board.

Outstanding images Geoff! Thanks for the Lens intel.

Mark.

[nippon24]

Geoff, great shots, I particularly like the composition of the first one.
Kenny

[sandpiper]

You can add me down as a fan of the 100-400L for airshow work:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/sandpiperphotos/5119.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/sandpiperphotos/1650.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/sandpiperphotos/2492.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/sandpiperphotos/7999.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c19/sandpiperphotos/7569.jpg


This has to be my favourite lens as it is so versatile, I not only use it for airshow work but animals, birds and so much more. Yes, I do hanker after some of the big, fast primes but they are for the future when I can afford one. For the money, there is nothing to touch the 100-400L and it can certainly do a great job.

[Click-it]

Very nice photos. I need to go to more air shows.

[PhotosGuy]

Your first shot was at:
# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 1/500 second = 0.00200 second
# Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 11/1 = F11.00
ISO Speed Ratings = 200

This is OK for non-prop planes, but you don't need the depth that f/11 gives you. You could have used ISO 100, 1/1000 sec, f/5.6 at that distance from the aircraft.

This would...
1. Help to freeze the action if your pans aren't all that good.
2. Cut down on dust on the sensor showing up in the sky.
3. Allow tighter crops when the aircraft are out of range of the 70-200mm lens.

For prop jobs, your job is much harder, & to get a nice blur you need to get the shutter speed below 1/200 sec usually. Lots of factors come into it:
The 2nd shot is cropped 25% with the 70-200 @ ISO 100, 1/160 sec, f/11.
"Betty's dream" B-25 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=346374)

You need to work with what you have, and yes, I'd have liked to have a 100-400 that day!

"Panning Shots" threads here:
drag racing tips (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=108521)

Airshow guys - prop freeze? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2175804)

[JWright]

I, too, use the 100-400 for my airshow work.

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/Military/228637

http://johnwright.smugmug.com/Aviation/249099

[PhotosGuy]

That solarized one looks like a poster! I like it.
http://johnwright.smugmug.com/gallery/2018390#104936593

[JWright]

That solarized one looks like a poster! I like it.
http://johnwright.smugmug.com/gallery/2018390#104936593

A result of being bored the day I was processing the images...