Air show with what I have

[zerovision]

Always been a big air show fan, but this will be my first time attending one with two good DSLRs. I have no plans to get additional equipment via purchase or rental, so I am asking for suggestions on what I do have.

1D Mark III
5D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Macro
Canon 7-200mm f/2.8 non-IS
Canon 85mm f/1.2

third party 2.0x extender.

Will the 24 on my 5D be wide enough for planes on the ground and still keep the public out of the pictures?

What about the Macro? Any suggestions on using this feature?

My 2x extender forces me to use manual focus with my 70-200 so I am concerned about using it and not getting the correct focus as the plane is flying by.

I don't see any use for the 85 f/1.2, but if anyone knows what I could shoot with it, I may take it along, otherwise I would probably put the 24-70 on the 5D and the 70-200 on the Mark III.

Does anyone use flash for the planes on the ground?

Filters? The runway runs N&S and I am sure the public will be on the east side facing west. The Thunderbirds will probably fly around 4-4:30pm so I may be shooting into the sun for their performance. I have ND and CP and UV filters, but not for my 24-70 so I may spend some money on some more filters if everyone feels they would help a lot.

[Jon]

24-70 on the 5D may be just about wide enough on the ground most of the time; I've been driven to a 15-30 at times when the guard ropes were too close to the aircraft.

Most of the time you won't be able to get close enough to the aircraft to use the 24-70 in macro mode. If you do, radial engines can have some nice details.

The 70-200 2.8 should AF on either of your cameras with a 2x TC on. Certainly the 1D3 should cope fine; that'll even manage f/8 using just the center spot. If the TC stops that, there may be something wrong with the TC.

I wouldn't bother with the 85 either. Use the space it'd take up for a spare water bottle.

On the ground - depends on the lighting, but I practically never do.

Filters - I'm likely to have polarizing filters on as much to keep the shutter speed and aperture down for catching prop blur as for anything else. Sounds like if you're going to be facing west a polarizer won't be much use on the sky except for low passes during the first part of the show.

[In2Photos]

The 24 is plenty wide enough on your 5D as long as there is some room between planes (which there should be). But there will be people in your shots no matter what. ;)

The 70-200 isn't quite long enough, but I wouldn't use the 2x on it. Instead either pick up a 1.4xTC or rent a longer lens. I used a 500mm at NAS Oceana a few weeks ago and is was still short sometimes. Last year I did get some good shots with my 70-200 and 1.4.

I see no need to use the Macro or 85 unless you just want to play around.

I did use my flash to illuminate some shaded areas of planes and it did rather well.

I don't use filters but they could come in handy.

[kona77]

Use the 70-200 and get as close to the action as you can. Use your 24-70 for ground shots with a flash for some fill. Use your filter.
I have tried the 1.4 extender with manual focus and was not very successful. I am sure with practice I can do better but I was at F/8 and those planes move fast when you are trying to focus. I would use the extender for planes that are taxing or run ups.

Use your macro for the close ups. Get the details that most overlook. Planes don't always have to me moving to look impressive.

Here's an example for you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v180/helograd/Blue%20Angels/web-IMG_9738copy.jpg

[PhotosGuy]

so I am asking for suggestions on what I do have.
&
The 70-200 isn't quite long enough, but I wouldn't use the 2x on it. Instead either pick up a 1.4xTC or rent a longer lens. I can't speak for your third party 2X TC, but the 2X MkII Canon is pretty good if you use effective f/10:
POTN at Waterford Hills - Open Wheel Club Racing. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=543685)

I wouldn't bother with a UV filter. A CP would be nice if you have blue skies with clouds, but I don't use one.
Be sure to use AI Focus.

Don't forget to slow down the shutter speed for the prop jobs:
Airshow guys - prop freeze? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=229542)

[FlyingPhotog]

May I respectfully suggest you not use a CP for flying acts...you'll get very different filter effects (and therefore very different looking sky) depending upon how many degrees off 90 you are relative to the position of the sun.

Straight ND would be better if you really, really need to cut the light that much.

[PhotosGuy]

suggest you not use a CP for flying acts...you'll get very different filter effects (and therefore very different looking sky) depending upon how many degrees off 90 you are relative to the position of the sun. Good point. As I said, I don't use one, but if you practice with one & know what to expect, I don't see a problem.

Here's the effect that FlyingPhotog is referencing:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/PolarizedPano_2.jpg?t=1223469164