My first Airshow - advice required please

[snatcher]

Just after some general tips on shooting at airshows :) I have got into photography relatively late in life and am enjoying it tremendously. We intend going over to Sunderland Airshow on Saturday (26th July) and I am after some tips on photographing the various aircraft.

My camera is a 400D with a Sigma 18-200 lens and I have borrowed a monopod for the occasion. The settings I was thinking of starting off with were Tv mode with an ISO of 800. Shutter speed 1/500 to 1/1000 for the jets and about //150 for the slower display biplanes. Also thinking of upping the stop +1 to compensate for the light background. Am I way off the mark with these settings ? All advice gladly taken on board.

Thanks

John

[silvrr]

No need for the monopod. It will only get in the way.

For Jets Use ~1/1000 in TV and adjust ISO to get an acceptable aperture.

For props Use ~1/250 in TV and adjust ISO to get an acceptable aperture.

[PhotosGuy]

I'm moving this to T Talk.

Also thinking of upping the stop +1 to compensate for the dark background. Only you can decide, but what "Dark background"? Here we have mostly light gray skies & I'm at +2 EC when I shoot Tv, which isn't all that often. Mostly I shoot on M. For props Use ~1/250 in TV and adjust ISO to get an acceptable aperture. That may be a tad too fast.
Airshow guys - prop freeze? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=229542)

[snatcher]

I'm moving this to T Talk.

Only you can decide, but what "Dark background"? Here we have mostly light gray skies & I'm at +2 EC when I shoot Tv, which isn't all that often. Mostly I shoot on M. That may be a tad too fast.
Airshow guys - prop freeze? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=229542)

OOPS big typing error :oops: put in "light background" instead !!!! Thanks for the replies so far team. Will just have to experiment on the day. Dispense with the monoped as well ? Lets hope I get a few decent shots to post up then :rolleyes:

John

[snappa]

A question if I may ? Why use Tv on jets ?

[snatcher]

A question if I may ? Why use Tv on jets ?

I am not well versed enough in the subject to answer that question,wish I was :rolleyes: What setting would you opt for?? More than willing to try a few different settings on the day :)

John

[PhotosGuy]

Why use Tv on jets ? It allows you to set the minimum shutter speed you might want. I set Tv at 1/125 - 1/160 for prop jobs with a +2X EC just in case I need it in a hurry. Usually all my settings are done in M.
Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

Why?
Post #47 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5191658&postcount=47)

[GSH]

Just after some general tips on shooting at airshows :) I have got into photography relatively late in life and am enjoying it tremendously. We intend going over to Sunderland Airshow on Saturday (26th July) and I am after some tips on photographing the various aircraft.

My camera is a 400D with a Sigma 18-200 lens and I have borrowed a monopod for the occasion. The settings I was thinking of starting off with were Tv mode with an ISO of 800. Shutter speed 1/500 to 1/1000 for the jets and about //150 for the slower display biplanes. Also thinking of upping the stop +1 to compensate for the light background. Am I way off the mark with these settings ? All advice gladly taken on board.


Your main problem on the sea front will be reach, or rather the lack of it. The display line at Sunderland is several hundred metres out so for the fast jets you'll need to do some cropping. Bigger stuff, like the Vulcan should be easier and the Helicopters tend to come in a bit closer. If we get a low tide i would suggest getting down on the beach somewhere.

Stick with TV and set your ISO to suit. I'd suggest sticking to f8 or so as not only will that be the "sweet spot" for most lenses, it will also minimise any dust spots should your sensor have any....assuming we get some blue sky :)

Latest info on XH558 is that she's unservicable today (Friday) but should be OK for tomorrow.

If you see a big bloke with a 1DMK2N (or 50D) with a Sigma 120-300 or 500 it'll probably be me.

[kipper]

If you see a big bloke with a 1DMK2N (or 50D) with a Sigma 120-300 or 500 it'll probably be me.[/quote]

Or me if I have a quiet night on call;). The tides are good for the air show low at 11:09 and high @ 17:08. I had a trip down this afternoon and watched the F16 and various helos practicing. Had my ankle biter with me so no photos. Forcast is best on Saturday. Hope the Vulcan makes it. I remember seeing the Vulcan land at Sunderland airport, Nissan car factory now, many moons ago.

[GSH]

Hope the Vulcan makes it.

Cottesmore & Lowestoft were cancelled today. The Vulcan needed a damaged landing gear door bracket changing. One has been sourced (from XM655 @ Wellesbourne) and fitted.

All they need to do is sort the paperwork in the morning and she's good to go.

Saturday's schedule for XH558...

July 25th - Departs RAF Brize Norton 15:00
July 25th - Sunderland Airshow (display 16:00)
July 25th - East Fortune Airshow (display 16:30)
July 25th - Carlisle Airport (flypast 16:50)
July 25th - Kirkbride Airfield (flypast 16:55)
July 25th - Windermere Airshow (display 17:05)
July 25th - Returns to RAF Brize Norton 18:00'

As long as it gets off the ground ok then Sunderland is 1st up :)