Airshow Shooting Tips

[socalibordr]

Hey Y'all!!

as i said in another thread, i am renting a 70 - 200mm f2.8 L IS lens with 1.4x extender by canon this weekend to take to a huge airshow in san diego. it comes with a polarizer and a UV filter.

my question is if you have any tips on shooting with it like which filter to use (if any), whether to use Av, Tv mode (or other), is the 9 point AF ok or do i change something there?... and anything else you might want to suggest to someone who is still learning and has never tried shooting moving aircraft.

i have recently been playing around with the aperture priority mode shooting fall colors with the lens i own (canon 24 - 85 USM)

i'll be sure to post what i get after the show!!!


thanks and best regards,

-blake

[Dew]

I tend to use centre point focus for single planes (multi-point for formations).
I use AV mode for jets above horizon (i.e. just sky in background) and set aperture to give around 500th/640th or so depending on lighting (aim to be around f/5.6-f/8.0 depending on light for DOF).
Tv mode for props and jets take-off/landing/low-pass panning shots (usually 160th-200th or as low as 20th depending how brave you feel / panning technique).
Flick between the 2 modes depending what's coming.
Use IS mode 2, AI Servo mode & lowest ISO possible (I don't use a filter).
Good luck, enjoy the show & post your best!

(The above information is not necesarily the best, but it's what I use & hope it helps!)

Click for larger....


1/640th @ f/8.0


1/160th @ f/14


1/20th @ f/2.8 (ISO1600 - yes it was very dark )

[Steve Parr]

I'll be out at the Miramar Air Show, as well, and will try some of those tips.

Thanks!

Steve

[KurtKuhn]

I gave it my best shot at my 1st air show this summer. Learned a lot.

Used an XT, 70-200 f/4. It was hazy, so I wish I had a filter.

Learned that 1/800 sec. is way too fast for propellers; it virtually stops propellers and just doesn't look as good as blurred propellers. See Dew's post above.




Lesson learned on panning: Panning with the F-18 from left to right resulted in the other F-18, flying right to left, turning out blurry. Exposure was 1/1000 sec. I would like to try the same panning technique with an even faster shutter.


Don't get me wrong, I am pleased with they way some turned out.


BTW, Dew, I really like your shots.

Hope this helps.

-KK

[Dew]

Thanks Kurt! You got a nice angle on Fat Albert there!

[Jon]

Originally Posted by KurtKuhn

Lesson learned on panning: Panning with the F-18 from left to right resulted in the other F-18, flying right to left, turning out blurry. Exposure was 1/1000 sec. I would like to try the same panning technique with an even faster shutter.

Try an even slower shutter speed - the blur on the opposing plane on crossover really gives the message of speed. I have one from back in '76 when they were using the A-4 (much better geometry for close formation work) where lead's nice and crisp and the opposing solo's blurred out from about 5-6 ft travel during the exposure.

[m3elmo]

this is with a 70-200 on a 20D. You'll have tons of sunlight, so bump the f-stop down to around F10 or so and leave it in AV mode. You'll have more than enough shutter. Honestly though, even with the 1.4x converter, you might not be long enough to take some good shots.

I use centre point focus on all my shots. Shoot in raw b/c you can adjust later.

If you're renting a lens, try to see if you can get something in the 400mm range with IS

[Kickstart]

Hi

Some nice shots there.

Only tried airshow shots once but I found that the camera tended to underexpose the shots. Check the pictures carefully after you shoot them and be prepared to play with the exposure compensation.

All the best

Keith

[BrianEE93]

Originally Posted by Kickstart

Hi

Some nice shots there.

Only tried airshow shots once but I found that the camera tended to underexpose the shots. Check the pictures carefully after you shoot them and be prepared to play with the exposure compensation.

All the best

Keith

The underexposure is what I found too. The sky is much brighter than the planes depending on the direction you are shooting. Even with partial metering I had to set exposure comp to +1 or more.

[loebas]

Maybe the attached link can help you
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=103268


As you are renting the lens, if would rent a longer lens
Be there in time and find an nice spot (sun in back for long time.)
Read the programm carefully
I use to shoot in AV mode f8.0 till f16
Shutterspeed is important and to be save use Iso 200 (sunny) or 400.
Make some photo's of the sky/clouds and check the histogram.
You can use a filter but is is not necessary.
As you have an IS lens put the Is mode on 2.
Use the AF center point.
Keep both eyes open and keep checking the sky/sound
Keep reading the histogram

Enjoy the show!

[GWilliams]

bump the f-stop down to around F10 or so.........I use centre point focus on all my shots.

I use to shoot in AV mode f8.0 till f16
Use the AF center point.

Forgive me if i'm missing something here but I thought you couldn't use AF at these small apertures. Or is the center AF point referring to the occasions when your aperture is larger than f/5.6 ??

[KurtKuhn]

Originally Posted by Jon

Try an even slower shutter speed - the blur on the opposing plane on crossover really gives the message of speed. I have one from back in '76 when they were using the A-4 (much better geometry for close formation work) where lead's nice and crisp and the opposing solo's blurred out from about 5-6 ft travel during the exposure.

Jon-

Great idea. I agree...that would be dramatic.

Just wish I knew when I'd have the next opportunity to try it out.

-KK

[Kent2]

I have been to many of the Miramar airshows and will be there tomorrow with my dad and son.
I have yet to decide if I am to bring the 10d with just the 50 or my Mk2 with the 70-200.
I'll have a desert camo boonie hat and camel bak with a POTN strap if I bring the Mk2.

Here are some Miramar 2004 shots:
http://www.palomarpics.net/PhotoShop...2004/index.htm


Kent

[Dew]

Originally Posted by GWilliams

Forgive me if i'm missing something here but I thought you couldn't use AF at these small apertures. Or is the center AF point referring to the occasions when your aperture is larger than f/5.6 ??

You only lose AF if your maximum aperture is smaller than f/5.6 (e.g. when using a 2x conv with an f/4 lens). The camera focuses with the aperture wide open, and closes down for the shot.

Originally Posted by KurtKuhn

Great idea. I agree...that would be dramatic.

got one here! (not a great photo but you get the principle!)

[Andy D]

I always use a monopod with my 100-400 at airshows, slow the shutter speed right down for props (as low as you dare!). These were taken at Duxford over the last 12 months. The "Reds" using my 10D, "Frankie" with my 20D.