First Airshow equipment question

[Littlejon Dsgn]

I am very excited that I get to take the family to the air show this summer, first time back since I was a kid. Its the Oregon International Air Show, and will have the following performers:

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration Squadron - F-16 Jets
U.S. Marine Corp AV-8B Harrier II Demonstration Team
U.S. Army Golden Knight Parachute Team
Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Fly By
U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Fly By
Alaska Airline Fly ByKC-135 Fly By
Bill Braack Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Car
Melissa Pemberton Aerobatics and Edge 540 with Wingsuit Skydiving
Otto The Helicopter
John Klatt Air Shows - Staudacher S-300D
Air National Guard Aerobatics Team And Max Adrenaline
Gary Rower Vintage Air Shows In The Stearman
Lucas Oil Air Shows with Mike Wiskus in the Pitts S-1-11BSS
Eddie Andreini Air Shows In The P-51
Hammerhead Aerobatics with Renny Price in the Sukhoi 29
Classic Aviation Warbirds With Roger Kelsay
Sportcopter II Gyroplane
Magneto Team - EAA
Oregon Model Aerobatic Team

Currently I have a T3 (sadly that’s not changing anytime soon), 18-55mm and the 55-250mm. I will be using the 18-55 for the static planes but I am not so sure the 55-250 will be enough reach. We have reserved seats along the flight line (right next to the photography pit that I could have got a ticket into figured with my T3 I did not belong in there lol).

(answered this on my own it will not work )Guess my question is if I rent a teleconverter will it work ok on the 55-250 to get a little more reach. Was thinking either the Tamron 1.4X or the Canon EF 1.4 II or the EF 1.4 III. Will these even work with that lens?

What are your recommendations for a rental lens, I am just looking for some fun shots for the family photo album and maybe a screen saver on my computer.

[joeblack2022]

The Canon teleconverters only work with specific telephoto lenses so that won't work - I'm sure the air photogs will chime in but if you're going to rent you might as well rent a long lens.

[Littlejon Dsgn]

Thank you I went and did some more reading and realized that the Teleconverters will not work. So next up what should I rent?

[FlyingPhotog]

100-400mm would give you the most flexibility. Better reach at 400mm vs 250mm but you still have the "Oops Factor" where you can re-frame on the fly for the best possible composition.

[joeblack2022]

Have a look here, many of your questions will be answered:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?t=1180676

[joeblack2022]

Originally Posted by FlyingPhotog

100-400mm would give you the most flexibility. Better reach at 400mm vs 250mm but you still have the "Oops Factor" where you can re-frame on the fly for the best possible composition.

Thanks Jay, I had the 100-400mm in mind but never having shot airshows it would have been unqualified advice...

[Littlejon Dsgn]

Originally Posted by FlyingPhotog

100-400mm would give you the most flexibility. Better reach at 400mm vs 250mm but you still have the "Oops Factor" where you can re-frame on the fly for the best possible composition.

Ok I had that one in mind as well, and that will mount to the T3? I need to see what shipping is but at $45 for 3 days it gives me a good chance to try it out and to put a white lens on my body

[Littlejon Dsgn]

Jay I see alot of the images you posted on that linked thread were taken well under the 250mm range, has me second guessing if I realy need to rent something or just be happy with what I have.

[FlyingPhotog]

Originally Posted by Littlejon Dsgn

Jay I see alot of the images you posted on that linked thread were taken well under the 250mm range, has me second guessing if I realy need to rent something or just be happy with what I have.

The important question is: How much data are you willing to throw away (via cropping) to fill the frame? If your goal is to simply capture stuff that won't go anywhere but the web at 72dpi, then you can get away with considerable cropping.

Notice that the first two I posted in that other link are formations (and they're also cropped somewhat) while I shot the others at EAA AirVenture. Oshkosh is, despite the scope of the event, a surprisingly intimate airshow environment where the crowd is somewhat closer to the action than at other large airshows held at military bases or commercial airports.

[Littlejon Dsgn]

Originally Posted by FlyingPhotog

The important question is: How much data are you willing to throw away (via cropping) to fill the frame? If your goal is to simply capture stuff that won't go anywhere but the web at 72dpi, then you can get away with considerable cropping.

Notice that the first two I posted in that other link are formations (and they're also cropped somewhat) while I shot the others at EAA AirVenture. Oshkosh is, despite the scope of the event, a surprisingly intimate airshow environment where the crowd is somewhat closer to the action than at other large airshows held at military bases or commercial airports.

I understand, guess I will have to run the rental by the boss to see if I will be sleeping on the couch if I rent it Talked with my dad and he said that in the years past when we went when I was a kid, the show was pretty close, maybe 150 yards away for a lot of it. Well since a rental is the only rout I will run it bast the boss and see if its a go or no go lol. I would love to have some shots I could frame on the wall at home, but thats high hopes

[seaninsa]

100-400 if you are going to rent a lens. This weekend I used my 300mm and my 70-200mm with a 1.4x on it.

[jwol]

I'd vote 100-400 too. It was the first lens I purchased. Take it out and get a feel for it a day or two before the show. If you want a few keepers take alot of shots.

Man I'd love to be 150 yards from the action. You can't get that close anymore. Most of the flying will be about 1/4 mile from the crowd line. Non-manuvering passes maybe flown 500ft. from the crowd line.

Don't forget the sunscreen and hearing protection, especially for the little ones.

[Littlejon Dsgn]

Got the ear protection covered from when we go to the dirt oval stock car races I have no problem taking lots of pictures (415 during an hour long show in Hawaii little overboard)

Got the 100-400 bookmarked just gotta get the ok lol.

[watt100]

Originally Posted by Littlejon Dsgn

I am very excited that I get to take the family to the air show this summer, first time back since I was a kid. Its the Oregon International Air Show, and will have the following performers:

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration Squadron - F-16 Jets
U.S. Marine Corp AV-8B Harrier II Demonstration Team
U.S. Army Golden Knight Parachute Team
Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Fly By
U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Fly By
Alaska Airline Fly ByKC-135 Fly By
Bill Braack Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Car
Melissa Pemberton Aerobatics and Edge 540 with Wingsuit Skydiving
Otto The Helicopter
John Klatt Air Shows - Staudacher S-300D
Air National Guard Aerobatics Team And Max Adrenaline
Gary Rower Vintage Air Shows In The Stearman
Lucas Oil Air Shows with Mike Wiskus in the Pitts S-1-11BSS
Eddie Andreini Air Shows In The P-51
Hammerhead Aerobatics with Renny Price in the Sukhoi 29
Classic Aviation Warbirds With Roger Kelsay
Sportcopter II Gyroplane
Magneto Team - EAA
Oregon Model Aerobatic Team

Currently I have a T3 (sadly that’s not changing anytime soon), 18-55mm and the 55-250mm. I will be using the 18-55 for the static planes but I am not so sure the 55-250 will be enough reach. We have reserved seats along the flight line (right next to the photography pit that I could have got a ticket into figured with my T3 I did not belong in there lol).

(answered this on my own it will not work )Guess my question is if I rent a teleconverter will it work ok on the 55-250 to get a little more reach. Was thinking either the Tamron 1.4X or the Canon EF 1.4 II or the EF 1.4 III. Will these even work with that lens?

What are your recommendations for a rental lens, I am just looking for some fun shots for the family photo album and maybe a screen saver on my computer.

forget the teleconverter, the 55-250IS works great for air shows

XSi (450D)
Canon 55-250IS)
250mm
(cropped)

[seaninsa]

That is a nice and tight formation for the Heritage Flight.