Which Lense For an Airshow?

First off all - Hi, I'm a new member and fairly new to the photography world. I've been reading the forums for the last couple of hours now so thought I would sign up and say hello

I've read on here that without a doubt the best lens to use at an airshow is the 100-400...however, looks like everyone has the same idea as that one is out of stock on the weekend of the Royal International Air Tattoo!

So bearing that in mind, what lens would you guys take instead?

Thanks in advance,
Jay

Hi and welcome to POTN Jay,

Sigma 120-400 OS or 150-500 OS should be good alternatives... They are also considerably cheaper than the Canon 100-400. They are the more traditional two-ring focus and zoom, too... while the Canon is push-pull type zoom (which some folks like, others don't).

Unless money is no object, then maybe a Sigma 120-300/2.8 OS with and without a 1.4X teleconverter. Might want a tripod... or at least a monopod... with that lens, though.

wow that was quick! Thanks for the prompt reply and advice.
I'll have a look to see if those lenses are available.

Also, does anyone in the UK know of any good websites that you can rent lenses from?
I'm currently using http://www.lensesforhi​re.co.uk

Jay

Have you considered a MF lens? I use a Nikkor 300 f4.5 for air shows. The focus is set to infinity and it is a matter of framing the shot at an appropriate exposure. This is an example with the lens from a show last year.

I would also consider a Nikkor 500 reflex mirror lens. It is small, light weight, sharp. Both lenses are inexpensive and will work on an EOS body.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/stover98074/6​038923545/

Air show images from a Sigma 150-500m OS lens.

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

I'm taking my Sigma pair of 120-400 OS for my 60D and my 150-500 OS for my 5D3 when I go to the Waddington airshow at the end of the month. I went there last year with a Tamron 28-300 VC which was long enough for most of the planes, but I borrowed a Canon 100-400 L from a guy there and the difference was amazing.

cookiejay wrote in post #14563989
First off all - Hi, I'm a new member and fairly new to the photography world. I've been reading the forums for the last couple of hours now so thought I would sign up and say hello

I've read on here that without a doubt the best lens to use at an airshow is the 100-400...however, looks like everyone has the same idea as that one is out of stock on the weekend of the Royal International Air Tattoo!

So bearing that in mind, what lens would you guys take instead?

Thanks in advance,
Jay

I would bring the Canon 55-250IS - only ₤100

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

Or you could try a 300 f/4L or the 400 f/5.6L as prime options too.

Thanks for that guys, will look in to which of these lenses I can get and how expensive they are.
Some great photos there, I've mainly done portraits up til now so really looking forward to the air show this year!

Try for a lens with IS if you can. Taking shots of "prop planes" at high-shutter speeds doesn't look nice, you want a low enough shutter speed to show some movement of the prop(with prop frozen, it looks like the plane is gonna fall out of the sky ). For instance, a 400 non-IS would need a s/s of over 1/400 and 1/640 on crop to eliminate hand shake, but a s/s of 1/200 or under provides better prop action. 1/200 with a 400mm on crop would be very hard to keep still, but with IS, it's not a problem.

Therefore, if you were to consider the EF300/4L IS or EF400/5.6L, the 300 with a 1.4x TC would be the better choice in this situation.. for the IS, and possibility of having 300/4 and 420/5.6.. both with IS and AF.

Jay,

Who are you looking at hiring from? Lenses For Hire have some decent rates and a good reputation. Failing that Fixation and calumet Photo also hire the 100-400.

In the FRIAT enclosure, I have a photo from last year showing the majority of photographers all using the 100-400.

Ben

BenMont wrote in post #14567176
Jay,

Who are you looking at hiring from? Lenses For Hire have some decent rates and a good reputation. Failing that Fixation and calumet Photo also hire the 100-400.

In the FRIAT enclosure, I have a photo from last year showing the majority of photographers all using the 100-400.

Ben

Hi Ben,
I've been looking at hiring off lensesforhire as there the only ones I know of that don't charge a deposit... however they don't have any 100-400 available that weekend (most likely due to the airshow).
I'm a little stumped now as to what to get, as all the photo's taken at these events are using 100-400

Off topic: I used to live just down the road from yourself in Nottingham, all my first photo's were taken at EMA down at each ends of the runway

I like my 100-400mm, best all around lens for airshows. I used 70-200 before, too short on a full frame camera:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/douglasliu/7262​718960/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/douglasliu/7262​725216/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/douglasliu/7262​728136/

Wow love the pics! This is the quality of picture I was hoping to achieve.
How about a 28-300mm lens?

cookiejay wrote in post #14567375
Wow love the pics! This is the quality of picture I was hoping to achieve.
How about a 28-300mm lens?

Sorry, I don't have any experience with the 28-300. I used the 70-200 f4 L IS and the 70-200 f2.8 L IS II before I bought the 100-400. I guess the 28-300mm should be long enough on a cropped camera for most occasions. I don't know how fast it would focus though. Anyway, good luck with the show and come back to post some pictures here: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=405758

Folks there are top notch and helpful.