R/C EDF Jets / new camera test

Next weekend I have a 2 day EDF (electric ducted fan) event to shoot at the local field and those things can be a challenge to keep in the viewfinder because the majority of them are on the small side. Since both Canon & Nikon had brought out new bodies with what sounds like amazing AF systems I decided it "might" be time for an upgrade but after doing a lot of research I decided a 1D4 was a better fit for my needs & on Friday I bought an as new low count 1D4 for what seems to be the going rate. Today I took it over to the field along with my recently bought (used) 28-300 L IS to see how the pair might work out & I'm a happy guy. Still working on which metering mode to use but otherwise my first test looks promising. Next test will be with the 35-350 L on it. (shutter speeds are much lower than I usually use for the jets so I'm quite happy with the help the IS gives me).

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These things are tough to shoot. No EXIF, & I'm wondering if you can tweak a bit more sharpness out of them?

very well done, sure looks like that combo body/lens worked for this

Frank I think the downsizing took away a bit of the crispness. The full sized images look pretty sharp at 100% although a higher shutter speed would have been even sharper. The little Sniper shot was at 1/500 from about 75 yards. The other 2 were at 1/400 which is about 1/2 of what I normally use as the minimum speed on the jets.
First photo is from about 40 feet, ISO 200, 1/400, 100 mm, f5.0
Second one is from about 50 yards, ISO 400, 1/400, 285 mm, f13.0
Last one from maybe 75-80 yards ISO 200, 1/500, 285 mm, f10.0

Camera is in Tv mode and I quickly learned that it's set so that the control dials are turning in the opposite way my other bodies are set for. Whenever I tried adding EC I was removing it so I've got to either reverse my other bodies to what's considered the norm or reverse this one to my way of shooting.
For now I'm concentrating on reading the manual because there are a lot of differences between the 1D4 & my 1D2n & 1Ds2 and there's going to be a learning curve but I think that after about 2 months of research I've bought the right body (vs 5D3 or Nikon D800) for my specific use. I came close to buying a D800 but there just aren't any lenses with a Nikon mount that meet my needs.

Rick it does seem to be an excellent match but until I try the 35-350 L (more reach is good for R/C as long as you can go a bit wide too when working the flight line). I'll know soon because the next weekend after the EDF event is an IMAC event with really big aerobatic planes. Unfortunately the patterns are done way up & way off from the flight line so the majority of photo ops are just the take offs & landings.

Yes, these are very tough to shoot as small and they don't hang around, do they. You did very, very well I'd say.

Very well done! I really like #2. Having done a little of this (shooting RC models in flight) I will add my praise. I find the focusing of small objects off in the near distance to be a real challenge as is holding that focus as the plane moves toward you at 80 - 120 mph and the panning shots - that twisting of the body 180 degrees while shooting wears on you!! LOL!!

Very well done! Hope we'll be treated to some of the shots yet to come(?) hopefully.

Hillbille

Thanks and yes I'll be sharing photos from both upcoming events along with the links to the albums. It's volunteer work for all the local clubs & a fun time until the editing starts. I'm going to try to limit the number of shots per day this year but then again each year we get more pilots and part of that is my photos. The clubs use my albums to tease people from other regions to make the trip & join in on the fun. It seems to help at getting the sponsors to donate more / better door prizes too. I'll have an event in mid Aug that has really grown & as of last year it was the largest Giant Scale event held in Canada & this year they are really promoting it because it's the 25th Anniversary. Sure hope the weather is good because it has the flight line placed so that the sun is behind us almost all day. The local field is similar but in mid summer the sun shines right down the runway late in the afternoon.