Blurred Images Airshow

I don't have any experience with these kind of shots, so I went looking for someone who does and came across this thread https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1427997 started by chuckie365 (Scapeshots). Most at 500mm or 500mm+1.4; shutter speeds from 1/1250 down to 1/30 (sharp with prop blur). Seems to be a lot of variations that will get greats photos so I expect that if you keep at it you'll find the best ones for your camera/lens combo.

This is the 400 plus page thread;
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=405758

I think as Jake & others have mentioned, you're always going to have some "misses" with that shutterspeed and 600mm, even with image stabilisation (not sure how good the Tamron equivalent is) you'll have fun even on a static subject. Might be worth trying a monopod, although at an airshow you'll often find space a problem and it isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea swinging a camera & long lens around on a monopod anyway.

The other thing to consider is wether the focus point was actually on target during the shot - from memory you can open the full image in DPP or Zoombrowser to see where the focus points of the shot are in relation to the target which may be a good indicator of wether there is a problem there also.

Totally agree with trying to get prop-aircraft with blurred props if you can, I've certainly had some dismal failures and I think it takes a lot of practice. Must say that some of the Transportation section shooters are masters at this... All I can add is keep trying!

I bought the Tamron 150-600 last year and used it at the Wings Over Camarillo Air Show with my 1D4. I've been shooting Warbirds for about 6 yrs and consider myself reasonably good at panning. I've shot with the Canon 300 f2.8 IS II, 500 f4 IS II, and 200-400. Although others can pan better, I can shoot at 1/160s (@ 420mm and 560mm) and bring home a bucket full of keepers.

But...when I shot prop planes with my Tamron 150-600, my keeper rate was dreadful. I'd view the images on the LCD and saw most had a great amount of motion blur. VC was on. I increased the shutter speed but the results were still pretty bad. I turned off VC and got slightly better results.

If you check around the net you'll see other prop-plane shooters using the Tammy with similar complaints. One is a member here (BigAl, I believe).
The Tammy does not have mode 2 IS (for panning) like our Canon lenses. Some one, I can't remember where (maybe here or at dpr) said they contacted
Tamron tech support about poor panning results. Tech rep told them not to use VC when panning.

Now in defense of the Tamron 150-600 there is a flickr member who gets great results panning at slow shutter speeds with his Tammy. My hat's off to him.
But I could not get it to work, so I ebayed it. For static shots the Tammy's IQ was great. But I bought it for air shows, so I had to give it up.

Props are definitely a different bag when shooting, i usually start around 1/125 and see how far I can go down. It definitely takes a LOT of practice, you want one smooth, fluid motion from side to side. I try to stay perfectly still and only move at the waist. after shooting the other day I found a pretty good keeper rate, I'd say 1 out of 7ish...

here are some of the samples:

1DX, 1/60, 280mm (70-200 2.8 L II with 1.4TC)

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nWAb​rT

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/rHEf​yS

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/sHPK​eT

We do need to remember (and I forgot this last time I posted to this thread)
that the Tamron DOES NOT have a panning mode for IS. It could play a part. At the very least, I can say that panning mode on a Canon will certainly aid in a slow shutter panning shot.

seaninsa wrote in post #17550207
Why would i shoot a prop plane so fast? When shooting props if you shoot that fast you are going to have still props and looks horrible. With props you want to be anywhere between 1/160th to maybe 1/250th of a second. Thousands of a sec I am going to have "Frozen" props and the pics are going to be horrible.

Seaninsa, you've certainly given me something to think about especially after seeing The Great shots taken by TheBigDog. Yes you are both right by using a slower shutter speed the aircraft in the images DO appear to be in motion unlike all my images with the props frozen.

This is why I enjoy this forum so much to learn and take on different photography styles. Next month in my home town is the Weston Air Festival

https://westonairfesti​val.wordpress.com

I will put into practice the opposite to what I've been doing in the past and practice on my limited panning skills. If you can offer me some other tips other than shooting at 1/50s - 1/250s that would be very much appreciated. If I get at least a few good shots I will post them to this thread.

Thank You.

Check out pics from on my website:

http://www.seansydnorp​hotography.com/p453556​606

http://www.seansydnorp​hotography.com/p360722​518

Glad you were able to find good advice here. I would try y our shutter at 1/200th. Also, I like to use TV mode. With TV you just adjust the shutter and the camera will adjust the f-stop.

Sean

seaninsa wrote in post #17550159
Even though I have a 1DX I rented the lens to get the reach of the 600mm. Maybe next year I will just rent the 200-400.

I rented the 200-400 for the Apple Valley air show last year. I got it from Samy's Camera.
Its image stabilization is effective up to four shutter speed steps, so that will help you.

At 8 lbs it's a hefty lens. I shot all day hand held and my arms got tired about half way through the show.
But not really that big of a deal. Excellent IQ even with the tc engaged, and zoom is a major benefit.

Here's a few from the lens. Hit "L" or click on the image for a larger view.

https://www.flickr.com …05/sets/7215765​2863727941

Very nice..renting that lens when I go to Africa. Maybe one day I will be able to afford it .

1 - the Tamron VC system on that lens doesn't always do well with panning and it's pretty darn tough to shoot panning shots to begin with at that focal length. It's probably the biggest reason I switched from the Tamron, which I thought was optically wonderful to the Sigma Contemporary.

I think 600mm is overkill at an airshow anyway unless you're trying to shoot from further back. I usually bring my 150-600, but end up shooting with my 70-300 anyway. For the prop planes, it's way easier to shoot the shutter speeds and pans necessary with the shorter focal length - I'm on a 7D and usually end up at ~300 equivalent FL

2 - there's always a bit of atmospheric distortion, especially with the heat near the radial engines of the warbirds. You just have to take a lot of shots and see which ones turn out

3 - diffraction could be playing a role here, but I doubt it - it's probably mostly motion blur and heat distortion. I'll post up some warbirds from Chino on Sunday and Lancaster in March when I get a chance as well

seaninsa wrote in post #17550207
Why would i shoot a prop plane so fast? When shooting props if you shoot that fast you are going to have still props and looks horrible. With props you want to be anywhere between 1/160th to maybe 1/250th of a second. Thousands of a sec I am going to have "Frozen" props and the pics are going to be horrible.

I just thought I would try the 150-600 and see how I would like it. I will not be using that lens again lol. I got some good ones at 600mm I think.

Of the one image posted earlier, can I see the entire frame before cropping in on the plane? I think you cropped to much on the computer

And this is the very reason I sold my 150-600 Tamron as is just did not work with VC turned on and panning with shutter speeds below 1/500 sec.

I use Mode 2 or even better Mode 3 on the Canon 100-400 IS II and life is sweet!!

graham121 wrote in post #17595275
And this is the very reason I sold my 150-600 Tamron as is just did not work with VC turned on and panning with shutter speeds below 1/500 sec.

I use Mode 2 or even better Mode 3 on the Canon 100-400 IS II and life is sweet!!

Like you I also sold my Tamron for the same reason.

I rented the 100-400 II for use at the POF air show. Man, was I impressed! IQ was very near to my 300 f2.8 IS II.
My keeper rate went up too, I believe due to its lighter weight. The lens did hunt from time to time, but not enough
to be a show-stopper. The 100-400 II is a winner!