Which Lens Should I Take? Landing Airplanes

I'm heading over to the In n Out Burger next to LAX. I've heard it's a great spot to photograph landing planes. Question I'm not certain about: Which lens should I take? My 2 options are:

Canon 400mm F.5.6L
Canon 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II

The body I have is the 7D Mark II

Never shot landing planes before which is the reason for the question. I understand that those planes are pretty low once they're passing over In n Out.

Thank You.

This Might be a better question for the transportation section.

LOL. No wonder I got no responses. Didn't even realize it was in the "Sports" section. Oh well.

Bogino wrote in post #18617056
LOL. No wonder I got no responses. Didn't even realize it was in the "Sports" section. Oh well.

Reported to the Mod’s. You should get some quality responses once this gets to the right Forum.

400 will likely be too long so take the zoom. If they are jets use a high shutter speed if the background is sky but a lower one when there's a background you can blur with a smooth pan as you shoot. If any have props stay below 1/250 for prop blur because engine speeds will be reduced for landings.

'It depends!' upon what you MEAN by a 'landing jet' photo, compounded by just how far you are from the airplanes! Are you trying to achieve this...

https://www.google.com …=1.1#imgrc=D6Sm​PkCPeMaQ0M: or are you trying to acheive this...

https://www.google.com …=1.1#imgrc=J5Hb​PLPLmO_WiM:

?

400mm on APS-C body sees 400' horizontal at 1 mile. 200mm on APS-C body sees 260' at 1/3 mile

70-200 would be my first choice.

This is one of those questions that really needs local knowledge. I would take the zoom, since on the whole modern airliners are pretty big. If the location allows you to get on the runway centerline just outside the airport, and close to the threshold, then you might even want something like a 17-40 or even a fisheye.

Alan

I would "take" both, and then use the one that works best for the location and your shooting style. I'd probably walk out the door with the 400mm mounted.

the OP has most likely found out from personal exp. the answer to his question by now. My 2cents,,,a 400mm is often too long ,,,and planes move fast,,,a 70-200 or 100-400 is your friend. Of course if you have to stay well away from the runways a 400mm might be ok. In late spring to early fall heat haze and airborne pollution can seriously work against you.