Red bull air race - need advice

hope i have the right forum for this question - if not could a mod please move it somewhere more suitable

the last round of the red bull air race is on this weekend in perth.
i will be there with my 350d and 70-200f2.8/2xTC
just wondering if anyone has any advice on what shutter speed to use to get some propeller blur

any other helpful advice would also be appreciated.

thanks in advance
Echo 63

Sorry Mate,

But the 70-200 2.8 x2 will really leave you wanting, both in sharpness and in AF speed. You really do need at least a 500 5.6 to get even 50% of the frame filled with the A/C. I shot from the press area here in SF two years now and even the 500 f4 gets kinda short for half the track.

Getting really sharp shots while getting good blur is tough since these A/C rarely fly level
Shutter speeds will be around 340 or so ISO just under 400. These engines are all new 300/360 Hp Lycons or Lycomings and all are really pumping out the RPM;s so getting blur is not too tough.

I send more later,

Les

thanks for the advice mate

i know that my 70-200 and TC will be lacking - i just cant afford anything longer (i picked the TC up today and had trouble finding the money for it)

I am going just to have some fun and see what shots i can get, i know that they wont be amazing but if i can get a few keepers i will be happy

Hey Echo63. Ill be coming up to the Air Race this weekend from Busselton. I'll have the 70-200 2.8 w/ 1.4x TCON on the 30D. This will give me 448mm f/4 equivalent. Hope you and I get some good shots!

Mike

If the aircraft is in profile, not much will help. You're usually going to have to get below 1/250 for a good prop blur. Do a search for "Threads started by" Marauder61 for some inspiration. Or look at his gallery which has the exif data: Marauder61

Airshow guys - prop freeze?
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?p=2175804

Posted by adamsti: General rule of thumb for props, 1/250 and slower for flying aircraft. 1/200 and 1/160 give very nice blur. For aircraft taxing 1/125 and slower. 1/60 is very good here. Obviously here you need a steady hand, but it can be done with practice.

Posted by peacock: " I always try to shoot the prop plane @ less than 1/125..."
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=209768

I tried to take a few pictures at lunch time and found out it was harder than I thought! I've never even shot birds before and I had a hell of a time chasing little planes on the end of a long lens! These were taken from the opposite(north) shore of the river which the Perth guys will know is about 1.5km(1 mile) away.

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nice shots what lens were they shot with ?

i am planning heading down to the south perth foreshore early and trying to figure out the best place to sit/stand before the racing actually starts. i would go tommorow or saturday but i am busy both days.

where on the river are the air gates being placed? - have had a look but cant seem to find an overhead view of the course

Sinkrate - hope to see you there - but chances of that are slim.
i have a little "potn aussie club" logo on the hood of my 70-200
if you spot it - come and say hi

Hi Echo,

These were taken with an EF 70-300 IS USM. Both shots were at 300mm. I'll try to get closer on the South Perth foreshore on the weekend. Should be easier than shooting from a mile away!

Cheers

Reggie

Echo63 wrote in post #2270310
nice shots what lens were they shot with ?

i am planning heading down to the south perth foreshore early and trying to figure out the best place to sit/stand before the racing actually starts. i would go tommorow or saturday but i am busy both days.

where on the river are the air gates being placed? - have had a look but cant seem to find an overhead view of the course

Sinkrate - hope to see you there - but chances of that are slim.
i have a little "potn aussie club" logo on the hood of my 70-200
if you spot it - come and say hi

Echo63, I would agree that the chances of seeing you there are pretty slim, but if I see that logo I'll come over and say hi! I hope we both get some decent shots. If not of the planes, I can do some people watching.

Mike

Sinkrate wrote in post #2270478
I hope we both get some decent shots. If not of the planes, I can do some people watching.

Mike

my other half will be with me so i cant really do any "people watching" - i normally get a slap to the back of the head if i do

i really do hope that everyone who comes along with a decent camera/lens combo gets some decent shots
if i get one really really good shot then i will be happy
although i will be happy with 50 average shots too

Echo63 wrote in post #2270813
my other half will be with me so i cant really do any "people watching" - i normally get a slap to the back of the head if i do

i really do hope that everyone who comes along with a decent camera/lens combo gets some decent shots
if i get one really really good shot then i will be happy
although i will be happy with 50 average shots too

I hope to get some good shots. Im off to Perth in the morning so I probably wont post here till im back home.

Have fun at the race!

Mike

I put some pictures from yesterday here.

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heres my best one from today (hope it resized ok)

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That's pretty good echo

Where were you shooting from? The South Perth foreshore will be a lot easier I think since that's where the action is.

Not bad Echo!! Good job filling the frame. You see what I mean about using the 2x though, or if that is not it bump up your shutter speed a bit. You got a good arc on the big fan in front but if the A/C is not sharp(er) you won't be happy...

Have fun tho,

Les