Aircraft pics. Question please.

Hi.
I like to take pics of everything & anything, & I love some of these 'Plane pics, but how do you get them all so perfectly exposed?

Which mode do you use to capture them so 'spot on'?

I've tried in the past but obviously the background is the brightest, and therefore aircraft/heli's have resulted in under exposure.

Learning all the time.

Do you have an example of one of your photos that may have not come out so well? If so i can probably point out some things. You can fix a lot of things in post processing..

mumbles wrote in post #3411028
Do you have an example of one of your photos that may have not come out so well? If so i can probably point out some things. You can fix a lot of things in post processing..

Not to hand i don't, mumbles. Maybe in a day or 3, I may be able to fish something off a DVD or something.
But out of interest, what settings do you use? Av, Manual? Tv?

Most of the time I 'cheat' and use the standard auto setting, but for movement, tend to use Tv, and for static objects - Av.

Also I don't tend to change ISO if possible - I just use 'my loaf' - Bright/sunny conditions then 100 - maybe 200. Low light, then perhaps 400.

Hope I don't sound too much like a no brainer

Vulcan58 wrote in post #3410939
Hi.
I like to take pics of everything & anything, & I love some of these 'Plane pics, but how do you get them all so perfectly exposed?

Which mode do you use to capture them so 'spot on'?

I've tried in the past but obviously the background is the brightest, and therefore aircraft/heli's have resulted in under exposure.

Learning all the time.

AV priority at f8...OR shutter priority at around 1/320th.

AI servo focus, centre point focus only.

Evalutive metering at plus 2/3 exposure compensation.

400D with 100-400L..check my link below to see how it works for me..

Well it depends if you are shooting jet or props/helos. I'd go as fast as possible on jets, and around 125th to 150th on props.

I only shoot manual mode. But that's my personal preference. I can see the value in using Tv, but i just get used to my settings and set them, and usually it's close enough on most of my shots, although i do keep close eye on the meter to ensure it's center or close to.

http://brendanstewart.​net/oceana2006/airshow​18.jpg
http://brendanstewart.​net/oceana2006/airshow​19.jpg
http://brendanstewart.​net/oceana2006/airshow​63.jpg
http://brendanstewart.​net/oceana2006/airshow​43.jpg

All shot using the 100-400L. Mainly in M mode if i remember correctly.

Hi,
My personal preference is to shoot in Av mode for jets, and Tv for props. I normally over expose by around 2/3 of a stop if shooting against a bright/brightish sky.

I admire anyone who does it in manual, I tried it once and didn't get on. The problem for me was that shooting aircraft often involves long pans , almost 180 degrees at airshows for example. This means that the amount of light can really change a lot, so my fingers ended up dancing over the controls to keep the exposure right, rather than mashing the AF and shooting!

Paul

I use centre spot metering, TV mode 1/500 or faster for jets 1/125-1/250 for props.

If the sky is white or very bright I'll add 2/3 to 1 stop extra exposure compensation, not necessary with a rich blue sky or where the jet is white or light grey.

practice your panning technique too, and don't try zooming in too much to start with as getting the whole jet in the frame can be tricky at first but it comes better with practice. I tend to point my feet more towards where the jet will end up rather than where it starts, I then twist round to pick up the jet and 'unwind' as it passes so my feet and hips are more in a natural position when I take the shot.

“Film tricks” can help you out.
Need an exposure crutch?

Airshow guys - prop freeze?

PhotosGuy wrote in post #3412784
“Film tricks” can help you out.
Need an exposure crutch?

Airshow guys - prop freeze?

Thanks all for the replies.
Will take note and see if I can get some soon.

Go near an airport and practice. No need to wait for another airshow... They are slower but in terms of getting used to lighting and panning, surely wouldn't hurt.

mumbles wrote in post #3416250
Go near an airport and practice. No need to wait for another airshow... They are slower but in terms of getting used to lighting and panning, surely wouldn't hurt.

Exactly what I do/did