Getting ready for Airshow season - Gear questions

Hi all,

Here are a few questions I have in preparation for the airshow season (my first one):

1. I'll be using a 70-200 f2.8 IS - is that enough reach, or should I plan on acquiring an extender? If so, should I go with the x1.4 or x2.0?

2. Will I need a monopod? Can you even keep track with fast jets using a monopod, or do you find it limiting and prefer instead to go handheld freestyle?

3. What is avg./most used aperture for these kinds of venues? Assuming it will be sunny, should I go wide open on the aperture and fastest shutter speed to keep up with the jets (excluding the case where prop blur is required)? Or should I stop down the lens a bit?

4. What mode do you think is the easest to work with at these speeds? Do you usually keep it in TV to control motion or do you prefer going Manual on it?

Any other pointers will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

My view
1 - Ok for shots of aircraft taking off or landing (assuming you're close to the runway), but an extender would be required for aerial work

2 - Not sure about the monopod. With the IS you should be able to hand hold.

3 - 250th or below for props (even lower for heicopters). Anything (alot) higher for the jets

4 - Haven't worked that out myself

Becareful where you stand. Make sure you have a clear field of view either side of you. You don't want to be pan to the left or right and get someones head or speaker pole in the picture.

aridan wrote in post #5251956
Hi all,

2. Will I need a monopod? Can you even keep track with fast jets using a monopod, or do you find it limiting and prefer instead to go handheld freestyle?

Thanks.

I find a monopod is too unweildy to follow the action. I have recently invested in a BushHawk shoulder mount. (www.bushhawk.com) I have tried it on civil aircraft at ATL and it works fine. I have yet to try it with aerobatic aircraft but I think it will be ok. I use it with my 100-400mm.

1. I shot a quick test with the 2X a few months ago & plan to do a few more later to see how the AF works with traffic at effective f/11.
70-200 f/2.8 & 2X TC combination "Test"
There's a link to other tests in there & Post #8 shows f/8 effective.

EDIT: Posts #12-14 now have a AI Servo & continuous drive mode test.

2. I wouldn't use one.

3. & 4. Try this:
Need an exposure crutch?
More on how the subject affects the exposure in Post # 47

Airshow guys - prop freeze?

PhotosGuy wrote in post #5255339
1. I shot a quick test with the 2X a few months ago & plan to do a few more later to see how the AF works with traffic at effective f/11.
70-200 f/2.8 & 2X TC combination "Test"
There's a link to other tests in there & Post #8 shows f/8 effective.

2. I wouldn't use one.

3. & 4. Try this:
Need an exposure crutch?
More on how the subject affects the exposure in Post # 47

Airshow guys - prop freeze?

Thanks man.

Wow, looking at the first link you posted (70-200 test) there is some serious deterioration in sharpness and contrast with the x2 teleconverter. Makes me think twice before I shell out the $300 for it.

200 might be a bit short for some airshows, but the extender is going to slow down your autofocus (especially the 2x)

i'd rent the 1.4 and see how you like it first

as for mode - av for jets, tv for props.. this also lets you just click the dial to change plane types

My 2 cents worth

Agree 200mm is probably going to be too short for the aerial show.
Definately Tv mode for props to get the blur.
Either Av or Tv mode with speed at 1/800th or faster for the jets.
Don't forget the metering either, usually spot.

Hand held should be fine, easier to track. I'll be trying out the bushmaster 320D this season so hope its okay.

My gear for the shows, normally Cannon 5D, with 100-400mm L IS in mode 2 or off, and trying thw 1.4 TC this year for first time as well. I've never had a problem with the weight, even over a 6 hour show, just relax your arms every now and again

Regards Chris

I didn't expect the same results as with a 100-400, but keep in mind the birds were shot under the worst conditions I could find & they aren't sharpened at all.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #5258056
I didn't expect the same results as with a 100-400, but keep in mind the birds were shot under the worst conditions I could find & they aren't sharpened at all.

I was actually more disappointed with the fens testing...

Slimsphotos wrote in post #5257308
My 2 cents worth

Agree 200mm is probably going to be too short for the aerial show.
Definately Tv mode for props to get the blur.
Either Av or Tv mode with speed at 1/800th or faster for the jets.
Don't forget the metering either, usually spot.

Hand held should be fine, easier to track. I'll be trying out the bushmaster 320D this season so hope its okay.

My gear for the shows, normally Cannon 5D, with 100-400mm L IS in mode 2 or off, and trying thw 1.4 TC this year for first time as well. I've never had a problem with the weight, even over a 6 hour show, just relax your arms every now and again

Regards Chris

Does your 100-400 work in AF with the 1.4 TC? Our 5D with that combo doesn't AF.

Also, why do you use Spot metering rather than balanced?

Hi FatAlbert

The TC hasn't arrived yet, so will find out soon if it AF with the 100-400. I think it does at f/5.6 but not below.
I use spot metering to meter on the aircraft and not the ever changing background, especially when panning, going from cloud to sky to cloud again. Seems to work for me.

Will let you know if the TC does work as advertised once I get it.

Regards Chris

Totally of the technical track - if it looks like it's going to be a sunny day be sure to put on plenty of sun block, especially on your face. Looking into the sky on a very sunny day can lead to a very red face

1. I used my 70-200 F4 IS last year and did ok with it. I just bought the 100-400 and know I will like that much better at the air show. As others said, the 200mm is enough for takeoffs, landings, and maybe low passes but the 100-400 should be much better.

2. I don't like using a monopod at air shows, but that is something that depends on the person shooting.

3 + 4 I use Av for jets and depending on the sun I (with my 70-200 F4) kept the aperture around F4 to F5.6 and when shooting prop planes I used Tv and messed around with several different shutter speeds.

I don't know how long the air shows are generally but the one around here that I go to most years is around 5.5 - 6 hours so I tend to go through CF cards pretty fast. Last year I had 10GB of cards and filled them all and could of kept going (maybe 12 to 14GB). I also really liked having the battery grip on because I didn't have to change my batteries at all that day. Other then that I just suggest getting to the show early and be sure to get a good spot.

Slimsphotos wrote in post #5263594
Hi FatAlbert

The TC hasn't arrived yet, so will find out soon if it AF with the 100-400. I think it does at f/5.6 but not below.
I use spot metering to meter on the aircraft and not the ever changing background, especially when panning, going from cloud to sky to cloud again. Seems to work for me.

Will let you know if the TC does work as advertised once I get it.

Regards Chris

Chris,
Thanks for the tip on the metering, I will give that a try. Wait to hear from you on the TC

Ian

In posts #12-14, I added a AI Servo & continuous drive mode test under better conditions. The results aren't as good as I'd expect with a 400mm f/2.8 lens, but for the cost difference & few times a year use, I think the test looks pretty good.
I'm thinking I need to rerun the test in very low light with a black car & see how that goes.

If you have a lot of experience with that, it's OK, but I still don't recommend it for someone without that experience. Manual exposure works best for me under almost all conditions.