Getting ready for Airshow season - Gear questions

Hi guys

PhotosGuy. You may be right, but as I know just a tad more than nothing, and no-one told me, that's the way I went, and it seems to work, for me at least. I always suggest try it and see, then try a different method and eventually you'll find what works best for you. And this is only for chasing fast jets around the sky

FatAlbert, the TC has just arrived, and fitted to the 5D with the 100-400mm. Works fine, and will AF, but min aperture becomes f/6.7-8 and I'll let you know how much it affects the AF. They do say in the paperwork that it will be slower, but not how much. I guess a day at the airport is called for.

Happy snapping, Chris

Slimsphotos wrote in post #5278209
Hi guys

PhotosGuy. You may be right, but as I know just a tad more than nothing, and no-one told me, that's the way I went, and it seems to work, for me at least. I always suggest try it and see, then try a different method and eventually you'll find what works best for you. And this is only for chasing fast jets around the sky

FatAlbert, the TC has just arrived, and fitted to the 5D with the 100-400mm. Works fine, and will AF, but min aperture becomes f/6.7-8 and I'll let you know how much it affects the AF. They do say in the paperwork that it will be slower, but not how much. I guess a day at the airport is called for.

Happy snapping, Chris

Chris,
thanks for that. I will have to try again with mine. I'm now kind of puzzled. My 1.4TC and 70-200mm works just fine, even on the 30D and the Rebel XT

I usually use a 70-200mm f/2.8 with the 2x. I also rent a 300mm 2.8.

I shoot Av, wide open, for jets, Tv 1/250 for prop engine plans for the prop blur. Both at iso 100, unless it's cloudy or getting dark.

No monopod or tripod. They are too limiting. They are fine for sports by when you need to shoot up and pan quickly, it gets in the way. Since most jets will come and go you don't need to hold it up the entire time. I don't usually use a strap, but at air shows I do since I never put down my camera. I also bring an additional fold up chair for my gear since some air shows set up the blanket seating area on dirt.

Slimsphotos wrote in post #5278209
Hi guys

PhotosGuy. You may be right, but as I know just a tad more than nothing, and no-one told me, that's the way I went, and it seems to work, for me at least. I always suggest try it and see, then try a different method and eventually you'll find what works best for you. And this is only for chasing fast jets around the sky

FatAlbert, the TC has just arrived, and fitted to the 5D with the 100-400mm. Works fine, and will AF, but min aperture becomes f/6.7-8 and I'll let you know how much it affects the AF. They do say in the paperwork that it will be slower, but not how much. I guess a day at the airport is called for.

Happy snapping, Chris

The TC does slow down the focus when the max aperature is that high. Also the non 1D cameras cannot autofocus with a max aperature of f/8.

This weekend I shot with a 1D MKIIn, 500mm f/4, 1.4x. It focuses noticible slower than the 70-200mm f/2.8 w/ the 2x. And I couldn't catch the sport bikes with the 500mm & the 2x, it's even slower.

70-200 will leave you wanting more reach, I'm afraid.

I generally use metered manual, and go for as large an aperture as I can (dust spots, y'know), combined with a slow enough shutter speed to allow some prop blur (and thank you Canon IS!). Polarizer or ND if needed if I hit ISO 100 going down and still want slower shutter speed and wider aperture. No monopod or tripod; if I was using something longer than the 100-400, I might (probably would). Whenever there's a break in the action, I'll recheck my meter setting, frames left on the card and battery state.

aridan wrote in post #5251956
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.

Hey Aridan,

I shoot for an aviation magazine. I have a 1dIIN, And a 30d backup. I have shot the 100-400 lens for years. You will see that lens 80% of the time with the media at air shows. A 70-200 comes in handy for planes taxing in front of you, but nothing under 300mm for in the air.

I shoot the 100-400 handheld. I have tried a monopod on the 300/2.8, but also like to shoot that handheld. For some reason even the 500mm is good handheld because you can put it down between passes.

Don't use a TC without a prime lens....Really slows auto focus...

I set the camera two ways. I shoot f8 for jets and then I have the TV setting to 120th of a sec for props.

So thats how I handle most shows. Everyone does it different. have fun at the shows. Check out the photos http://www.PhotosByRas​berry.com

Greg

I shot my first air show 2 weeks ago using my 40D and 70-200 2.8 IS. No monopod, but needed more sun blocker as I was very red faced when I got home. No real braggers,, but here they are...Comments always welcome.

http://****/yoy4gh

lauderdalems wrote in post #5282594
I shot my first air show 2 weeks ago using my 40D and 70-200 2.8 IS. No monopod, but needed more sun blocker as I was very red faced when I got home. No real braggers,, but here they are...Comments always welcome.

http://****/yoy4gh

Some nice shots in amongst them, I like the close up of the F-16/F-22 (not sure which) cockpit and also the Blue Angels crossover. You might want to read the forum on the link below regarding shooting prop planes at airshows, it gives tips about not freezing the prop blades.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=229542

200mm usually too short

It, of course, depends upon the venue of the air show. There are some airshows that have the crowds closer than others. I attended an airshow years ago at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD in which the performing aircraft were actually quite close to the crowd. However, I have shot the Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar Air Show last year and I used a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with a 1.4x TC that was just minimally adequate.

I have a 400mm f/5.6L which would have been better but, I was going to shoot from the stands and didn't think that a tripod/monopod would be convenient. I was also too lazy to carry the tripod.

It turns out that I was in the front row and a tripod or monopod would have been just fine. I will bring my 400mm f/5.6L this year and use a tripod. I will have my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with me also.

I think that a 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens would be great for any airshow.

Actually, the lighting conditions for the Miramar Airshow were not all that great. It wasn't all that clear and the sun was not in a good location for shooting from the spectators area.

RPCrowe wrote in post #5286114
It, of course, depends upon the venue of the air show. There are some airshows that have the crowds closer than others. I attended an airshow years ago at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, MD in which the performing aircraft were actually quite close to the crowd. However, I have shot the Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar Air Show last year and I used a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with a 1.4x TC that was just minimally adequate.

I have a 400mm f/5.6L which would have been better but, I was going to shoot from the stands and didn't think that a tripod/monopod would be convenient. I was also too lazy to carry the tripod.

It turns out that I was in the front row and a tripod or monopod would have been just fine. I will bring my 400mm f/5.6L this year and use a tripod. I will have my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with me also.

I think that a 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens would be great for any airshow.

Actually, the lighting conditions for the Miramar Airshow were not all that great. It wasn't all that clear and the sun was not in a good location for shooting from the spectators area.

The last 2 years at Miramar started with rain, but ended with a great sky for the background.