Metering Mode For Airshows?

I am going to an airshow this coming weekend : http://www.yankeeairmu​seum.org/airshow/ and was wondering what would be the best metering mode to use. I am talking about shooting flying planes not planes on the ground. Any other tips to help my keeper rate go up would be appreciated also. I will be using my 40D with my 100-400L.
Mike

I also have the 40D and spot metering is the way to go, it's the aircraft you want correct not the sky!

claybuster wrote in post #6045949
I am going to an airshow this coming weekend : http://www.yankeeairmu​seum.org/airshow/ and was wondering what would be the best metering mode to use. I am talking about shooting flying planes not planes on the ground. Any other tips to help my keeper rate go up would be appreciated also. I will be using my 40D with my 100-400L.
Mike

The last two airshows I've shot with the 100-400L I've shot in M mode at 1/500th, f8, at ISO 400 (20D body). If there is more light than I know what to do with I might drop it down to ISO 200 or up the f stop to f11 or so (I shifted to that on the second one - that was with my 5D, which seems to expose 1/2 to 2/3 stop brighter than my 20D by default). That shutter speed has been adequate for prop blur and still okay for sharp shots with IS on. I believe there is no metering mode in effect when you shoot in M mode. Perhaps someone else can comment on that part.

I also keep Tv mode set at 1/320th for prop planes that are taxiing on the runway because their props spin slower and 1/500 to 1/640th can freeze them more than I want. In that case I have spot metering on. I use Av for people and whatever else. Usually spot metering there too, but not necessarily so. The main thing about my system is that I keep M mode set for flight and don't touch it unless absolutely necessary and I use the other modes for misc. I believe M mode disregards metering, but I've kept it at spot just in case. I'll look it up eventually so I can be sure.

Mike which day are going to be there?

I probably should have used manual for my last airshow, but I used evaluative and later dialed in +1 because the sky was getting placed at middle gray, making the shadows on the planes too dark. I wouldn't have bothered with spot simply because of the fact that keeping the spot on a fast moving plane seemed too hard. Since it was my first time shooting such an event, I'm sure I would be better at that with practice. I didn't try manual exposure but our lighting was changing some and AE was working fine.

tkoutdoor wrote in post #6046156
The last two airshows I've shot with the 100-400L I've shot in M mode at 1/500th, f8, at ISO 400 (20D body). If there is more light than I know what to do with I might drop it down to ISO 200 or up the f stop to f11 or so (I shifted to that on the second one - that was with my 5D, which seems to expose 1/2 to 2/3 stop brighter than my 20D by default). That shutter speed has been adequate for prop blur and still okay for sharp shots with IS on. I believe there is no metering mode in effect when you shoot in M mode. Perhaps someone else can comment on that part.

I also keep Tv mode set at 1/320th for prop planes that are taxiing on the runway because their props spin slower and 1/500 to 1/640th can freeze them more than I want. In that case I have spot metering on. I use Av for people and whatever else. Usually spot metering there too, but not necessarily so. The main thing about my system is that I keep M mode set for flight and don't touch it unless absolutely necessary and I use the other modes for misc. I believe M mode disregards metering, but I've kept it at spot just in case. I'll look it up eventually so I can be sure.

Absolutely the metering works in M. Why do you think the toothpick moves as your scene changes. The camera won't change exposure, 'cause it's in M, but the meter will tell you what it thinks of the exposure settings.

You can use spot or whatever. I'd use whatever metering mode you want chimp and adjust in M and leave it there. If the sun isn't moving in and out of clouds the light should be pretty constant.

Be aware though of plane reflectivity and how much of the plane is in and out of shade due to its position to the sun.

As a starting point for jets I'd got ISO 200, shutter of 1/1000 and f/8.

gooble wrote in post #6046611
Absolutely the metering works in M. Why do you think the toothpick moves as your scene changes. The camera won't change exposure, 'cause it's in M, but the meter will tell you what it thinks of the exposure settings.

You can use spot or whatever. I'd use whatever metering mode you want chimp and adjust in M and leave it there. If the sun isn't moving in and out of clouds the light should be pretty constant.

Be aware though of plane reflectivity and how much of the plane is in and out of shade due to its position to the sun.

As a starting point for jets I'd got ISO 200, shutter of 1/1000 and f/8.

+1
I usually use evaluative metering and a similar setup as mentioned depending on the light conditions. I take a couple test shots then look at the histogram. You can either adjust shutter speed or overexpose on the dial as necessary. Bright light can be a PITA.

Metering mode won't matter.

Point the camera at the blue sky, meter it in M. Add about 1/2 or 2/3 of a stop and shoot at planes all day long....

If it's cloudy then you pretty much do the same thing but you'll get to play with blown highlights/shadow details until you're happy.

+1 for the Cosworth Method...
(Put the sun directly at your back)

ggt1_02 wrote in post #6046565
Mike which day are going to be there?

I'm going Saturday. Are you going?
Mike

Thanks for all the great tips guys! I hope my keeper rate will be a little better than last year.
Mike

claybuster wrote in post #6046875
I'm going Saturday. Are you going?
Mike

Dang it. I'll be out there on Sunday.

cosworth wrote in post #6046725
Metering mode won't matter.

Point the camera at the blue sky, meter it in M. Add about 1/2 or 2/3 of a stop and shoot at planes all day long....

If it's cloudy then you pretty much do the same thing but you'll get to play with blown highlights/shadow details until you're happy.

... so long as you're shooting in M mode that is.

ggt1_02 wrote in post #6046961
Dang it. I'll be out there on Sunday.

I'm going to the Abbotsford Airshow in Abbotsford B.C. on Saturday from a tour bus leaving Seattle. Anyone else heading up that way (even you lurkers out there...)?