B-29 "FiFi" Last Flying Bomber

Had an AirShow in Midland Texas this past weekend . I could not go but i work next to the airport and got these flyover pictures friday before the show . This is "FiFi" (pronounced "FeFe") , the last working , flying B-29 Bomber in all the world . She flies beautifully and purrs like a kitten . The airshow is over now and FiFi will be leaving to join the



Sadly we will miss her at the CAF Museum here in Midland Texas . Sorry the images are not top shape buti shot these handhelt with a XSi , Sigma 135-400 APO and it's not easy keeping track in flight for me . Hope you like these and if you ever are able to see FiFi i highly suggest you not miss a chance in a life time !! I regret i did not make this show but i do have several pictures but hthese are the best .

Couple of nice, clean shots but I'm sure the other 57 views to date all came to the same conclusion:

You completely froze the props by shooting at far too fast a shutter speed which makes poor FiFi look as if she's about to just fall out of the sky.

Damn good to see her back in the air though...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #11073682
Couple of nice, clean shots but I'm sure the other 57 views to date all came to the same conclusion:

You completely froze the props by shooting at far too fast a shutter speed which makes poor FiFi look as if she's about to just fall out of the sky.

Damn good to see her back in the air though...

Your right about the props being frozen but it was a hurried event during lunch time and i only had a few minutes so not much time for adjustments since she only flew over me this one time .

"Be prepared."
--The Boy Scouts motto.

Man someone needs to come up with a new line. The "frozen prop" is kind of over used.

dedsen wrote in post #11076532
Man someone needs to come up with a new line. The "frozen prop" is kind of over used.

Well, what would you prefer we call it?

Blur denotes motion and the lack of blur makes it look like the subject is having a four-alarm emergency and will be coming down in short order...

I'll grant you that not everyone has the same level of experience and many don't have a "prop blur" happy place to which they can go like some here do but it needs to be pointed out (as a learning thing) that nothing is more jarring to the viewer than frozen props.

Even one or two blade-widths worth is better than stone-cold stopped...

Propsicles.

adamsti wrote in post #11078273
Propsicles.

Oh! Snap!!

I have seen "FiFi" up close a couple of times, really an awesome aircraft. Pretty good pics for a hurried shoot. Will "FiFi" continue to fly in her new home? If not, that would be a dirty shame. Thanks for sharing.

ForumForker wrote in post #11078649
I have seen "FiFi" up close a couple of times, really an awesome aircraft. Pretty good pics for a hurried shoot. Will "FiFi" continue to fly in her new home? If not, that would be a dirty shame. Thanks for sharing.

Yes.

ForumForker wrote in post #11078649
I have seen "FiFi" up close a couple of times, really an awesome aircraft. Pretty good pics for a hurried shoot. Will "FiFi" continue to fly in her new home? If not, that would be a dirty shame. Thanks for sharing.

I feel like she will but can't be possitive but i can't see investing over a $1mil and not fly her again . Only thing i would be worried about is if any of the other engines give out and she crashed which is a big no no !! Hopefully many others will enjoy her for days to come ! Thanks for the comments also !

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #11076836
I'll grant you that not everyone has the same level of experience and many don't have a "prop blur" happy place to which they can go like some here do but it needs to be pointed out (as a learning thing) that nothing is more jarring to the viewer than frozen props.

Jay, just curious...what's a good go-to starting point for shutter speed for desirable prop blur with aircraft like this?

I'm a dormant private pilot but I've never photographed aircraft with my DSLR gear.

ToddR wrote in post #11078965
Jay, just curious...what's a good go-to starting point for shutter speed for desirable prop blur with aircraft like this?

I'm a dormant private pilot but I've never photographed aircraft with my DSLR gear.

For a front-lit subject against a fairly clear blue sky, the easiest "Go To" setting is Tv Mode @ 1/250, ISO 100, in full matrix metering and work slower from there if you're feeling particularly steady...

If you want to expose to the right a little in RAW, dial in + 1/2 EV.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #11079027
For a front-lit subject against a fairly clear blue sky, the easiest "Go To" setting is Tv Mode @ 1/250, ISO 100, in full matrix metering and work slower from there if you're feeling particularly steady...

If you want to expose to the right a little in RAW, dial in + 1/2 EV.

Interesting. Sounds quite reasonable for handheld until you get the big guns out, eh?

ToddR wrote in post #11079088
Interesting. Sounds quite reasonable for handheld until you get the big guns out, eh?

That is the "Big Gun" starting point...