Shooting WWII Aircraft with Blurred Props
May 19, 2017 15:49:45 #
My name is Hawk and I'm going to Warbirds on the Beach in VA Beach tomorrow. I have a Nikon 3100 with a Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 1.4-5.6G ED DX lens. Shooting old aircraft in auto mode many times will "freeze" the prop(s). What settings can I use to "blur" the prop(s)? Should I use aperature priority? Or, what? Thx.
May 19, 2017 15:58:24 #
Work in shutter priority adjusting the shutter speed up or down until you have the effect you are looking for. The aperture will be set automatically to compensate. Remember that you may get the plane blurred as well if it is flying past you in review as the shutter speed may be too slow for that. But on the ground the prop blur should be easily achievable.
May 19, 2017 16:07:47 #
hawkmoore wrote:
My name is Hawk and I'm going to Warbirds on the Beach in VA Beach tomorrow. I have a Nikon 3100 with a Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 1.4-5.6G ED DX lens. Shooting old aircraft in auto mode many times will "freeze" the prop(s). What settings can I use to "blur" the prop(s)? Should I use aperature priority? Or, what? Thx.
If they allow it, take a tripod as hand-holding for slow shutter speeds could introduce some shake.
May 19, 2017 16:36:06 #
1/125 in shutter will work for most flying planes; if idling 1/30 to 1/60. for planes in the air preferably with the sun at your back take a reading of the bright sky in shutter priority at around 1/125, note the aperture setting, switch to manual and dial it in. start shooting.
May 19, 2017 16:40:36 #
BlackRipleyDog wrote:
Work in shutter priority adjusting the shutter speed up or down until you have the effect you are looking for. The aperture will be set automatically to compensate. Remember that you may get the plane blurred as well if it is flying past you in review as the shutter speed may be too slow for that. But on the ground the prop blur should be easily achievable.
What BlackRipleyDog said is good. Except prop tips move much faster than airplanes, so should be easy to freeze the airplane. Assuming a bright sunny day, 1/400s should provide plenty of light, but also will freeze props. I think start at 1/125s. These were both 1/1000s which was way too fast and shows no movement of the props, but I did like the C-130 "Fat Albert" shot showing vapor trails from the propeller tips.
May 19, 2017 16:53:47 #
hawkmoore wrote:
My name is Hawk and I'm going to Warbirds on the Beach in VA Beach tomorrow. I have a Nikon 3100 with a Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 1.4-5.6G ED DX lens. Shooting old aircraft in auto mode many times will "freeze" the prop(s). What settings can I use to "blur" the prop(s)? Should I use aperature priority? Or, what? Thx.
https://www.moosepeterson.com/blog/moose-press/taking-flight/
May 19, 2017 17:39:59 #
It's all about shutter speed, the slower the more blur you will have in the prop. Shooting full auto you give up control of the camera, you would be better using shutter priority, AP is good when you want to control depth of field.
May 20, 2017 05:36:23 #
I did a Spitfire and Hurricane flypast that I was quite pleased with and I seem to recall around 1/200th for that. I used a 400mm 'L' series lens on a 60D and struggled a little with focusing whilst panning.
May 20, 2017 06:02:15 #
Use shutter priority. Try different speeds until you get the results you want. Forget using automatic. You control the camera, not the camera controlling you.
May 20, 2017 06:27:29 #
hawkmoore wrote:
My name is Hawk and I'm going to Warbirds on the Beach in VA Beach tomorrow. I have a Nikon 3100 with a Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 1.4-5.6G ED DX lens. Shooting old aircraft in auto mode many times will "freeze" the prop(s). What settings can I use to "blur" the prop(s)? Should I use aperature priority? Or, what? Thx.
You have the problem of a telephoto lens and low shutter speed, but it can be done. "Lower your speed (it can vary, between 1/125 and 1/500) to get a sharp image that just shows a slight blur on the moving parts."
https://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-make-amazing-airplane-photos--photo-9412
Some more links -
https://www.dpreview.com/articles/4293153502/aviation-photography
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/taking-great-photographs-at-airshows.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/content/10-tips-improve-your-aviation-photography
May 20, 2017 06:32:34 #
May 20, 2017 07:14:42 #
John N wrote:
I did a Spitfire and Hurricane flypast that I was quite pleased with and I seem to recall around 1/200th for that. I used a 400mm 'L' series lens on a 60D and struggled a little with focusing whilst panning.
I like this shot. Your EXIF data is showing 400mm 1/200 sec I think it is an exceptional shot for that combination. You got the props just right. :)
May 20, 2017 07:22:35 #
DavidPine
Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
Shutter priority 1/200. Pan your camera. If you shoot on a tripod you will miss your shot.
hawkmoore wrote:
My name is Hawk and I'm going to Warbirds on the Beach in VA Beach tomorrow. I have a Nikon 3100 with a Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 1.4-5.6G ED DX lens. Shooting old aircraft in auto mode many times will "freeze" the prop(s). What settings can I use to "blur" the prop(s)? Should I use aperature priority? Or, what? Thx.
May 20, 2017 07:46:12 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
hawkmoore wrote:
My name is Hawk and I'm going to Warbirds on the Beach in VA Beach tomorrow. I have a Nikon 3100 with a Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 1.4-5.6G ED DX lens. Shooting old aircraft in auto mode many times will "freeze" the prop(s). What settings can I use to "blur" the prop(s)? Should I use aperature priority? Or, what? Thx.
You need a shutter speed less than 1/125 second and read the following on shooting airplanes.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/content/10-tips-improve-your-aviation-photography
May 20, 2017 08:18:51 #
I have shot a lot of airplanes, since that is a major passion and in flight shutter priority is the only way to go. In flight I use 1/125 second handheld.
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