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Weekend Air show
Jun 26, 2017 00:36:07   #
PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
Finally took the opportunity to shoot an air show. While I got some decent shots, it is very apparent I need more practice (a LOT more) ! I have done Car and boat racing but they tend to run in predictable 'followable' patterns at relatively low speeds compared to the jets. Got some good shots of prop planes but focus on the jets was not easy. Below are some of the better photos but still kind of embarrassing ...

All shot hand-held with a 70D and an older Sigma 100-500 with no stabilization. Took initial metering and shot f7 @ 1/1000 and 400 ISO. Probably should have pushed the ISO and went higher shutter speed ? Any suggestions on airshow photography ? I have seen some impressive plane shots here - look dorward to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance
-- k --


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Jun 26, 2017 04:15:00   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
PGHphoto wrote:
Finally took the opportunity to shoot an air show. While I got some decent shots, it is very apparent I need more practice (a LOT more) ! I have done Car and boat racing but they tend to run in predictable 'followable' patterns at relatively low speeds compared to the jets. Got some good shots of prop planes but focus on the jets was not easy. Below are some of the better photos but still kind of embarrassing ...

All shot hand-held with a 70D and an older Sigma 100-500 with no stabilization. Took initial metering and shot f7 @ 1/1000 and 400 ISO. Probably should have pushed the ISO and went higher shutter speed ? Any suggestions on airshow photography ? I have seen some impressive plane shots here - look dorward to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance
-- k --
Finally took the opportunity to shoot an air show.... (show quote)


Suggestion, try a Red Dot sight mounted on the flash shoe. When adjusted right the "dot" will be where your center focal point is. You keep both eyes open watching the subject with one looking through the "dot" and can thus have better situational awareness for tracking the fast movers, even when they change directions. I use it for birds. I do usually keep my lens set a little wider than normal to allow for cropping and not cutting off part of the subject. When teamed with a gimbal head it works very well. You do have to stay aware of where the tripod legs are if tracking a long pass or subject circling around you.

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Jun 26, 2017 04:29:54   #
DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
 
Shoot the prop planes at 1/200 - 1/250, f/16, ISO 200, WB Cloudy. Fast movers require a minimum 0f 1/2000 – 1/800, f/5.6, ISO 1600. You need to pan to capture clearly.

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Jun 26, 2017 06:38:22   #
SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL
 
PGHphoto wrote:
Finally took the opportunity to shoot an air show. While I got some decent shots, it is very apparent I need more practice (a LOT more) ! I have done Car and boat racing but they tend to run in predictable 'followable' patterns at relatively low speeds compared to the jets. Got some good shots of prop planes but focus on the jets was not easy. Below are some of the better photos but still kind of embarrassing ...

All shot hand-held with a 70D and an older Sigma 100-500 with no stabilization. Took initial metering and shot f7 @ 1/1000 and 400 ISO. Probably should have pushed the ISO and went higher shutter speed ? Any suggestions on airshow photography ? I have seen some impressive plane shots here - look dorward to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance
-- k --
Finally took the opportunity to shoot an air show.... (show quote)


I think you hit on it. Just keep shooting. I particularly like the shot of the Corsair on the runway. I think it is one of the most beautiful Warbirds.

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 07:37:25   #
PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
robertjerl wrote:
Suggestion, try a Red Dot sight mounted on the flash shoe. When adjusted right the "dot" will be where your center focal point is. You keep both eyes open watching the subject with one looking through the "dot" and can thus have better situational awareness for tracking the fast movers, even when they change directions. I use it for birds. I do usually keep my lens set a little wider than normal to allow for cropping and not cutting off part of the subject. When teamed with a gimbal head it works very well. You do have to stay aware of where the tripod legs are if tracking a long pass or subject circling around you.
Suggestion, try a Red Dot sight mounted on the fla... (show quote)


Will check out Red Dot - had not heard of it and sounds like it would be really useful. Thanks for the tip

-- k --

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Jun 26, 2017 14:03:54   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
PGHphoto wrote:
Will check out Red Dot - had not heard of it and sounds like it would be really useful. Thanks for the tip

-- k --


They are optical sights designed for guns, first ones were for shotguns. You look through a sight and a red dot (shapes and colors are now available) sort of floats in the scene. You even have leeway as to looking straight through the sight, just as long as you can see the "dot" and it is on the subject.

Don't go for the expensive ones, you don't need it to withstand the recoil of a gun or magnification. You will also need an adapter to fit it to the hot shoe.
I have two for two cameras, they look alike, one brand named AIM and the reticles are in red only, the other branded Vokul and you have a choice of red or green, both have 4 shapes. I suspect they came out of the same factory in China and were branded for the distributor.

simplest sight here: (I believe there is now a red/green version out, look on Amazon or Ebay.)
http://www.amazon.com/Aim-Sports-Sight-Different-Reticles/dp/B002ZVFF20/ref=sr_1_1?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1498498409&sr=1-1&keywords=AIM+sight

Vokul here:
http://www.amazon.com/Vokul-Tactical-Reticle-Reflex-Weaver-Picatinny/dp/B00WQPDA5O

Adapter to put sight on hot shoe:
http://www.amazon.com/Higoo-Univesal-Camera-Picatinny-Adapter/dp/B01MSMG1PK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1498498865&sr=1-2&keywords=sight+adapter+for+camera+hot+shoe

This is a real cheap one similar to my older one. It can be knocked out of alignment easily, I also have a "deluxe" model from MT Shooter (on UHH), Carter's Camera Cottage.
http://www.amazon.com/Higoo-Univesal-Camera-Picatinny-Adapter/dp/B01MSMG1PK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1498498865&sr=1-2&keywords=sight+adapter+for+camera+hot+shoe
Go to Web Store and scroll down to Xtend-A-Sight RDS Adapter $29.95

When looking for these be careful, there have been a couple of advertisements for them by people who claim their's are high end made for camera use, and the prices are very high.

Here is what my rig looks like. Pic #1 camera with Red Dot Pic #2 camera with hot shoe splitter and Red Dot and Flash mounted. The splitters are available on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xhot+shoe+spliter.TRS0&_nkw=hot+shoe+spliter&_sacat=0

And, yes that is a pistol grip, helps a lot for hand holding lenses that have a tripod collar. This is the Canon 100-400L II. About $15 on Amazon or Ebay.

When not hand holding I use a Nest Gimbal head and Nest Tripod from MT Shooter. Works well.


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Jun 26, 2017 16:05:00   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
PGHphoto wrote:
Finally took the opportunity to shoot an air show. While I got some decent shots, it is very apparent I need more practice (a LOT more) ! I have done Car and boat racing but they tend to run in predictable 'followable' patterns at relatively low speeds compared to the jets. Got some good shots of prop planes but focus on the jets was not easy. Below are some of the better photos but still kind of embarrassing ...

All shot hand-held with a 70D and an older Sigma 100-500 with no stabilization. Took initial metering and shot f7 @ 1/1000 and 400 ISO. Probably should have pushed the ISO and went higher shutter speed ? Any suggestions on airshow photography ? I have seen some impressive plane shots here - look dorward to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance
-- k --
Finally took the opportunity to shoot an air show.... (show quote)


"K,"

First off, don't be embarrassed at all. Photography is a continual learning process. I've only shot a couple of air shows and I think when you start shooting in some way new to you it takes a bit of practice. Obviously, the photos you posted are not sharp. So getting sharp shots with the correct composition is difficult when things are moving fast. I shot my last show hand-held, using a Nikon D500 and a Nikon 80-400 lens. I've included a few pics from a recent show, two hours standing off the runway in 104 degrees!! and the heat caused the images to have a heat shimmer in some cases, which I liked.

Here is some of what I do: Set my camera so that I have the fastest shutter speed possible for the given conditions; if it's bright, which it normally is, the ISO will be fairly low even at high shutter speeds. I set my f/stop around f/5.6 or so. Shutter speed is my primary concern for moving objects. Try to find that shutter spot where the plane is sharp but the rotors (right word? don't know anything about planes) will be slightly blurred to show motion, although this is not always possible. Watch the pattern for the take offs and landings and watch the area where the planes are sitting as planning ahead helps a lot. Start to follow the plane with your camera as soon as it begins to move down the runway and constantly focus on it, as it starts to lift off focus as needed and follow the plane with your camera and turning body (use your body as a brace to hold the camera steady) as it moves down the runway and leaves your sight, do not stop taking a photo until it is gone as some drama may occur that you will otherwise miss. Moving shots take practice. I use back-button autofocus but you will need to learn how to do this long before you go out to take shots that you want to keep, so practice with it first. Leave your lens opening wider in order to get the entire plane in until you learn how to set your sites quickly on moving objects, most often you will want to get the entire plane in the image. Also, it looks like your shots needed some editing, maybe a bit of clarity or a tone curve, they are somewhat flat. Watch the background, it can be difficult to find a decent background in some cases. Again, knowing the landing and take off area and following the plane through the process can help with this. Keep practicing, as will I!







Reply
 
 
Jun 26, 2017 16:44:55   #
PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
via the lens wrote:
"K,"

First off, don't be embarrassed at all. Photography is a continual learning process. I've only shot a couple of air shows and I think when you start shooting in some way new to you it takes a bit of practice. Obviously, the photos you posted are not sharp. So getting sharp shots with the correct composition is difficult when things are moving fast. I shot my last show hand-held, using a Nikon D500 and a Nikon 80-400 lens. I've included a few pics from a recent show, two hours standing off the runway in 104 degrees!! and the heat caused the images to have a heat shimmer in some cases, which I liked.

Here is some of what I do: Set my camera so that I have the fastest shutter speed possible for the given conditions; if it's bright, which it normally is, the ISO will be fairly low even at high shutter speeds. I set my f/stop around f/5.6 or so. Shutter speed is my primary concern for moving objects. Try to find that shutter spot where the plane is sharp but the rotors (right word? don't know anything about planes) will be slightly blurred to show motion, although this is not always possible. Watch the pattern for the take offs and landings and watch the area where the planes are sitting as planning ahead helps a lot. Start to follow the plane with your camera as soon as it begins to move down the runway and constantly focus on it, as it starts to lift off focus as needed and follow the plane with your camera and turning body (use your body as a brace to hold the camera steady) as it moves down the runway and leaves your sight, do not stop taking a photo until it is gone as some drama may occur that you will otherwise miss. Moving shots take practice. I use back-button autofocus but you will need to learn how to do this long before you go out to take shots that you want to keep, so practice with it first. Leave your lens opening wider in order to get the entire plane in until you learn how to set your sites quickly on moving objects, most often you will want to get the entire plane in the image. Also, it looks like your shots needed some editing, maybe a bit of clarity or a tone curve, they are somewhat flat. Watch the background, it can be difficult to find a decent background in some cases. Again, knowing the landing and take off area and following the plane through the process can help with this. Keep practicing, as will I!
"K," br br First off, don't be embarras... (show quote)


Appreciate the information. I am already using BBF so thats one less learning curve ! I did PP but try to leave the results in a realistic form. I know you are not suggesting it but I don't like the Thomas Kinkade painting look that some folks go for so I may have been a little too conservative with my saturation/vibrance. I am also thinking that my focus was not forward enough - especially with the F16 - so the small lag between focus and shot shifted the focus point backward. I have a pretty good idea when shooting race cars how to compensate for the movement by panning and also how to position myself for the best shot. I find it challenging that for some reason the airports don't allow you to stand on the runways !!! Don't they know that would make for some great photos ??

Where do you center your focus when shooting airplanes - especially high speed jets?
Thanks again for your help.

-- k --

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 16:48:08   #
PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
robertjerl wrote:
They are optical sights designed for guns, first ones were for shotguns. You look through a sight and a red dot (shapes and colors are now available) sort of floats in the scene. You even have leeway as to looking straight through the sight, just as long as you can see the "dot" and it is on the subject.

Don't go for the expensive ones, you don't need it to withstand the recoil of a gun or magnification. You will also need an adapter to fit it to the hot shoe.
I have two for two cameras, they look alike, one brand named AIM and the reticles are in red only, the other branded Vokul and you have a choice of red or green, both have 4 shapes. I suspect they came out of the same factory in China and were branded for the distributor.

simplest sight here: (I believe there is now a red/green version out, look on Amazon or Ebay.)
http://www.amazon.com/Aim-Sports-Sight-Different-Reticles/dp/B002ZVFF20/ref=sr_1_1?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1498498409&sr=1-1&keywords=AIM+sight

Vokul here:
http://www.amazon.com/Vokul-Tactical-Reticle-Reflex-Weaver-Picatinny/dp/B00WQPDA5O

Adapter to put sight on hot shoe:
http://www.amazon.com/Higoo-Univesal-Camera-Picatinny-Adapter/dp/B01MSMG1PK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1498498865&sr=1-2&keywords=sight+adapter+for+camera+hot+shoe

This is a real cheap one similar to my older one. It can be knocked out of alignment easily, I also have a "deluxe" model from MT Shooter (on UHH), Carter's Camera Cottage.
http://www.amazon.com/Higoo-Univesal-Camera-Picatinny-Adapter/dp/B01MSMG1PK/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1498498865&sr=1-2&keywords=sight+adapter+for+camera+hot+shoe
Go to Web Store and scroll down to Xtend-A-Sight RDS Adapter $29.95

When looking for these be careful, there have been a couple of advertisements for them by people who claim their's are high end made for camera use, and the prices are very high.

Here is what my rig looks like. Pic #1 camera with Red Dot Pic #2 camera with hot shoe splitter and Red Dot and Flash mounted. The splitters are available on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.Xhot+shoe+spliter.TRS0&_nkw=hot+shoe+spliter&_sacat=0

And, yes that is a pistol grip, helps a lot for hand holding lenses that have a tripod collar. This is the Canon 100-400L II. About $15 on Amazon or Ebay.

When not hand holding I use a Nest Gimbal head and Nest Tripod from MT Shooter. Works well.
They are optical sights designed for guns, first o... (show quote)


You left me with nothing more to ask from an equipment standpoint !!! Thanks for the links. Planning to do some acquisitioning tonight. One more question - what focus mode do you use and where do you center the focus point ?

Thanks for the really useful information.
-- k --

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 17:09:12   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
PGHphoto wrote:
Appreciate the information. I am already using BBF so thats one less learning curve ! I did PP but try to leave the results in a realistic form. I know you are not suggesting it but I don't like the Thomas Kinkade painting look that some folks go for so I may have been a little too conservative with my saturation/vibrance. I am also thinking that my focus was not forward enough - especially with the F16 - so the small lag between focus and shot shifted the focus point backward. I have a pretty good idea when shooting race cars how to compensate for the movement by panning and also how to position myself for the best shot. I find it challenging that for some reason the airports don't allow you to stand on the runways !!! Don't they know that would make for some great photos ??

Where do you center your focus when shooting airplanes - especially high speed jets?
Thanks again for your help.

-- k --
Appreciate the information. I am already using BBF... (show quote)


I'm always trying to aim at the center to forward with a hope and a prayer, so to speak. I tend to like my airplanes a little contrasty so thus my comment. Not sure what the "Kinkade painting look" is, although I know who he was. Would be interested in seeing an example of that look. I actually stood between the runways and got shots last year at one event: I just headed on out and took the shots like I should be there. I attend fairly small events, more rural airports where I live. This last shoot they had the runway cordoned off for people to stay back and I simply asked a guy in an airport work truck if I could stand beside the runway and he said "sure." I'm usually pretty forward on trying to get the shot. I figure all they can say is "no" and I've heard that before.

Reply
Jun 26, 2017 17:27:07   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
PGHphoto wrote:
You left me with nothing more to ask from an equipment standpoint !!! Thanks for the links. Planning to do some acquisitioning tonight. One more question - what focus mode do you use and where do you center the focus point ?

Thanks for the really useful information.
-- k --

I mostly use One Shot on still subjects with center point focus on the eye/head or other feature if it isn't a critter/bird. On the moving ones I try for the body/head and use center point or expanded center point and AI Servo.
The AI Focus is a compromise that slows things while the processor decides if the subject is still or moving and the very highest end models don't even have it. I have never used it.
When doing birds that come to an expected point like a feeder I often pre-focus on the feeder, branch etc and take shots when the birds move into the zone. Just like in the old days before AF came along.

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Jun 27, 2017 07:13:30   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
Beautiful

Reply
Jun 27, 2017 08:53:51   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
PGHphoto wrote:
Finally took the opportunity to shoot an air show. While I got some decent shots, it is very apparent I need more practice (a LOT more) ! I have done Car and boat racing but they tend to run in predictable 'followable' patterns at relatively low speeds compared to the jets. Got some good shots of prop planes but focus on the jets was not easy. Below are some of the better photos but still kind of embarrassing ...

All shot hand-held with a 70D and an older Sigma 100-500 with no stabilization. Took initial metering and shot f7 @ 1/1000 and 400 ISO. Probably should have pushed the ISO and went higher shutter speed ? Any suggestions on airshow photography ? I have seen some impressive plane shots here - look dorward to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance
-- k --
Finally took the opportunity to shoot an air show.... (show quote)


Hand holding is best - and that means smaller lighter lenses are best which means high MP crop frame bodies are best.

There is a point where the size and weight of the lens for hand holding becomes detrimental to the point where using a support of some kind makes better sense than hand holding - like a body pod with facial stabilizer or monopod - in that order.

IMO, 1/1000 is probably a little slow for hand holding a large/heavy lens- yes. - but OK for smaller and/or supported lenses - but also not good for prop blur.

Reply
Jun 27, 2017 19:52:49   #
ZPhoto Loc: Lancaster, PA
 
via the lens wrote:
"K,"

First off, don't be embarrassed at all. Photography is a continual learning process. I've only shot a couple of air shows and I think when you start shooting in some way new to you it takes a bit of practice. Obviously, the photos you posted are not sharp. So getting sharp shots with the correct composition is difficult when things are moving fast. I shot my last show hand-held, using a Nikon D500 and a Nikon 80-400 lens. I've included a few pics from a recent show, two hours standing off the runway in 104 degrees!! and the heat caused the images to have a heat shimmer in some cases, which I liked.

Here is some of what I do: Set my camera so that I have the fastest shutter speed possible for the given conditions; if it's bright, which it normally is, the ISO will be fairly low even at high shutter speeds. I set my f/stop around f/5.6 or so. Shutter speed is my primary concern for moving objects. Try to find that shutter spot where the plane is sharp but the rotors (right word? don't know anything about planes) will be slightly blurred to show motion, although this is not always possible. Watch the pattern for the take offs and landings and watch the area where the planes are sitting as planning ahead helps a lot. Start to follow the plane with your camera as soon as it begins to move down the runway and constantly focus on it, as it starts to lift off focus as needed and follow the plane with your camera and turning body (use your body as a brace to hold the camera steady) as it moves down the runway and leaves your sight, do not stop taking a photo until it is gone as some drama may occur that you will otherwise miss. Moving shots take practice. I use back-button autofocus but you will need to learn how to do this long before you go out to take shots that you want to keep, so practice with it first. Leave your lens opening wider in order to get the entire plane in until you learn how to set your sites quickly on moving objects, most often you will want to get the entire plane in the image. Also, it looks like your shots needed some editing, maybe a bit of clarity or a tone curve, they are somewhat flat. Watch the background, it can be difficult to find a decent background in some cases. Again, knowing the landing and take off area and following the plane through the process can help with this. Keep practicing, as will I!
"K," br br First off, don't be embarras... (show quote)


For prop aircraft, you shouldn't really use a shutter speed faster than 1/250....you might be able to push to 1/320 but you'll probably freeze the prop. For jets, the faster the better as you won't have motion to show....unless you have some background in the shot you want to blur.

Reply
Jun 27, 2017 22:03:03   #
PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
Thanks all for the great suggestions for technique and gear. can't wait for the next show!

-- k --

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