Air show question
Oct 5, 2014 11:40:29 #
dlmorris wrote:
I'll be going to an air show Sunday, where among other things, the Blue Angels will be flying. I'll take my Tamron 150-600. The question is, should I lug around a tripod and gemble head, or would it be better to just try for hand held?
No to the tripod and probably no to the monopod. The tripod will be in the way of other people and will make it hard for you to move or to aim over your head. A monopod might be good for low passes of aircraft, but when you shoot over your head you have two problems: you will have to lift the monopod up, causing it to swing out where it might hit others; you will have to lift the monopod up, adding its weight to that of an already heavy camera and lens. Go hand-held. Here's a little tip - adjust the length of your camera strap so you can use the tripod mounting ring on your lens to hook over your belt, helping to support some of the camera/lens weight as well as to keep it close to your body.
Oct 5, 2014 11:40:57 #
I usually end up leaving the tripod or monopod in the truck, seems more practical to be mobile. I like to grab a little bit of everything, including static displays, people etc, and its just less to mess with.
https://www.facebook.com/bill.hurst.5/media_set?set=a.757872427590632.1073741831.100001036459131&type=3
https://www.facebook.com/bill.hurst.5/media_set?set=a.757872427590632.1073741831.100001036459131&type=3
Oct 5, 2014 11:46:05 #
dlmorris wrote:
I like that shoulder rig! Been wondering where to get something like that. The main reason for using the Tamron 150-600 is because it seems sharper than my Tamron 16-300. I'll try both.
I picked mine up at an estate sale for next to nothing, now I just keep my D5100 mounted on it with the 55-300 kit lens.
Oct 5, 2014 12:08:34 #
Been doing Air Shows for years, sometimes lucky, sometimes not, but when your there with your camera and lens your halfway there. Practice on slow movers going by, when you get a good one you get to know what you can do. NO Tri Pod or Mono-Pod as they just get in the way. It's fun trying and sometimes you really may impress yourself. My best are as they are approaching or departing as they are at least a little stationary. Have Fun !
Oct 5, 2014 12:16:57 #
It's a hassle to drag the equipment but it's worth it......gimbal heads are great for air shows. Good luck and have fun. I was able to shoot the Thunderbirds a couple of years ago it was a blast.
Oct 5, 2014 12:18:31 #
Erik_H wrote:
I've never shot an air show :( but it seems to me that you would be using shutter speeds around 1500 - 2000, and wouldn't need support anyway. Am I missing something?
You are missing something. For propeller-driven aircraft, that is way too fast. It stops the prop and you want a good bit of blur or it looks dumb. For jets, it is fine.
Oct 5, 2014 12:34:45 #
CaptainC wrote:
You are missing something. For propeller-driven aircraft, that is way too fast. It stops the prop and you want a good bit of blur or it looks dumb. For jets, it is fine.
Thanks, I hadn't thought about prop blur, makes sense.
Oct 5, 2014 14:03:59 #
I just went to an air show, I had a good location, with no advance advice I learned a lot on the "fly". ha ha
I would have been better off with a 200 0r 300mm f2.8 with or without a 1.4x tc. with the vr or steady shot turned off. this was for the fly by's. I was using a 100-300mm short light weight lens that was too slow at auto focusing.
a 70-200mm G lens would have been nice BUT mine is toooo heavy. I found that my best results was with the camera hand held.
I would have been better off with a 200 0r 300mm f2.8 with or without a 1.4x tc. with the vr or steady shot turned off. this was for the fly by's. I was using a 100-300mm short light weight lens that was too slow at auto focusing.
a 70-200mm G lens would have been nice BUT mine is toooo heavy. I found that my best results was with the camera hand held.
Oct 5, 2014 14:10:32 #
CaptainC wrote:
You are missing something. For propeller-driven aircraft, that is way too fast. It stops the prop and you want a good bit of blur or it looks dumb. For jets, it is fine.
^^^The Captain is right.
Blur is important with propellers and helicopter rotors.
The shutter speeds will vary though depending on engine speed and even the type of engine. For example, a reciprocating engine on an old bi-plane with spin at a slower speed than the turboprop on a big C-130 at full throttle on take-off.
You'll need to experiment. Depending on lighting (intensity and direction) you can shoot some subjects and get realistic blur anywhere from 1/50 through 1/500 of a second. Maybe higher if you have a real high-speed prop.
If you can practice at a General Aviation airport to get a feel for switching shutter speeds while tracking an airplane in flight it will prepare you somewhat for the show.
GOOD LUCK!
Oct 5, 2014 14:11:33 #
Oct 5, 2014 14:34:07 #
Erik_H wrote:
I've never shot an air show :( but it seems to me that you would be using shutter speeds around 1500 - 2000, and wouldn't need support anyway. Am I missing something?
If you are shooting planes with props. or helicopters you need a maximum of 500th or the props / rotor blades will lack motion blur.
Oct 5, 2014 14:43:16 #
Thanks guys. I used to go to the airshows at Belle Chasse NAS back in the 90's, but that was before I got back into photography. I did some looking and apparently, they don't have them here anymore. :(
Oct 5, 2014 14:49:49 #
I was there yesterday and shot with a sony A65 with a Tamron 18 to 270 my biggest problem was the intensity of the sun. next time I go I will buy tickets for the grandstand that way everything is in front of you and you only have to deal with the people in front of you.it was so crouded you couldnt get close to the front of the crowd and if you did everyone had unbrelas set up and you couldnt see over them.most of the people were shooting hand held.Hope you have fun and drink plenty of water it was 95 on the flightline with no shade anywhere.
Oct 5, 2014 15:14:19 #
romanticf16
Loc: Commerce Twp, MI
Erik_H wrote:
I've never shot an air show :( but it seems to me that you would be using shutter speeds around 1500 - 2000, and wouldn't need support anyway. Am I missing something?
250-320 for prop blur on the WWII birds.
Oct 5, 2014 15:16:09 #
romanticf16
Loc: Commerce Twp, MI
I'd go to Moose Peterson's Website and check out his posts on plane photography. Lots of tips there for on the ground and air to air captures. If it is a Military base, check their equipment restrictions. Selfridge AFB in MI doesn't allow any backpacks or bags other than infant necessities for spectators at air shows.
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