ggttc Loc: TN

Going to an airshow this weekend...( Air Over Georgia)...any of you folks have advice on shutter speed to get that blur on props? In my prior shots of prop aircraft the props are either stopped or invisible.

Thanks in advance.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

This was taken at 1/500 just a bit too fast to catch noticeable blur, and he had just started so the RPM's were a bit slow. Later on I took several shots of planes doing a fly-by at 1/1500 and they had almost no blur, but I was shooting at almost 90 degrees to the flight path. If I shoot the show again--this year it conflicted with a sailboat race--I think I'll try about 1/1200.

Good luck and post some shots!

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Unless you're a master at panning, there's a good chance that with the shutterspeed needed to blur the prop, you'll also blur the aircraft (don't ask me how I know....).
If the aircraft are stationary, a slo-o-o-o-w shutterspeed with an ND filter on your lens, will give some degree of success.
I've only had one "practice session": we were near a forest fire and we could get to the bank of a small lake where the the helicopters came to fill up their buckets. While they were filling the buckets they hovered almost motionless, except for the blades, quite close to the water. It was a surprise and I was so not prepared, didn't even own an ND filter at the time.
A couple of years ago, at the airshow in Wetaskiwin, AB, we had chairs with adjustable backs. I'd set mine to lean back a fair bit, and took a good number of photos, all handheld. Sun behind us and the area where the planes did their stunts, in front of us. Bright sunny day, perfect for fast shutterspeed, and I got a good number of keepers.
The lens I used at that time was a Zuiko 4/3 70-300mm.
As to the exact settings, or even the exact ND filter to use if you go that route, my suggestion would be to try and get to the airfield early, and take some test shots. You can probably enlarge them on your LCD to inspect, or if you have the space in your camerabag, take a notebook or tablet along to view.
Weather and available light, even the direction of the light, play a role, but in general: slow shutterspeed (1/60, 1/100 second), medium aperture (f8, f11), and low ISO (100, 200). BUT: these are the settings from my memory, yours may work out totally different. Test shots is the key!

ggttc Loc: TN

here is an idea of what I want to try to avoid...

The B17 looks like its just hanging there shot at 1/800...we were shooting osprey in flight...when this bird flew over...

twowindsbear

From what you've said here, you need an 'intermediate' shutter speed. The speed that you used that 'stopped' the props was too fast, and the shutter speed that made them 'invisible' was too slow. Maybe try an 'average' of the 2 to start? Bracket your speeds & 'chimp' until you nail the effect you want, then 'fire away' at that setting. When you DO decide on a shutter speed, use shutter priority or manual so the camera won't change the shutter speed like it would if you used the 'wrong' mode.

Good luck!

thomseninc

If you get lucky and they offer ($$$) rides, do it. This was shot at ISO 200, f9, 1/250s. A half hour in a B-17 was worth $150. I was so stoked by the sounds and the smells that I went home and watched Gregory Peck in 12 O'Clock High one more time!

ggttc Loc: TN

Thanks!...

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

A rule of thumb, and a good starting place, is, when they are under power (throttle open) 1/400 sec. Landing, or throttle closed 1/320 sec. idle on the ground 1/250 sec.
Of course this varies with different engines to some degree.
The old radials being much slower. The WW II fighters are faster. I usually switch from manual to shutter priority with prop aircraft. Hope this helps! I would be glad to show examples if you like!

Phil

ggttc Loc: TN

Yes I would like...sounds like solid advice to me

tsilva Loc: Arizona

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

This was shot at 1/320 second on landing, I will be back later today and will be glad to help any way I can!

Phil

(Download)

Glaspark Loc: Glasgow, Scotland

Merlin helicopter taken at Scottish Airshow, Ayr 5th September 2015.
F20, ISO 160, 1/80

Merlin

(Download)

kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY

$150 for 30 minutes in a B-17 is a GREAT price! It's $450 for the group that tours the Northeast. (based in Vermont). Would love to do it. $450 would be worth it. Hell, I dropped $500 to turn 8 hot laps (solo) at Pocono in a Sprint Cup car. It was less than 30 minutes.

Ken S.

Stash Loc: South Central Massachusetts

[quote=thomseninc]If you get lucky and they offer ($$$) rides, do it. . A half hour in a B-17 was worth $150.

I would have loved to ride in the B-17 but the show I went to was getting around $425.00 for a half hour.

ggttc Loc: TN

Thanks...that's the effect I am looking for