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Ocean City MD air show
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Jun 11, 2019 15:29:48   #
bobbygee
 
Hello everyone,

I wanted to reach out to anyone who has attended the Ocean City MD air show and specifically, which lenses to bring and which ones to leave home. Nikon D500, zooms from 10mm to 500mm--which worked for you and which ones stayed in the bag. I'm looking for perspective here, how near or far they may come in and not advice on how to pan, AF mode, etc. My wife and I will be in a reserved section on the beach, so it's not being shot from a hotel balcony 2 blocks away.

Thanks in advance and keep on shootin'

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Jun 11, 2019 15:54:30   #
RichinSeattle
 
bobbygee wrote:
Hello everyone,

I wanted to reach out to anyone who has attended the Ocean City MD air show and specifically, which lenses to bring and which ones to leave home. Nikon D500, zooms from 10mm to 500mm--which worked for you and which ones stayed in the bag. I'm looking for perspective here, how near or far they may come in and not advice on how to pan, AF mode, etc. …


I'm not sure what you're asking here, but the performing aircraft will be at least 1/4 mile from you so, obviously, you'll need the longest lens you've got.. They, by FAA rules, are required to do all stunts, flybys, etc. over the runway, and never over the crowd.

I always use manual focus, set to near infinity, high ISO, nearly wide open aperture (depth of field will not be an issue), and the fastest shutter speed I've got.


(Download)

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Jun 11, 2019 15:57:43   #
bobbygee
 
Thanks. The 1/4 mile you mentioned was my first concern and what you have mentioned for aperture, shutter and ISO (high ISO or auto?) issues transfer from the sports photography I do. Which lens did you use for this shot?

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Jun 11, 2019 16:01:09   #
RichinSeattle
 
bobbygee wrote:
Thanks. The 1/4 mile you mentioned was my first concern and what you have mentioned for aperture, shutter and ISO (high ISO or auto?) issues transfer from the sports photography I do. Which lens did you use for this shot?


This was probably my Nikkor 70-300 (on my D800), set at 300. Still required much cropping.

BTW, shutter speed is the critical factor. (This was at 1/8000 sec.)

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Jun 11, 2019 16:14:37   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
I've seen the Blue Angels at several locations. Although I've been to Ocean City several times, it's never been there for the airshow. I'd expect they'll be as close to the crowd as this image below from Jacksonville, captured at 420mm on a full-frame camera. You should be able to use a 70-300 zoom on a cropped body.

You can click the URL link for all the EXIF data. Of course the specifics of your position and the light will dictate your exact settings, but I try for f/11 and 1/1000 to 1/1600 to freeze the jets and to capture all four (or six) planes in sharp focus, using a hand-held camera with both the Auto-Focus and Image Stabilization active for the lens and camera.

I use high-speed continuous on the drive mode and AI Servo for AF focus mode (Canon's continuous AF mode). Track the planes (enable the AF) as they approach, but release the shutter only when they approach the closest to your position and stop the burst once they move away. For the several times the two solo planes fly at each other during the show, watch where they cross. There should be a boat in the water marking that position. Pick one of the two to track and release the shutter burst right as the plane reaches the crossing point, with more luck than skill (at least for me), you should catch one frame with both planes.

US Navy Blue Angels by Paul Sager, on Flickr

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Jun 11, 2019 17:08:40   #
bobbygee
 
Thanks and great photos! Ocean City will be over the water so I will definitely look for a spotter boat.

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Jun 12, 2019 06:56:52   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
bobbygee wrote:
Hello everyone,

I wanted to reach out to anyone who has attended the Ocean City MD air show and specifically, which lenses to bring and which ones to leave home. Nikon D500, zooms from 10mm to 500mm--which worked for you and which ones stayed in the bag. I'm looking for perspective here, how near or far they may come in and not advice on how to pan, AF mode, etc. My wife and I will be in a reserved section on the beach, so it's not being shot from a hotel balcony 2 blocks away.

Thanks in advance and keep on shootin'
Hello everyone, br br I wanted to reach out to an... (show quote)


My settings for air shows.
1. lens, Nikon 300mm f4
2. 2 camera bodies, one with a wide angle lens, my choice, the Nikon 24 mm 1.8
3. VR cannot keep up with panning, turn off, most of the time I am shooting faster than 1/500 sec. anyway
4. Group auto focus
5. continuous auto focus
6. center weighted
7. aperture priority
8. settings for propeller planes/ 1/125 sec. or slower

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Jun 12, 2019 07:35:26   #
AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio
 
RichinSeattle wrote:
I'm not sure what you're asking here, but the performing aircraft will be at least 1/4 mile from you so, obviously, you'll need the longest lens you've got.. They, by FAA rules, are required to do all stunts, flybys, etc. over the runway, and never over the crowd.

I always use manual focus, set to near infinity, high ISO, nearly wide open aperture (depth of field will not be an issue), and the fastest shutter speed I've got.


Holy cow richinseattle. There is more noise in your photo than aircraft! You need to try some new settings.

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Jun 12, 2019 07:38:25   #
AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio
 
Did you see what billnikon posted? Read it again and pay attention to it.

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Jun 12, 2019 07:50:51   #
bobbygee
 
Thanks for that info. My first thought was a 200-500 and my 12-24 on a D3 and D500. The show I am shooting is Sunday so I thought I'd get some practice on Saturday. Your suggestions in 5, 6 and 7 are my sports starting points. Again, thanks for your very useful info.
Keep on shootin'......

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Jun 12, 2019 07:53:14   #
bobbygee
 
Yes Airwater, I saw his response and I have already thanked him. You guys are the best for getting direct and useful info and thanks to all of you. I don't post much because I can usually get insight and info from reading most of the responses! Thanks again and keep on shootin'.......................

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Jun 12, 2019 11:04:32   #
jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ
 
where are they flying from? OC airport is only 4070' in length. Salisbury?? where will be "center" for the show?

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Jun 12, 2019 11:07:01   #
jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ
 
Ahhh.. just saw the show site. Enjoy the show. Did't have air shows like that when I was policeman there in OC.

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Jun 12, 2019 12:17:17   #
bobbygee
 
jayluber wrote:
Ahhh.. just saw the show site. Enjoy the show. Did't have air shows like that when I was policeman there in OC.


The 50 yard line (their term lol) is 17th street. I’m not familiar with that part of Maryland so I’m not sure where they are coming from. I live near the former Willow Grove NAS and the shows stopped when they closed the base down-film days lol.

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Jun 12, 2019 16:54:58   #
buckscop Loc: Bucks County PA
 
Maybe NAS Patuxent IN MD?

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