Help needed for air show: For panning photos of an air show, should I be in shutter priority? If so, what shutter speed? I believe I also should have continuous shot (instead of singe...

rizer Loc: Long Island, NY

For panning photos of an air show, should I be in shutter priority? If so, what shutter speed? I believe I also should have continuous shot (instead of singe shot). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It depends. I like to see some prop blur so when prop planes are flying I shoot in TV between 160th and 400th of a second. But, I chimp a little to make sure I'm getting the rest as sharp as possible. If not, I increase my shutter speed until it is sharp. Knowing how to pan is key to getting good sharp images.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

rizer wrote:

For panning photos of an air show, should I be in shutter priority? If so, what shutter speed? I believe I also should have continuous shot (instead of singe shot). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

My recommended minimum shutter speed for planes in-flight would be 1/400th.

BUT, that also depends on what lens you're using, and how high an ISO you're willing to use.

Listing your gear would really assist us in giving you good advice.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you are shooting jets, shutter speed can be 1000 + and aperture priority. If you are shooting propeller planes and want some prop blur, you want 500 or slower and shutter priority to guarantee this. I found that single shot worked better for me - in continuous, focus was more erratic. You are basically shooting near infinity where, if you stop down a stop or two DOF takes care of you for all practical purposes. Actually, I would have preferred to have been in manual focus at or near infinity - but was affraid of bumping/moving the focus ring while shooting - if I had some tape to tape it I would have ! As soon as you want a ground based image, you need to be back in AF though !

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jeep_daddy wrote:

It depends. I like to see some prop blur so when prop planes are flying I shoot in TV between 160th and 400th of a second. But, I chimp a little to make sure I'm getting the rest as sharp as possible. If not, I increase my shutter speed until it is sharp. Knowing how to pan is key to getting good sharp images.

I think spinning props make the image look real. Some people like to freeze them. Stand or park a safe distance from a highway and practice panning with the traffic and see how that works. Experiment with ISO, shutter, and aperture. Unfortunately, unless someone drives past with a 1950's Crosley, you won't see any spinning propellers.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

jerryc41 wrote:

I think spinning props make the image look real. Some people like to freeze them. Stand or park a safe distance from a highway and practice panning with the traffic and see how that works. Experiment with ISO, shutter, and aperture. Unfortunately, unless someone drives past with a 1950's Crosley, you won't see any spinning propellers.

Jerry;

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rizer Loc: Long Island, NY

Thank you all for your advice, I am probably bringing down my SONY NEX-6, using the kit lens 16mm-55mm. There are going to be prop planes, but the Blue Angels close the show.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

imagemeister wrote:

If you are shooting jets, shutter speed can be 100... (show quote)

I had a note for prop blur, use 250th for shutter.
I have never tried it.
Looking forward to seeing results!
Pat

GPS Phil Loc: Dayton Ohio

rizer wrote:

For panning photos of an air show, should I be in shutter priority? If so, what shutter speed? I believe I also should have continuous shot (instead of singe shot). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I shoot a lot of light aircraft in flight, I use a 70-200 2.8 lens, hand held. Using a D7100 I set it on Shutter priority and keep the ISO at or below 800. Always take note of the type of engine your shooting ( old radial or newer opposed engines with higher RPM ). Full throttle/open 1/500 sec. will usually work, throttle back/closed, or when landing, 1/320sec will get you what I call acceptable prop blur. The old radial engines sometimes need 1/250th sec to make it look right. And as someone all ready stated, jets, use 1/1000 or higher. If it's possible, position yourself close to their final approach on landing. The closer the better.
Consider all of this my suggestion and not a rule. Just someplace to start to save time working out your own equations. Hope this helps. An example is posted to show you that it works.

(Download)

rizer Loc: Long Island, NY

Thank you all. Going tomorrow. We will see how I do.

Bill Hurst Loc: Red Oak, Tx

Have fun and catch the whole story if there are a lot of static displays on the ground too. The Blue Angels were in Fort Worth last month, never miss it when they come to north Texas.

https://www.facebook.com/bill.hurst.5/media_set?set=a.757872427590632.1073741831.100001036459131&type=3

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

rizer wrote:

For panning photos of an air show, should I be in shutter priority? If so, what shutter speed? I believe I also should have continuous shot (instead of singe shot). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

If you are specifically asking about panning, you need to be full manual. Panning is a technique where you move your camera across the scene keeping you subject in the center of your viewfinder. Then snapping at the right moment. This puts your subject in sharp focus, while blurring the background. And shutter speed/aperture depend on what the light is and DoF you want. take some practice shots you should be able to nail it down in a shot or two., but panning takes some practive.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

Capture48 wrote:

If you are specifically asking about panning, you need to be full manual. Panning is a technique where you move your camera across the scene keeping you subject in the center of your viewfinder. Then snapping at the right moment. This puts your subject in sharp focus, while blurring the background. And shutter speed/aperture depend on what the light is and DoF you want. take some practice shots you should be able to nail it down in a shot or two., but panning takes some practive.

Here is an example, the boat is moving at over 100mph. I moved the camera left to right across the frame with the boats movement. 1/100th at f/18. I really wanted everything to blur except the boat. This shot I actually shot in aperture priority to see what it would give me, so it will work that way.

Yes, you can shoot continuous, but all shots you have to be following the boat.

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SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

The planes will be flying faster than you expect. So, be prepared to shoot rapidly, and in every direction.

It might be too late for your show this weekend, but here are some airshow videos, so you have an idea what to expect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwjcvDxJ5rI

Have fun, and don't worry about the shots you miss.

Poison Ivey Loc: Mtn Brook, AL

No discussion about Exposure? The planes are back Lightrd, so if you are not using Spot Meter, I would think one would open up f setting by +2, but experiment.