Brian_S
Active member
haha...had me fooled also till i took a double take, not often you see an F-16 with conformal fuel tanks, especially in north america which caused the double take
Which lenses for an Air Show?
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RHPVideo
New member
I'm in the same boat. Sorta.. I'm doing my first Air Show in October. Thankfully, the Blue Angels will be performing so that's a big plus.
I will be using my Nikon D850 and I just purchased the Nikon 200-500mm lens for the show. I also purchased the TC-14E but probably won't use it. My only real issue is what else to take for the static displays since I do not own a wide zoom at all. All my lenses are Prime for the Wide end. I have the 24mm f/1.8G, 35mm f/1.8G, 50mm f/1.8D, and 85mm f/1.4G. I do also have the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8E FL as well. My issue is that I don't want to be carrying a lot of equipment. I was thinking of using my Nikon D700 for the 2nd body for statics but Not sure which lens would be best to fit it with that could work all around. I'm leaning towards either the 24mm or the 35mm. Any advice would be appreciated.
Marcepan
Well-known member
This question is very difficult, because the answer depends on many factors.
Based on my experience, I would take 200-500 and 70-200. I would give up the wide angle - that doesn't mean it can't be used creatively.
14mm:
Based on my experience, I would take 200-500 and 70-200. I would give up the wide angle - that doesn't mean it can't be used creatively.
14mm:
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Rigor
Member
I was at the air show in NY this past weekend. I brought my Z9 with 180-400 TC and Z6III with Tamron 35-150. I was very glad to have the zoom capability and the built-in TC; I wasn't quite as good at swapping cameras. I do wish I'd researched each group's choreography a little more. Both cameras were great at locking on to the planes and following them through obstructions and maneuvers. I was able to handhold the 180-400 for the whole show, but once or twice wished I'd brought the Z100-400 instead for easier handling on quick pans and that wider short end.
I was in the photo pit; I don't think I'll do that again at this show -- unless you're one of the first 6-8 photogs through the doors, you're better off elsewhere. I had more people walk in front of my lens than last year in general admission; I'm not very tall and for the low passes I just couldn't get a clean track over the front rows. It was also pretty far off of Show Center. Next year I'll reserve a seat upfront in the preferred seating and have better sight lines.
My hat goes out to those of you who get such great shots of prop planes! I did get a few that I like but I missed so very many. Still working through the day but here are a few shots.
I was in the photo pit; I don't think I'll do that again at this show -- unless you're one of the first 6-8 photogs through the doors, you're better off elsewhere. I had more people walk in front of my lens than last year in general admission; I'm not very tall and for the low passes I just couldn't get a clean track over the front rows. It was also pretty far off of Show Center. Next year I'll reserve a seat upfront in the preferred seating and have better sight lines.
My hat goes out to those of you who get such great shots of prop planes! I did get a few that I like but I missed so very many. Still working through the day but here are a few shots.
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I agree with Marcepan and would bring the 200-500 and the 70-200. If you wanted to bring a third lens, I would go with the 24mm, to give you the option of some good wide angle shots of large planes like a C-5 or C-17, if they have any of those planes on the ground. I wouldn't bother with the TC either. The D850 and 200-500 is a great combo. I posted some of these shots in another thread, but they were all taken with the D850 and 200-500 of the Blue Angels at winter training at El Centro NAS.
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Brian_S
Active member
someone needs to put in a suggestion for a transportation forum 
Marcepan
Well-known member
The machine is piloted here by Vari Gyula - a great Hungarian pilot, a retired military man, who previously flew the MiG 29. He flies like crazy
Gio
Member
I had difficulties getting my images to load- Thanx Chat GPT This post is from 1 August 2024 and 2 August 2024.
I shoot for pleasure and consider myself a good hack. Living in Maine, we host the Blue Angels at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. This year the Thunderbirds visited. Last Thursday they landed at BNAS for the weekend show. I used to work in Brunswick and I've watched the Blue Angels practice on Thursday and Friday for the upcoming weekend show. It did not disappoint. Thursday I planned what I though was an early arrival only to get there just after they started. I was forced to shoot from Bath Road at the end of the runway. I shoot with my Nikon Z 9 and had my Nikkor 800mm PF 6.3 on the body. It was too much lens for shooting especially when I was literally shooting overhead. i FIRST PIC ISO 640 f-8 1/1250 +1 EV ( I slowed this down because this was the final approach and I wanted to get my ISO down) I got several good looks and shots but it was too much lens at 800- lots of shots with 3 out of 4 jets in the frame shot within close range.
On Friday I thought they would practice at 3PM , like in years past, but they were in the air at 10AM . I was 5 minutes out and arrived with the 800 still mounted. I wanted to shoot with my Nikon 500 PF 5.6 but did not want to miss the flybys- so I shot with the 800. I was shooting near midway and thought I'd be ok. I did get one of my best shots with the 800. ( I'd like to point out- this was 10AM and at the temperature and humidity were about to build- so these images are crisper. I often wondered why they bring the show stoppers at 3PM on the day of the show- when the heat and humidity are usually much higher... and more visible humidity.
SECOND PIC ISO 500 f-8 1/3200 sec 0 EV
Fortunately , they were going back up at 3 as I expected, so I switched to my 500 PF 5.5 I've shot with this before my 800 and i love this lens. I had many more keepers with all the jets in the frame- not 3.5 planes with the 800.
THIRD PIC ISO 500 f-8 1/3200 sec 0 EV
@FastGlassGuy has the best tip- try to get in the front row to track the planes coming down the runway. Heads Tents Buildings will hamper getting epic shots like FastGlassGuys shot oif the F 18 with the vapor wreath surrounding the jet. I usually shoot with f-8 but after seeing lots of great images, I'd shoot with a lower f-stop for lower ISO Shoot as fast as you can. I know new software will help with noise, but I still love to shoot as low ISO as I can. I shoot birds occasionally with Auto ISO , but I personally dont like to use Auto ISO. and I usually test shots to see whether I need to adjust the Bias. You will shoot across and down the runway as well in the stratosphere. I find what I like best for both because I have a hard time with speed and ISO and there is no way I can adjust EV too.
I shoot for pleasure and consider myself a good hack. Living in Maine, we host the Blue Angels at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. This year the Thunderbirds visited. Last Thursday they landed at BNAS for the weekend show. I used to work in Brunswick and I've watched the Blue Angels practice on Thursday and Friday for the upcoming weekend show. It did not disappoint. Thursday I planned what I though was an early arrival only to get there just after they started. I was forced to shoot from Bath Road at the end of the runway. I shoot with my Nikon Z 9 and had my Nikkor 800mm PF 6.3 on the body. It was too much lens for shooting especially when I was literally shooting overhead. i FIRST PIC ISO 640 f-8 1/1250 +1 EV ( I slowed this down because this was the final approach and I wanted to get my ISO down) I got several good looks and shots but it was too much lens at 800- lots of shots with 3 out of 4 jets in the frame shot within close range.
On Friday I thought they would practice at 3PM , like in years past, but they were in the air at 10AM . I was 5 minutes out and arrived with the 800 still mounted. I wanted to shoot with my Nikon 500 PF 5.6 but did not want to miss the flybys- so I shot with the 800. I was shooting near midway and thought I'd be ok. I did get one of my best shots with the 800. ( I'd like to point out- this was 10AM and at the temperature and humidity were about to build- so these images are crisper. I often wondered why they bring the show stoppers at 3PM on the day of the show- when the heat and humidity are usually much higher... and more visible humidity.
SECOND PIC ISO 500 f-8 1/3200 sec 0 EV
Fortunately , they were going back up at 3 as I expected, so I switched to my 500 PF 5.5 I've shot with this before my 800 and i love this lens. I had many more keepers with all the jets in the frame- not 3.5 planes with the 800.
THIRD PIC ISO 500 f-8 1/3200 sec 0 EV
@FastGlassGuy has the best tip- try to get in the front row to track the planes coming down the runway. Heads Tents Buildings will hamper getting epic shots like FastGlassGuys shot oif the F 18 with the vapor wreath surrounding the jet. I usually shoot with f-8 but after seeing lots of great images, I'd shoot with a lower f-stop for lower ISO Shoot as fast as you can. I know new software will help with noise, but I still love to shoot as low ISO as I can. I shoot birds occasionally with Auto ISO , but I personally dont like to use Auto ISO. and I usually test shots to see whether I need to adjust the Bias. You will shoot across and down the runway as well in the stratosphere. I find what I like best for both because I have a hard time with speed and ISO and there is no way I can adjust EV too.
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Marcepan
Well-known member
Maybe one day I'll see Thunderbirds live. It would be beautiful.
The photo shows probably the best F-16 pilot I have ever seen. Incredible maneuvers, perfect, masterful control of the machine. Over 6,000 hours of flight on this machine. Steven de Vries "Vrieske".
Long focal length here (500mm).
The photo shows probably the best F-16 pilot I have ever seen. Incredible maneuvers, perfect, masterful control of the machine. Over 6,000 hours of flight on this machine. Steven de Vries "Vrieske".
Long focal length here (500mm).
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Darrellhar
Well-known member
I was one of those first 6 people (yes I'm crazy). Usually the pit is a lot closer to show center than it was this year. I'm hoping they listen and move it again for next year. Looks like they set center at the stage which was a new thing this year. Not many airshows around this area so unfortunately there isn't much to pick from.
Rigor
Member
Good on you! I'd have liked to have been up there but couldn't get there sooner. Good to know about the placement -- I was surprised because the pit was next to the Friends and Family tents, which are supposed to be within 60' of show center according to the official Thunderbirds guidance. I was there on Saturday, and to be honest, the formations seemed a little ragged. Maybe the poor weather during the week cut into practice time on the site. Still, all in all, a great show and I'm happy it's here. Hope the Blue Angels will return next year.
Darrellhar
Well-known member
The T-birds actually did their site survey Saturday morning because of the weather. No practice during the week there at all. We got to see T-bird 1, 5 and 6 flight modified version of show at 10am. Much better light on there at that time but only single plane shots. Crosses were off a little but the diamond formations for this years team are really tight in my opinion. I think Sunday show was better over all though across all acts. I didn't realize that F&F were supposed to be within 60' of center. Interesting stat. Hopefully they complain about that. I think the Pit was a little more crowded than usual (I think they sold more than 50 tickets) this year because of the Italians.
RHPVideo
New member
Thanks. Great shots by the way!I agree with Marcepan and would bring the 200-500 and the 70-200. If you wanted to bring a third lens, I would go with the 24mm, to give you the option of some good wide angle shots of large planes like a C-5 or C-17, if they have any of those planes on the ground. I wouldn't bother with the TC either. The D850 and 200-500 is a great combo. I posted some of these shots in another thread, but they were all taken with the D850 and 200-500 of the Blue Angels at winter training at El Centro NAS.View attachment 95368View attachment 95369View attachment 95370View attachment 95371View attachment 95372
I noticed some great new photos in the thread, which inspired me to share a recent picture.
I want to demonstrate the advantages of using a long focal length for capturing nearly flying planes. Tracking them can be challenging, but in my opinion, the 3D effect is quite pronounced. At this distance, it’s important that the pilot is rolling or flying sideways towards the camera; otherwise, one’ll likely capture a side or frontal view.
Distance: approximately 300-400m
Nearly full sensor width at 7860 px long edge
Cropped to 16:9
I want to demonstrate the advantages of using a long focal length for capturing nearly flying planes. Tracking them can be challenging, but in my opinion, the 3D effect is quite pronounced. At this distance, it’s important that the pilot is rolling or flying sideways towards the camera; otherwise, one’ll likely capture a side or frontal view.
Distance: approximately 300-400m
Nearly full sensor width at 7860 px long edge
Cropped to 16:9
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Nice control of shutter speed to get that classic prop blur!
RHPVideo
New member
As sleight as it is. I'd probably slow the shutter quite a bit more for more pronounced blur but that's just me. Still a really good pic though
Flyboy
Active member
I go as simple as possible whenever going to an Airshow or the race track. 1 camera, an all-arround zoom for the static displays, and always my 70-300 AF S tele. It's lighter.
Set as much as I can beforehand, because there is not a lot of time between sets. Shutter speed...propeller planes 1/250-1/400 sec. to provide good prop blur. ISO, as low as you can get away with, given lighting conditions. Jets, I start at 1/1000 sec., but lower works, too, depending on personal steadiness. Helicopters, enough so the main rotor shows rotation, avoiding the look of an insect pinned to a board.
At Airshows, shooting wide open is a possibility, given the distances required for spectators. Getting in position early is advised, but a person might have to deal with the shorter, rude person who arrived later, then tried to rest his tele lens on my shoulder for stability. A light snack is a goodness, as are a hat and sunglasses, too.
If you can get a photo credential, ear protection is advisable. If you wear a photo vest, an extra battery or two, memory card, sunscreen and water won't up the weight much. Know where the First Aid tent is, in case of need. Then....turn off the Electronic Master, and enjoy the show, or...scan the crowd for interesting people to photograph!
I remember in the dim past, a photog with the handle "Desert Rat" who made his 70-200 mm f/2.8 SING!
Set as much as I can beforehand, because there is not a lot of time between sets. Shutter speed...propeller planes 1/250-1/400 sec. to provide good prop blur. ISO, as low as you can get away with, given lighting conditions. Jets, I start at 1/1000 sec., but lower works, too, depending on personal steadiness. Helicopters, enough so the main rotor shows rotation, avoiding the look of an insect pinned to a board.
At Airshows, shooting wide open is a possibility, given the distances required for spectators. Getting in position early is advised, but a person might have to deal with the shorter, rude person who arrived later, then tried to rest his tele lens on my shoulder for stability. A light snack is a goodness, as are a hat and sunglasses, too.
If you can get a photo credential, ear protection is advisable. If you wear a photo vest, an extra battery or two, memory card, sunscreen and water won't up the weight much. Know where the First Aid tent is, in case of need. Then....turn off the Electronic Master, and enjoy the show, or...scan the crowd for interesting people to photograph!
I remember in the dim past, a photog with the handle "Desert Rat" who made his 70-200 mm f/2.8 SING!
Marcepan
Well-known member
Nice machine Tibor,
I like the background with clouds. For me, a good starting material for the final shot - in terms of framing and composition. I would give it more dynamics and energy, because I see that you shot it nicely and cleanly (there is quality).
I hope you won't be offended by these comments.
It's a pity that there is no additional category of photos on the forum (maybe "others"). It would be possible to comment on shots that are not only related to nature and landscapes.
I really like this shot. It has a unique perspective (which is what you for "shooting" for) and has a dynamic feel, aside from the technical excellence of the shot. Ken
Douglas L
Member
I have shot many airshow, 12 this year so far. Not once did I use a tripod. It just gets in the way and not fast enough to track some planes, for me anyway. In the last few years my airshow setups have been Sony 600 GM+1.4TC on one A1 and 200-600 on another A1. 840mm gets me some really closeup shots but sometimes parts of the plane got clipped when it gets too close and I don't have time to switch to the zoom setup. I don't need to hold the camera up for more then 30 seconds at a time so the weight isn't really a problem. I have been shooting with the Sony 300 GM+2X TC and the 100-400 GM quite a bit lately, depending of the subjects, shooting distance, location of the show, travel convenience...etc. If I can bring only one lens, it will be the 200-600. I think you will do fine hand holding the 600 TC.
From this year:
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