Lens choices for airshow

[IIIHobbs]

IIIHobbs - if you get to the airshow this weekend can you maybe post some 5D3 plus 300mm shots so that I can gauge what I might be able to achieve?
Thanks.

Sorry Guy, the Airshow did not happen for me.

[awinphoto]

Just remember to keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your surroundings... After last years National Championship Air Races in which a aircraft lost control and slammed into the tarmac where people were spectating, make sure if something happens, you can get up and go at a moments notice.  Lastly, usually unless your in a VIP area, there will be a lot of people around, so keep your gear close as it could be an easy opportunity to turn your head and have your lens missing.  As for lens choices, my vote goes to the 75-300 L lens...  70-200 is slightly too short. 

[Ayelike]

I'm heading to the Southport air show in a couple of weeks. After moving to a full frame (5D3) I'm no longer getting the reach from my 70-200 2.8 (non-IS) for this kind of event so I've just upgraded to the 70-200 2.8 IS II and the 2x Extender III.

I've heard mixed things about the extender but I think on a fast and sharp lens it should be ok. I'm also hoping the 5D3 tracking will help it keep up with moving subjects.

I'll have to wait and see - if it's rubbish then I'll send the extender back or keep it for much slower subjects. I wanted the 70-200mm IS II anyway so no problems there.

Great tips in this thread. Even though I'll have IS I still think I'll take a monopod to take the weight of the gear if nothing else. Will also help the IS and give me a smoother pan wit the IS in mode 2. It's a long day so loads of time to test a few different settings and shutter speeds.

We should all go away, get shooting, and post our results here.

[Chewy734]

I used the 100-400mm lens to take shots of planes in flight.  It seemed to work well as an all-around lens on a FF body for that purpose.

[emag]

My $.02.

Short answer:  take the 300, the 1.4 and the 24-105.  Bring the monopod.  I live near the Blue Angels home base and frequently spend time at the beach there, so many opportunities for aerial shots during practice, or training aircraft for newbie pilots - for pleasure, I'm a hobbyist and concentrate more on astrophotography.  200mm on FF is way too short; with the 2x it would do well, but I'd still prefer the 300.  My 300/4L (non-IS) does well and withstands cropping, I'd use it with a 1.4TC if I had one.  I have an old Sigma 400/5.6 Macro, weighs a ton, no aperture control, but a surprisingly sharp lens.  Gets heavy without a monopod.  For wide I'm limited to the Samyang 8mm, Tokina 11-16 and the depressingly-mediocre-at-best 28-135IS kit lens.  24-105 would do you well in that department.

[jsexton]

Shot an airshow in July with my 100-400 (occasional 24-70) and my d7.

http://www.rawlightphotos.com/Other/Air-Show/

[picturesbyme]

Shot one at the beach this summer. Mostly shutter p. mode, spot metering. AF (on servo) wasn't a prob at all, almost every shot was in focus so the 5d3 should nail 100%.
200mm 2.8L on a 60D, and many of my shots were too tight. Once I'll hit the lottery I'll get the 70-200 II. Until then I have to live with these.. (http://atlanticpicture.com/p361947354/h11793615#h11793615)









   

[GuyF]

Many good suggestions from all of you. At the moment I think I'll take the 17-40 for static aircraft, 70-200 for the Red Arrows where you need a slightly wider field of view and the 300/1.4TC for everything else. I don't think I'll take a monopod as it's just something else to carry and might be too restrictive for panning quickly (though will change my mind a few times between now and 3 weeks time!).

If any of you are interested in well shot, detailed/abstract images of a variety of aircraft I can highly recommend "In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight" by Caroline Russo. Top quality images that will give you plenty inspiration for shots that you may never otherwise think of.

Keep those airshow shots coming!

[westr70]

Keep those airshow shots coming!

This last weekend, August 25, 2012, we went on the SS Lane Victory cruise to Catalina in California.  Attacked by German planes and defended by US planes (all were AT-6 Texans).  Great fun, used my 100 - 400mm, f4.5 for the shots.  Shot most of them at 1/1600th but could have dropped the shutter a bit to catch more of the blur but was pleased anyway.  Always learning. 





Great fun and highly recommended.

[bdunbar79]

Obviously the Leica 1600mm lens described by pwp is the clear winner for an air show

[TexPhoto]

There is probably no lens you could not use at an air show.  From Fisheye to ultra telephoto, there are plenty of subjects to use them all.  Of what you listed I would not leave any behind.  I would take the monopod. 

5D3 focusing is good, and of course you can practice/experiment on passing cars.

Try and get some shots the other guys with the same better gear will not.  Guy poking his head out of the top of a C-130, etc.  Bring lots of cards and batteries...  Remember  the Show is not over until he fat lady is the last one sitting.

IMG_1660 by TexPhoto, on Flickr

[Stefan]

Here's my 5D MkIII with f2.8 300mmL II

Wow, those are awesome!