Military Aircraft: airshows, operational, whatever, lets see what you have!

[zim]

Hi Zim.
No experience of the Scottish Airshow, but my recollection (and I'll confess I wasn't really studying) of the approach to Bournemouth is, it varies, probably to suit displays, I think most came in along the coast, but some approached from the sea and turned. So it may not be as cut and dried as you are hoping.
Hope this helps.

Cheers, Graham.

Thanks Graham I suspect your correct I'll go to the green.
Looks like weather is going to be kind, looking forward to it!

Regards

 

[Viper28]

Hi Simon.
It is quite a heavy crop, smaller than I usually like, but that was where the pilot chose do it and I had not seen so much vapour during that manoeuvre on the previous day's.
It was rather good, they gave us the anniversary livery Friday and Saturday and the Camo Special on the Sunday, do you think someone plans this!

Graham, that first Typhoon shoot is excellent I'd be proud to have that esp.mas it's the camo special 8)

The RAF plan ahead.... Never! In most cases it's simply serviceability of the jets. 29(r) actually currently have 4 special painted jets they can draw on plus the dozen or so line jets. The camo jet is usually reserved for the synchro display with the Spitfire

 

[GuyF]

Hi Zim.
No experience of the Scottish Airshow, but my recollection (and I'll confess I wasn't really studying) of the approach to Bournemouth is, it varies, probably to suit displays, I think most came in along the coast, but some approached from the sea and turned. So it may not be as cut and dried as you are hoping.
Hope this helps.

Cheers, Graham.

Thanks Graham I suspect your correct I'll go to the green.
Looks like weather is going to be kind, looking forward to it!

Regards

Zim,

Ask about flight lines here (someone should know): http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=62858&start=225

See you on the beach tomorrow!

 

[Erik X]

The legend..

 

[RustyTheGeek]

I know this has been discussed before but just for grins, what shutter/aperture/ISO settings are you aviation gurus using for the prop planes (for a bit of prop blur) and then other things like jets (optimum sharpness, DOF, etc.)? Does anyone use any CPL or other modifiers to help with contrast, DR, etc? Just looking for some simple answers.

 

[Click]

The legend..

Yes indeed.

Beautiful pictures, Erik.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Erik.
Two very nice shots there, the wheels down canopy open is a good look.

Cheers, Graham.

The legend..

 

[Viper28]

I know this has been discussed before but just for grins, what shutter/aperture/ISO settings are you aviation gurus using for the prop planes (for a bit of prop blur) and then other things like jets (optimum sharpness, DOF, etc.)? Does anyone use any CPL or other modifiers to help with contrast, DR, etc? Just looking for some simple answers.

My general Rules of Thumb are:

I usually shoot TV with Auto ISO, Evaluative metering with +1/3rd EV. I always shoot with multiple AF points active, usually the centre zone, don't usually think about DOF if it's in the air as I'm never usually close enough that a focus on the cockpit want cover everything in frame.

First the easy one: jets. I shot them from 1/800th upwards, the faster modern solo jets usually at 1/1250th up, not so much for there speed (panning covers a lot if that) but there rapid changes of angle.

Props are a lot harder to judge,mbasically the larger the prop the slower the shutter speed needed. So Spitfire class planes 1/320th to 1/400th will give acceptable prop blur. DC3's and C130 sized your down to 1/200th, helicopters 1/125th or less. For full disks, on say a C130 I'd be as low as 1/60th.

I don't generally use a CLP, I'd rather keep the extra stop and correct in post.

 

[Erik X]

Thanks Click and Graham!
A well-polished North American AT-16 does not compete with a Spitfire but it looks nice too
Skavsta Airport, Sweden 2015-08-30

 

[bluemoon]

anybody going to the Cleveland show this weekend?
It's been quite a while since we had the T-birds here. I think last 10 years or so it's been the BA and one year even had both!

pierre

 

[RustyTheGeek]

I know this has been discussed before but just for grins, what shutter/aperture/ISO settings are you aviation gurus using for the prop planes (for a bit of prop blur) and then other things like jets (optimum sharpness, DOF, etc.)? Does anyone use any CPL or other modifiers to help with contrast, DR, etc? Just looking for some simple answers.

My general Rules of Thumb are:

I usually shoot TV with Auto ISO, Evaluative metering with +1/3rd EV. I always shoot with multiple AF points active, usually the centre zone, don't usually think about DOF if it's in the air as I'm never usually close enough that a focus on the cockpit want cover everything in frame.

First the easy one: jets. I shot them from 1/800th upwards, the faster modern solo jets usually at 1/1250th up, not so much for there speed (panning covers a lot if that) but there rapid changes of angle.

Props are a lot harder to judge,mbasically the larger the prop the slower the shutter speed needed. So Spitfire class planes 1/320th to 1/400th will give acceptable prop blur. DC3's and C130 sized your down to 1/200th, helicopters 1/125th or less. For full disks, on say a C130 I'd be as low as 1/60th.

I don't generally use a CLP, I'd rather keep the extra stop and correct in post.

Sweet! Thanks Viper28! Just what I was asking for! Now at a future time I'll know exactly what it is I can't remember when I want/need to know it!

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Rusty.
Here is one of mine, settings included, with a bit of prop blur, just enough that it doesn't look like it is broken down looking for a layby, fast enough shutter that I got a keeper. Possibly more luck than judgement. ;D

7D with EF 70-200 f2.8L IS II WITH 2x III @ 400mm, f10, 1/500s, ISO 400, AI Servo, Spot Metering, Aperture Priority, Subject Distance 655.35 m.
IMG_6439_DxO by Graham Stretch, on Flickr

Cheers, Graham.

I know this has been discussed before but just for grins, what shutter/aperture/ISO settings are you aviation gurus using for the prop planes (for a bit of prop blur) and then other things like jets (optimum sharpness, DOF, etc.)? Does anyone use any CPL or other modifiers to help with contrast, DR, etc? Just looking for some simple answers.

 

[Roo]

I know this has been discussed before but just for grins, what shutter/aperture/ISO settings are you aviation gurus using for the prop planes (for a bit of prop blur) and then other things like jets (optimum sharpness, DOF, etc.)? Does anyone use any CPL or other modifiers to help with contrast, DR, etc? Just looking for some simple answers.

My general Rules of Thumb are:

I usually shoot TV with Auto ISO, Evaluative metering with +1/3rd EV. I always shoot with multiple AF points active, usually the centre zone, don't usually think about DOF if it's in the air as I'm never usually close enough that a focus on the cockpit want cover everything in frame.

First the easy one: jets. I shot them from 1/800th upwards, the faster modern solo jets usually at 1/1250th up, not so much for there speed (panning covers a lot if that) but there rapid changes of angle.

Props are a lot harder to judge,mbasically the larger the prop the slower the shutter speed needed. So Spitfire class planes 1/320th to 1/400th will give acceptable prop blur. DC3's and C130 sized your down to 1/200th, helicopters 1/125th or less. For full disks, on say a C130 I'd be as low as 1/60th.

I don't generally use a CLP, I'd rather keep the extra stop and correct in post.

+1 for that shooting info

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Erik.
Nice shots, maybe not as glamorous as a Spit, but it served a useful purpose. It is not a plane I've seen displayed at an airshow, but I've not been to many.

Cheers, Graham.

Thanks Click and Graham!
A well-polished North American AT-16 does not compete with a Spitfire but it looks nice too
Skavsta Airport, Sweden 2015-08-30

 

[Click]

My general Rules of Thumb are:

I usually shoot TV with Auto ISO, Evaluative metering with +1/3rd EV. I always shoot with multiple AF points active, usually the centre zone, don't usually think about DOF if it's in the air as I'm never usually close enough that a focus on the cockpit want cover everything in frame.

First the easy one: jets. I shot them from 1/800th upwards, the faster modern solo jets usually at 1/1250th up, not so much for there speed (panning covers a lot if that) but there rapid changes of angle.

Props are a lot harder to judge,mbasically the larger the prop the slower the shutter speed needed. So Spitfire class planes 1/320th to 1/400th will give acceptable prop blur. DC3's and C130 sized your down to 1/200th, helicopters 1/125th or less. For full disks, on say a C130 I'd be as low as 1/60th.

I don't generally use a CLP, I'd rather keep the extra stop and correct in post.

Thank you for this valuable information.

 

[Valvebounce]

My general Rules of Thumb are:

I usually shoot TV with Auto ISO, Evaluative metering with +1/3rd EV. I always shoot with multiple AF points active, usually the centre zone, don't usually think about DOF if it's in the air as I'm never usually close enough that a focus on the cockpit want cover everything in frame.

First the easy one: jets. I shot them from 1/800th upwards, the faster modern solo jets usually at 1/1250th up, not so much for there speed (panning covers a lot if that) but there rapid changes of angle.

Props are a lot harder to judge,mbasically the larger the prop the slower the shutter speed needed. So Spitfire class planes 1/320th to 1/400th will give acceptable prop blur. DC3's and C130 sized your down to 1/200th, helicopters 1/125th or less. For full disks, on say a C130 I'd be as low as 1/60th.

I don't generally use a CLP, I'd rather keep the extra stop and correct in post.

Thank you for this valuable information.

+1

 

[RustyTheGeek]

Hi Rusty.
Here is one of mine, settings included, with a bit of prop blur, just enough that it doesn't look like it is broken down looking for a layby, fast enough shutter that I got a keeper. Possibly more luck than judgement. ;D

7D with EF 70-200 f2.8L IS II WITH 2x III @ 400mm, f10, 1/500s, ISO 400, AI Servo, Spot Metering, Aperture Priority, Subject Distance 655.35 m.

Cheers, Graham.

I know this has been discussed before but just for grins, what shutter/aperture/ISO settings are you aviation gurus using for the prop planes (for a bit of prop blur) and then other things like jets (optimum sharpness, DOF, etc.)? Does anyone use any CPL or other modifiers to help with contrast, DR, etc? Just looking for some simple answers.

Thanks Graham! Although, I really think that the plane is probably only 651 meters away. ;D

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Rusty.
I'll have to take your word on that, I'm a feet and inches man myself. : ;D

Cheers, Graham.

Thanks Graham! Although, I really think that the plane is probably only 651 meters away. ;D

 

[KeithBreazeal]

My plan is to shoot the first pass of a prop plane at a 400th, then step down through the speeds after getting good crisp shots. The expense of traveling and time spent at the show would be wasted without at least one good clean shot.
I have cut out most of the shows where I have shot into the sun and crappy sky. There are exceptions to the rule, but only when the lineup is something I haven't seen before. Good example is the Chino Planes of Fame.
Jets are shot at 1000th-1600th depending on the light and lens. When using the 100-400, I go into Auto ISO mode to avoid running out of f stops- something I have done way too many times.
The real fun starts when the sky has a mix of props and jets. This is one of those "how fast can you change between settings" situations. I have plenty of blurry jets and frozen props to deal with over the years.
I have considered setting C2 for props & C3 for jets.

Then there are other subjects to deal with...

Nevada County AirFest 2015 Laura 0508 © Keith Breazeal by Keith Breazeal, on Flickr

 

[Erik X]

De Havilland DH-100 Vampire, known as J28 in the Swedish airforce 1946-1952
And a Mitsubishi MU-2 currently in us for target towing..
Skavsta airport, Sweden 2015-08-30