Discussion
rasputin said:
May be going to an Airshow soon.
Would like to try and get some good shots with my Sony A300 (kit lense only).
Any tips for aerial shots? I would guess long zoom, with the quickest shutter and least wide aperture that the weather allows...?
A general tip from me, if you're shooting Jets then open up your aperture as wide as it will allow, F5.6 or similar. If you're shooting Props such as warbirds I'd recommend going into shutter priority and using a max speed of 1/320 of a sec (but try slower speeds too). Much more than this and you'll freeze the props.Would like to try and get some good shots with my Sony A300 (kit lense only).
Any tips for aerial shots? I would guess long zoom, with the quickest shutter and least wide aperture that the weather allows...?
Also get as much panning practice you can. Try and aim for a nice smooth side to side action and squeeze gently on the shutter button as you move.
If you have one, a 300mm lens will be ideal and with the 1.5x crop from your sensor this should equal 450mm in film terms
You've in body IS, that might need to be disabled if you're having to pan with the aircraft.
As the kit lens doesn't shoot longer than 50mm my first advice would be rent a lens. You'll get nothing useful of anything in the air at that range.
Last airshow I was at some one was shooting with a 500mm f/4 prime. I hate to think what that cost
As the kit lens doesn't shoot longer than 50mm my first advice would be rent a lens. You'll get nothing useful of anything in the air at that range.
Last airshow I was at some one was shooting with a 500mm f/4 prime. I hate to think what that cost
rasputin said:
Just the 18-70mm kit lens.
No funds at the moment for new lenses or even hire.
Was hoping to get something at least a bit recognisable at 70mm...?
I think you will really struggle to get anything of reasonable size unless things like Airbus A380's are flying. For small aircraft such as Spitfires, other than the outline not much chance of anything decent i'm afraid.No funds at the moment for new lenses or even hire.
Was hoping to get something at least a bit recognisable at 70mm...?
Do you know anyone else that has either a Sony (or old Minolta a/f) lens that you could borrow for the day?
Edited to ask, which airshow were you attending??
Edited by 350Wedge on Wednesday 3rd June 17:31
Even my old 400 prime was only useful at display line - anything further away was a waste of time.
Forgot about that show though - tempted to pop up, but I've only got a 50mm these days and it's a bit late to rent a lens from anyone other than Calumet (who ask for a full-value deposit
)
Hmm...
Forgot about that show though - tempted to pop up, but I've only got a 50mm these days and it's a bit late to rent a lens from anyone other than Calumet (who ask for a full-value deposit
)Hmm...
Edited by Famous Graham on Thursday 4th June 12:58
Col 666 said:
Might pop along with my son for a bit if this weather holds.
Ah! It's just clicked..."with my son"
"Occupation: Photographer"
You'll have been the guy with the son and a lens the size of my arm!
The one I was standing behind for ages because you were sitting and I could get pictures over your head
Edited by rasputin on Saturday 6th June 22:06
rasputin said:
Col 666 said:
Might pop along with my son for a bit if this weather holds.
Ah! It's just clicked..."with my son"
"Occupation: Photographer"
You'll have been the guy with the son and a lens the size of my arm!
The one I was standing behind for ages because you were sitting and I could get pictures over your head
Edited by rasputin on Saturday 6th June 22:06
hman said:
That spit looks fake, something about its size and the air intake above the spinner...
It's a Mk26 Spit - a modern scale replica kit using the Supermarine name.http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/About.htm
Famous Graham said:
It's a great feeling when you nail a Dead Sparrow crossover with both in the frame, isn't it 
It might be... What's a Dead Sparrow crossover?? 
Col666 (or anyone), any tips for the next time on how to improve?
My photos aren't the sharpest at full-size, but look ok when reduced a little - is that just normal for a cheap lens at full zoom? Or was some other setting/hand-shake at fault? Shutter speed for most was 1/400 or faster and IS switched off.
I'm glad I had exposure bracketing on - my chosen exposure settings looked good on the camera's display, but on the computer only the "overexposed" ones looked right.
rasputin said:
Famous Graham said:
It's a great feeling when you nail a Dead Sparrow crossover with both in the frame, isn't it
It might be... What's a Dead Sparrow crossover?? 
Red Arrow = Dead Sparrow.
You're right to turn off IS if you're panning horizontally and the IS on that lens has a panning mode. Otherwise, leave it on.
Turn on AI Servo on your body's AF mechanism - you can then prefocus on an approaching plane and keep the button half pressed as it approaches and it'll keep focus lock on that plane. Eats up the battery but worth it for those shots.
Edited by Famous Graham on Sunday 7th June 20:26
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