Airshow Kit

scottV · September 27, 2011

Heading to the Miramar air show this weekend and still trying to decide what to bring. For bodies I will probably bring both my 40d and 5dmkII but can't decide on which tele lens. I have 70-200 2.8 and 100-400 4.5-5.6. Would definitely prefer not to lug around the 100-400 if possible, do you think 200 will be enough reach on the 5d?

ziggy53 · September 27, 2011

In a word, "No", I do not think that you should leave the EF 100-400mm, f4.5-5.6L IS USM behind. At my last airshow I used a Canon 5D MKII with a standard zoom for the planes on the ground. For the planes in the air I used a Canon 40D with a Sigma 50-500mm, f4.5-6.3 DG HSM (older lens). I was happy to have the extra reach for anything in the air. (I would have preferred to have had the Canon 100-400mL, TBH. My Sigma "Bigma" just isn't the best at the longest lengths, although it is quite nice on the 5D-MKII.)

My "trick" was to wear an old pair of jeans with a coin pocket. I had the 40D/Bigma strap over my chest and off to the right side, but the lens' "foot" was hooked onto the coin pocket of the jeans, putting the weight onto my hips. I walked around for hours with no sitting down and no resting, and it really wasn't too bad.

I had the 5D-MKII/28-80L in front for the ground images and people stuff.

I also had a full "slinger" style backpack on my back and a tripod with a video head, to show you what a glutton for punishment I was.

I used the tripod/video head for the flyout video, using the 5D-MKII as the video capture device. (They did a record setting DC-3 formation that day.)

The "belle of the ball" by far was the "Esther Mae", currently owned by DC3 Flying Circus. She was built in December, 1945, and is one of only 28 - DC3 3D airplanes ever made. She is believed to be the only flying copy that survives today.

While the owners were not allowing most people aboard, they noticed me out there 2 days in a row, loaded with equipment, and the owners allowed me a rare glimpse of the inside (spoiler alert, it is gorgeous, inside and out

... and a 100 percent crop:

scottV · September 27, 2011

Thanks ziggy, think it is safe to leave the 70-200 home? Trying to simplify as much as possible but maybe rather be safe than sorry.

ziggy53 · September 27, 2011

I would leave the decision up to the weather and the time-of-day. If it's sunny or cloudy-bright then yes, I think you could do with the 100-400mmL and leave the 70-200mm, f2.8L at home (or in the trunk, if you dare).

If the day is dull and dreary then the 70-200mm, f2.8 would have use (and the 100-400mm would be less useful.) If you have to shoot late in the day or at night, the faster lens for sure.

pathfinder · September 29, 2011

I'm with Ziggy. 200mm is tho short.

I shoot air shows with a 7D with my Tamron 200-500mm, and a 5DMkii with a 24-105 IS L. One long and one wide, nothing else really needed. If they will let you use a tripod, bring it, but I never seem to be where tripods are permitted at air shows.

Nikolai · September 29, 2011

Airshows: you need both very long and very wide.
I'd get 40d + 100-400 and 5D + widest WA you have.
70-200 is not for this type of events, unless your primary subjects are people in the crowd..
To get prop blur (instead of freeze-frame) for the flybys set Shutter Priority around 1/100s. Any slower and you'd have image smudged, especially if they show P3 mustangs (those guys are FAST).
For Jets you woulldn't have that issue, so shoot at highest shutter speed (I would even tweak ISO to 400).
In this kind of situations I usually prepare User settings for varios scenarios: normal, "prop plane", "jet" - somehting like that - so I don't waste time fiddling with the settings.

HTH

Airshow Kit

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