Today's Van Nuys Air Show

[poker]

This was my first air show. I rented a Canon 70-300 IS lens just for today.

http://www.lawa.org/vny/vnySpecialEvent.cfm

It wasn't how imagined but the experience will better prepare me for next time. Any of the following shots in the air are heavily PS'ed. Static shots came out fine, I think.

I'll post a few shots now and more in the next few hours with as much description as possible.

Thanks to everyeone who gave me advice in the Help forum for today's event.

1. U.S. Navy Legacy Flight, F-18 Hornet and F4U Corsair
2. Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving
3. F-22 Raptor

[poker]

F-18 Hornet

[poker]

Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving

[poker]

CURTISS P-40 WARHAWK
USA, 1940

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_P-40

[poker]

Los Angeles Fire Department Helicopter came in for a landing.

http://www.lafd.org/

[poker]

B-25 Mitchell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-25

[poker]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F6F_Hellcat

[Axle]

Nice shots there! I love the old WWII aircraft (Probably from all the hours I've logged in Combat Flight Simulator III). Personal favourite is the F-18 and the F4U, although I would've shot at a lower shutter speed to capture the prop movement, but that's just my opinion.

[another view]

I'd agree about the shutter speed with showing prop rotation, but it's not easy to do. It might take about 1/125 to blur it, but with a long lens that will be a slower shutter speed than you'll want to hand hold - especially with moving the camera around to keep the plane in the frame. That "IS" lens would help out a lot in this situation. I've only been to a couple of air shows so I didn't have much advice... But you did good!

[poker]

Nice shots there! I love the old WWII aircraft (Probably from all the hours I've logged in Combat Flight Simulator III). Personal favourite is the F-18 and the F4U, although I would've shot at a lower shutter speed to capture the prop movement, but that's just my opinion.

More classic aircraft photos will be posted (on the ground). I have a lot more.

I've read threads about slower shutters for prop movement. I didn't think about it yesterday since it was my first time at this.

Glad you like them, thanks.

[poker]

I'd agree about the shutter speed with showing prop rotation, but it's not easy to do. It might take about 1/125 to blur it, but with a long lens that will be a slower shutter speed than you'll want to hand hold - especially with moving the camera around to keep the plane in the frame. That "IS" lens would help out a lot in this situation. I've only been to a couple of air shows so I didn't have much advice... But you did good!

Thanks AV. Next time I'll rent (or own!) a lens with IS that goes to 400mm. I realize with my current photography interest, I'll need 400mm. I also like IS. It gave me more confidence. I'll remember that prop rotation issue next time.

[poker]

1. DC-3 in the background and a rare P-51 Mustang
2. Unknown Helicopter

[poker]

1. Convair Model 340
2. Bel 430

[poker]

Douglas "Dauntless"
Manufactured in 1941
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Dauntless

[poker]

MIG 15
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mig_15
The enemy plane!

[poker]

F-22 Raptor

[I_Fly]

I'd agree about the shutter speed with showing prop rotation, but it's not easy to do. It might take about 1/125 to blur it, but with a long lens that will be a slower shutter speed than you'll want to hand hold - especially with moving the camera around to keep the plane in the frame. That "IS" lens would help out a lot in this situation. I've only been to a couple of air shows so I didn't have much advice... But you did good!

I have to agree and disagree with AV.

1/125th is a great general purpose shutter speed for blurring props. I use it almost exclusively when shooting propellor driven aircraft. About the only time it's not slow enough is with an airplane with 4 (or more) blades and they've got the power pulled back. The prop will be rotating slow enough that 1/125 will almost freeze the prop.

I disagree with not being able to hand hold the lens at that shutter speed. I've got a whole website full of shots of airplanes shot with a 75-300 USM IS at 300mm and 1/125. You just need a steady hand and lots of practice. From what I've been reading about the 70-300 it should produce even better results than my 75-300.

BTW, I agree with AV...you done good!

[I_Fly]

Thanks AV. Next time I'll rent (or own!) a lens with IS that goes to 400mm. I realize with my current photography interest, I'll need 400mm. I also like IS. It gave me more confidence. I'll remember that prop rotation issue next time.

Hey Manacsa,

Nice shots, especially the statics. I've been shooting airshows with a 1D and 75-300 for several years and have been saving for a 100-400 for that extra 100mm. I think if you can get hold of one, it'll definitely help the shots of aircraft in flight, assuming you practice or shoot enough to get proficient at panning with a long lens at a relatively slow shutter speed!

Something to keep in mind with the IS, that depending on the mode, it's only going to help with a stationary position (mode 1 I think), or panning in a level horizontal motion (mode 2 I think). It may actually hurt your shots if you're moving in the vertical while shooting.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your airshow photos! Keep 'em coming!

[poker]

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your airshow photos! Keep 'em coming!

Thanks Troy. I enjoyed the experience and I look forward to the next.

The next one will be at the mother of all Cali airshows (well, at least I think it is). The Blue Angels will be there.

http://www.miramarairshow.com/

I was reading on mode 1 and 2 on the newer IS lenses. That would be a great thing to have.

[schrackman]

These are all great shots, Manasca!

You know, out of all six years of living in Reseda I never once was able to make it out to the air shows. I envy you!

[SirMike1983]

WWII aircraft look great there. I'm a CFS 3 and Over Flanders Fields buff as well. I love the WW 1 and WW 2 aircraft.

And the black Bell helicopter (the 222 version I think) is what they used in the old Airwolf series. That show rocked.

[poker]

These are all great shots, Manasca!

You know, out of all six years of living in Reseda I never once was able to make it out to the air shows. I envy you!

I'll remind you about next year. It's not hard to attend. Although they quote an average of 300k people show, it doesn't look like it and parking isn't difficult at all. Yeah, come over next year. It's a great photo opp.

Glad you like the pictures. Thanks.

[poker]

WWII aircraft look great there. I'm a CFS 3 and Over Flanders Fields buff as well. I love the WW 1 and WW 2 aircraft.

And the black Bell helicopter (the 222 version I think) is what they used in the old Airwolf series. That show rocked.

Thanks. Glad you like the shots.

Yes, I over heard people saying that the Bell on display was similar to the one on Airwolf. This particular Bell 430 was bling'ed inside with leather seats. It was like a luxury version.