Air show

[Chunkey Monkey]

Ive got a couple of tickets for waddington this year. Not having been to an Air show before im wondering if a canon 70 200mm f4L will be big enough ??

 

[Flightphoto]

I've used it plenty of times without issue Mark, I even take it to the Goodwood revival for the Spits and Mustang flights etc!
I believe there might be a guide on here somewhere regarding Airshow photography

 

[Chunkey Monkey]

I've used it plenty of times without issue Mark, I even take it to the Goodwood revival for the Spits and Mustang flights etc!
I believe there might be a guide on here somewhere regarding Airshow photography

Thanks Dave.

 

[Hazza]

Maybe for the big stuff, not so much the fighters though. I'm taking experience from Duxford though so the flightline may be different at Waddington.

Maybe look at getting a 1.4x converter, my old 70-200F4L took one well and it's a relatively inexpensive option

 

[Flightphoto]

That's true, match the L with a canon Ex and you should be ok with that, I tend to use the 70-200 F2.8L these days! Unless you have enough time to go and buy the 100-400mm

 

[modchild]

I was at Waddington last year and was right at the front of the crowd. I had a Sigma 150-500 OS on my 5D3 and the wifes Sigma 120-400 OS on my 60D. TBH I think most of the shots I took, apart from the larger planes, were at 300mm or longer. If you can get hold of a 1.4x extender before you go you'll get an equivalent of 280mm and with the advantage of a crop you might find you're about there.

If you're struggling to get an extender before the show I could always lend you mine for the day if you need to.

I've ordered tickets today for both saturday and sunday this year so it wont be a problem to borrow an extender either day, but another good offer from Mark as well. Makes a change to see a nice friendly thread for a change.

 

[PMN]

Hi Mark,

I've used my 70-200L on APS-C cameras at Waddo quite a few times and for general shooting of aircraft on the runway you should be fine. It probably won't give you much in the way of close-ups of smaller displaying aircraft so you might want to look into hiring a TC or even a 100-400L for those but the 70-200 should be fine for most stuff.

These are uncropped from my 70-200L and old 30D, shot from the fence line and give a rough idea of what you can expect.

94mm:

109mm:

145mm:

149mm:

Also 149mm:

200mm:

Try get in early and secure a decent place by the fence, you're pretty close to the runway at Waddington so the fence line gives great views. I didn't manage to get there last year but I want to try go this year, let's just hope for good weather!

 

[Chunkey Monkey]

Thanks for all the replies guys, Some great shots there Paul. Stuart (Modchild) thats a very generous offer.

 

[markmullen]

On a crop body the 70-200 will be OK for Waddington, better if you can pop a 1.4x converter on it.

As Stuart, I'll be there this year, and am using my 100-400 so won't be needing my 1.4x for the day, if Stuart isn't there on the same day as you're going I might be so I'll offer to lend you mine, another backup.

I shot these on my 100-400 on full frame at 400mm, with your 1.6x crop, a 1.4x extender and a 70-200 you're looking at the equivalent of 448mm so tighter than this if necessary.


Saudi Hawks at Waddington 2012 by mark_mullen, on Flickr


Eurofighter Afterburner by mark_mullen, on Flickr