Can I use an ipad to photograph at air shows?

I take my big lenses, but I don't take a tripod or "hog" the best viewing spots. Although sadly it seems many without cameras don't think others might like a look, but there we go. It just sits on my hip. No idea why having something sat on my hip is selfishness?

Actually I just pick a single lens too and take what I can with it, usually a few things are a tad close (helloooo camera phone). In fact taking a photo is a fraction of the time I spend looking - photos are nice for the future, but I want to actually look at things too! But some shots are impossible without a telephoto. I can see why tripods would be selfish due to the space they take up.

It was mostly that the ones I saw seemed unable to hold it still (which it appears takes 2 hands) and press to take a photo (seems like you need a third hand), I assume the button wasn't within easy reach. Camera phones just look easier? I never said there was anything wrong with it, just that they don't look comfy :)
 
cambsno said:
Well, this guy can! Was just about to delete from todays pics as didnt get it right but noticed the man at the bottom (well, he could have been videoing I guess).

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He's only holding the ipad up to let the guy behind him see the fantastic image on it. He's got a camranger attached to a 1dx with the new 200-400 zoom just out of sight, ready for take-off. ;) He was fed up with being called a self important whatsitorother as he stood with the big camera and lens mounted on the tripod so decided an impersonation of a happysnapper was in order. :p

I have an ipad and find it very cumbersome for taking photo's. I really wouldn't like to be using it as my main camera.
I haven't been to an airshow but when we go to the zoo I take my dslr with 70-300 lens, and next time it'll be the same unless I can get a larger zoom. I get in the way no more than the person standing next to me with the compact camera, well maybe a little more but that's just because I'm wider than them anyway. I also have a compact with wide angle if I need it.
 
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littlemonster said:
I take my big lenses, but I don't take a tripod or "hog" the best viewing spots. Although sadly it seems many without cameras don't think others might like a look, but there we go. It just sits on my hip. No idea why having something sat on my hip is selfishness?
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Nobody said it was. I said taking a tripod, big aperture telephotos and hogging viewing spots for ages was selfish.
I'm not talking about a 200mm f/5.6 telephoto. I'm talking about the guys who turn up with big f/2.8 300mm things the size of my thigh.
They should ban the latter like they do for punters at some sporting events.
 
stu.artd said:
He's only holding the ipad up to let the guy behind him see the fantastic image on it. He's got a camranger attached to a 1dx with the new 200-400 zoom just out of sight, ready for take-off. ;) He was fed up with being called a self important whatsitorother as he stood with the big camera and lens mounted on the tripod so decided an impersonation of a happysnapper was in order. :p

I have an ipad and find it very cumbersome for taking photo's. I really wouldn't like to be using it as my main camera.
I haven't been to an airshow but when we go to the zoo I take my dslr with 70-300 lens, and next time it'll be the same unless I can get a larger zoom. I get in the way no more than the person standing next to me with the compact camera, well maybe a little more but that's just because I'm wider than them anyway. I also have a compact with wide angle if I need it.
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I will say one thing - if you're walking around with a large zoom (150-500 at one zoo) you do get comments and questions from your happy snapper DSLR owners, especially when the water is reflecting and their photos aren't coming out right because they only use auto. Or because they've changed a setting and are hoping you can fix it. :lol:


Yes, I did help, I is a nice person most of the time. :)


Edit: Fair enough ghoti. My 150-500 isn't that big. Totally want a 400mm f4.
 
I think that cameraphones, iPads and the likes are not as capable as a dslr. That is not to say that they are incapable. I have seen very good iPad photos and poor dslr photos.
I do however think that people should not inconvenience others around them by holding iPads and the likes above them at these events. Gigs nowadays are awash with people holding cameras up blocking the people behind them.
Camera users by reason of having to look through the viewfinder are less obstructive as the camera is lower and inline with their head.

Martin
 
Bigmp said:
I think that cameraphones, iPads and the likes are not as capable as a dslr. That is not to say that they are incapable. I have seen very good iPad photos and poor dslr photos.
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Considering its almost impossible he was taking photos I don't suppose the image quality really matters. The video capability of an iPad or iPhone is actually pretty good, so he would probably get decent HD video of the scene.
 
Dave1 said:
Considering its almost impossible he was taking photos I don't suppose the image quality really matters. The video capability of an iPad or iPhone is actually pretty good, so he would probably get decent HD video of the scene.
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Agree, but I would argue that anyone with an iPad will probably have an iPhone (or a galaxy or good Sony) so isn't it easier to use that rather than an iPad?
 
cambsno said:
Agree, but I would argue that anyone with an iPad will probably have an iPhone (or a galaxy or good Sony) so isn't it easier to use that rather than an iPad?
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Most definitely, I was just trying to correct the wrong perception of many that the person was taking photos, you would need to hold the iPad out in front of you, not above your head, as the shutter release is an onscreen button on the iPad.

It would be impossible to hold it above your head and get to the release to actually take a photo.
 
ghoti said:
Yours is an argument against taking photographs, not an argument against taking photographs with an ipad.
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That's true. I usually use this as argument against the constant videoing of events rather than taking still pictures.

I have seen many fathers with a video camera filming first birthday parties, etc. All they ever get to see is a third rate version of it without actually participating in the actual event.


Steve.
 
cambsno said:
Agree, but I would argue that anyone with an iPad will probably have an iPhone (or a galaxy or good Sony) so isn't it easier to use that rather than an iPad?
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I have an iPad... and I don't have a smart phone of any kind.
 
I have an iPad and an old Blackberry with poor camera. Both are easy to use to take photos but by using the Pad I can actually see the photo, edit the photo etc,. much more easily than on a tiny Blackberry screen.

I don't actually use either to take photos, I hook a 30" monitor up to my camera and put it on a 6 foot high stand so I can really block everyones view. Oh how the people behind me laugh.
 
cambsno said:
Agree, but I would argue that anyone with an iPad will probably have an iPhone (or a galaxy or good Sony) so isn't it easier to use that rather than an iPad?
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No doubt you've done your research to back that up.......

No? Oh what a surprise. Who's next in your line of fire? Compact camera owners?
 
The only problem that I can see with this, is that he is obscuring the view for the people behind him, and if he did that with every plane taking off then it would be really annoying.
Generally speaking though, is there anything wrong with someone taking a picture with an Ipad/mobile phone/small compact camera?
This is all just a result of progress, the onward march of technology, something which has been very good indeed for us photographers.
 
absolutely no more nonsense in this thread please. We're really getting fed up of it.
 
People can take photos with whatever they wish, it's their choice to make although I do agree it's really quite selfish to hold a tablet up like in the OP's example at an event like an air show. It can be awkward enough trying to get a decent spot without getting in the way of others without people doing things like this.

That said, people using such devices can give some interesting photo opportunities for us more 'conventional' shooters. This was taken in Manchester last Sunday and although the shot doesn't work in any way, shape or form due to the very bright background, reflections on the tablet's screen, etc, the idea's there and I'll be trying it again at some point.

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My dad uses his phone exclusively. I gave him a really good compact but he's not bothered about it. He says his phone is always with him so he's got loads of snaps he wouldn't have got, and he can look at them straight away. They're just there, he says.

I think he's got the perfect camera for himself and he uses it just how he wants. For himself. The iPad guy probably does the same. Do you think professional racing drivers look at us amateurs in our Fords and Toyotas and discuss how crap the drive must be? No, because we have those cars for A-B, just like non-photographers just have a camera for duckfacing with their mates.
 
tablets are a amusing form factor for picture and video taking
most endearing is a folder, in my experience.
 
Maybe its just me, but I find seeing people take photos with an iPad looks hilarious, just seems like completely the wrong tool for the job - but then I equally find it amusing and bizarre to see people at museums and events (that have no requirement for telephoto shots) lugging around DSLRs with massive lenses on.
 
Tim R-T-C said:
Maybe its just me, but I find seeing people take photos with an iPad looks hilarious, just seems like completely the wrong tool for the job - but then I equally find it amusing and bizarre to see people at museums and events (that have no requirement for telephoto shots) lugging around DSLRs with massive lenses on.
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I find it funny too, but a photography forum isn't the right place to laugh about it apparently.
 
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